The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1917-03-06
Wilson Says America Must
Claim Right and Freedom
in World Affairs.
IN ARMED NEUTRALITY
AMERICA TO STAND
America Cannot Be Indiffer-
ent to War-President and
Marshall Take Oath.

Washington, March 5.-Woodrow
Wilson, with the major part Of world
at war and America poised on its
verge, consecrated his second inaugu-
ration mn president OF the United
States with n last message Of hope for
peace.
The president renewed his oath of
allegiance to the constitution praying
to God that he might be given wisdom
and prudence to do his duty in the
true spirit OF the American people.
"Firm in Armed Neutrality"
He pictured the deep wrongs the
United States patiently had borne in
the conflict of other peoples without
wishing to wrong or injure in return.
Asserting that the tragedies of an
other continent had removed pro-
vincialism and made Americans, citi-
zens of the world and that the prin-
ciples Of this republic should be ap-
plieds to a liberation of mankind, he
resoldtely voiced a determination that
America standing "firm In armed neu-
trality" must demonstrate her claim
to minimum of right and freedom of
action in the world affairs.
Peculiar interest and Significance in
the light OF his rebuke last night to
senator's who prevented the passage Of
the armed neutrality bill. were at
tached to the presidents assertion on
this point. Even more interest and
concern we're aroused wher he added:
I'VE. may even be drawn on by cir
cumstances, not by our own purpose or
iesife. to a more active assertion of
our rights as we see them and a more
immediate associate with the great
struggle itself. But nothing will alter
our thought or our purpose. We de-
sire neither conquest nor advantage.
We wish nothing that can be had only
at the cost of another people. We
have always professed unselfish pur-
pose. and we covet the opportunity to
prove that our professions are sin
cere"
Speaks OF Future.
Making no attempt to review the leg
islative record OF the last four years,
the president said that this was no
time for retrospection. The time was
one to speak of thoughts and purposes
for the immediate future. To be in
different to the Influence of the war
upon ATerica or Independent OF it. he
said, was impossible and he was firm
in the conviction that the part this
country wished to play in the vital
turmoil was the part of those S"who
meaf, to vindicate and fortify peace"
These were the dominant thoughts
OF the president as he addressed the
cheering multitude IN the broad plaza
of the capitol grounds. In. the as
semblage before him American citi-
zens Of all nations had sung "Amer-
ica' with a mighty voice, while wait.
ing for his nnpearanco on the inaugu- y
raj stand. And In the procession
which followed him to the White
House ana passed In review, "a COM
positc ana cosmopolitan people. gavc
grarhic evidence Of loyalty ana pa
tri6tism. sf s,5.s
Prom the time the president left the
White House until his return his course
was triumphal. Sharing with him
the plaudits was Mrs. Wilson, who ac
conaranied him to the capitol. stood by
his side on the inaugural stand as
Chief Justice White administered the
oath Of office and Joined with him in
acknowledging the tributes and nc.
claimed professional journey to the
White House. It was the first time in
history that the wife of a presiden,
had participated so propinently in IN
aug'irai ceremonies and grazing them
also was Mrs. Marshall. wife Of the
vice president, who sat with her nus
band In the inaugural stand and rode
beside him IN the parade.
Marshall inAusuratsd. a.
No less Impressive than the inau-
gusation Of the president was the in
ahgnratton OF the Woe president and
the swearing IN OF new senator's In tht
senate chamber, In which the president
participated. when members OF 'th'
senate and house had been seated. tn.
diplomats Of foreign nations in thei,
glittering official regalia were ushcret
into the chamber, followed by the chic
justice and associate Justices Of tn
supreme court In thsir somhre robes
officers of-sthe army Ana navy. An
members@of the cabinet. I Then til
serscantsat-arms of the senate her
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