Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1917-06-19
AMERICA READY
TO PAY THE COST,
LANSING STATES
I'VE Have Cast Our Lot, |"
Secretary Says at Princeton
Commencement, Where De-
greeS Are Conferred

PRINCETON, ". j., June 16.-America
has counted the cost in entering the
war and is ready to pay the price, no
matter how great the sacrifice, to Sc
cure world triumph of democracy over
absolutism and the crushing of Prussian
despotism. Secretary Of State Lansing
said today at the one hundred SEVENTEEN
commencement of Princeton university,
at which Mr.. Lansing was one of those
upon whom the honorary degree of doc
tor of laws was conferred, including
ambassadors and ministers of the al
lied countries at war with Germany.
Herbert c. Hoover and others. as a part
of a patriotic demonstration on the steps
of historic Nassau hall.
I'VE have cast our lot with the brave
nations which are lighting for democra-
cy," he said. I'VE have taken up the
sword and will not lay 1t down until
Prussian despotism has yielded to the
united democracies of the world, and
the liberty of America with Europe and
Asia is made sure for all time"
NJ. Jusserand, French ambassador to
the United States, who also received
degree, who acted as spokesman for the
allied diplomats, in acknowledging the
honor, said the French people had been
revived by the action of America.
I'VE have faith in omens," he said,
''and we remember that America has
never lost a war"
War conditions cut deep into the pro-
gram and many degrees were conferred
in absentia as the recipients are in train
ing camps or already in war service
abroad. Seniors who obtained furloughs
were in military uniform when they re-
ceived their degrees. conferred in Alex
ander hall.
Secretary Lansing said in part:
This war in which we are engaged
is a war for democracy. 1t is a war OF
free. self-governing peoples against the
despotic rulers of Germany who want to
enslave the world as they have enslaved
their own people and their unfortunate
allies The imperial German govern
ment is possessed and has long been
possessed by the lust Of world dominion.
I'VE have taken up the sword and,
with Gods help. we will not lay it down
until Prussian despotism has yielded to
the united demOcracies of the world, and
the liberty of Europe, the liberty Of
America, the liberty Of Asia is made
sure for all. time. No sacrifice is too
great to accomplish this great purpose.
We entered the war deliberately. We
have counted the cost, and we are ready
TO pay the price. There can be but one
end to this titanic struggle. the triumph
STAKE is FREEDOM.
zone hundred and forty years ago
American freedom was at stake. Today
the stake is the freedom Of the world. As
we won then, so will we win now. 1t
cannot be otherwise, for the peoples who
love liberty have determined that in the
years to come justice and righteousness
shall be supreme on earth"
Ambassador Jusserand said in part:
'In behalf of my colleagues all of US
representing countries where the allies
Of the United States are fighting for
liberty against depotism. This honor is
particularly dear to our hearts, coming
from this illustrious and historical uni
versity of Princeton, one of the oldest,
one of the greatest, one of the most IA
nous, whose very life is a sort of en-
blem and part of the life of your great
country. Its splendid present promises
an even more splendid future, and Its
past is dotted with famous names in
American history. You have Woodrow
Wilson, whose day has now come, and
who in his turn has pronounced words
which have been heard around the
world.
France you honor not because of me,
but because of the battle of the Marine.
Verdun and Joffre, and England be-
cause of Bagdad. Vimy Ridge and Ypres,
and only yesterday of Messines; Italy
for Carso and Trentino; Japan for Kiau-
Chiau and Portugal who has entered
the war and will risk everything and
join in the fight for liberty.
I'VE are in this war, we shall con-
tinue until the end. We did not lose so
many Of our kin not to continue it until
the enemy is vanquished We fight that
nations, large and small, may be given
a free government. We fight in order
that the world in the future will not
know the sufferings of Poland, Bohemia
or Syria or Alsace-Lorraine suffering
under the heat of a hated enemy, that
such things may exist no more.
THE best proof OF the future is the
past We accept the omen, America has
never lost a war"