The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1917-07-09
RED, WHITE AND BLUE BOOK

The Red, White and Blue book,
"How the War Came to America" +"
has been issued by the committee on
public information at Washington. 1t
lis of special interest to holders Of
liberty bonds, as they are assisting
in financing the war. 1t is a docu-
ment all students of this country's
affairs should read.
It's contents are % pages of intro
ductory historical matter, with the
address of President Wilson to the
senate on January %, 1917, and his
address to the joint session Of the
houses of congress on April an
Inouncing the severance of diplomatic
relations with Germany and asking
that a state of war between the
United States and Germany be recog-
|nized.
The traditional policy of the
United States, always strictly ad-
hered to, in abstaining from any en-
tangling alliances and participation
in European controversies is set out
ably, with citations of incidents and
documents in proof.
The position of the United States
in the summer of 1914 is summar-
lied as follows:
1. The Monroe doctrine.-We
had pledged ourselves to defend the
new world from European aggres-
sion, and we had by word and deed
made it clear that we would not in
tervene in any European dispute.
"2. The freedom of the seas
In every naval conference our infiu-
ence had been given in support of
the principle that sea law to be just
and worthy of general respect must
be based on the consent of the gov
erned.
8. Arbitration. we had Sc
cured peace at home by referring in
terstate disputes to federal tri-
bunal, we urged a similar settlement
of international controversies. Our
ideal was permanent world court.
We had already signed arbitration
treaties not only with great powers
which might conceivably attack us,
but even more freely with weaker
neighbors in order to show our good
faith in recognizing the equality OF
all nations both great and small"
The attitude of this country to-
ward Germany and the other nations
at war is evidenced by the presi-
lent's proclamation Of neutrality and
It's reception by the people. Ques-
lions which arose between the en-
tete allies and the United States in
volved only property and properly
rights and were covered by arDltra-
ion treaties. Questions that arose
between the Teutonic allies and this
country involved irreparable loss OF
ife. and thru their refusal to make
arbitration treaties were not subject
o compulsory arbitration.
The course of the imperial Ger
nan government in this country ana
n Mexico and other countries OF this
hemisphere, its deceit, secret machin- II
ltions, and overt acts of hostility II
re reviewed and the patience and
he forbearance of the president and
he American government demon
trated.
The pamphlet summarizes the
vents leading to the entrance OF the !
United States into the war with Ger
nany. The exact condition Of affairs s
{ the time of the delivery Of the
residents war message is set out
nd the course of the president and 9
he nation justified by the recital of
acts now known to all.
The revolution in Russia, it Is said
lade the course of the United States
luch palmer and converted the :
hole conflict into real struggle :
hat the world must be made safe
)r democracy.