Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-04-25
PUBLISHERS OF nation
. PLEDGE HEARTY SUPPORT
Stars and Stripes. Union Jack and
Tricolor Raised and Cnfurled
Amid Cheers OF Members.
MESSAGE FROM WILSON READ
Choate Declares That the Presidents
War Message to Congress Was One
or Greatest State Papers Since
Formation of This Government.
tBy Associated Press.


tBS Associated Press.
NEW YORK. April oi.-Ncws.apcr
publishers from all parts Of the ccun-
try. assembled LCrr to day fey tie am
nual meeting of the Associated rtrss
passed resolution plcdginE their
hearty support Of tho effort of the
executives cf the gorcrnment to carry
out effectively the mandate OF tho MA =
ton expressed in the war rcsol Ition
naSSed by tile Congress on Arrii g.
This action was taken at a business
session of the association whirh fol-
lowed patriotic luncheon at which
the Stars and Stripes. Union lack
and Tricolor we're raised and urfIrlcd
amid the cheers of members. and While
Il chorus o. f,ty voices sang tn, ma
tional anthem. OF :hc United states.
England and France
Reading a. the luncheon OF a talc-
gram from President Wilson cNprce:s-
ing regret that his duties prevented
him from being present to exchange
with those assembled the pledges Of
Understanding loyalty and dcvoti,u to
the people of the government not oNlv.
hut |" The cause Of freedom Gerry
wherc." was followed by prolonged
applause Joseph n. Choate and tor
mcr Judge Peter <. Cirosscur. were the
principal speakers. Frank r. Moves,
president of the Association was toast
master.
CoLuRs OF THREE ALLIES
WAVE OVER GUESTS
The room in which the luncheon was
held vas decorated with the national
colors. and betin the ,"astmastcr Was
"a i'll
Statue IF Liberty Soon after the
guests were seated. tho lights were
turned off. while four marines rois,ed
the flags OF the United states. Great
iirtain and France I" mas;s SO con
StruCted that compressed air kent the
co'"rs OF tic three allies waving. The
Star-Spangled Banner" was sung by
the members. and this was followed by
Cod Save tho King" and the Mar
sciila;%c."
Mr. Cfoatc was warmly apriaudcd
when he declared that nc believed tho
shirt of abraham !.incon had led us
into the war" lie pictured President
Wilson as our chosen leader" and
urged all to stard by him.
If Lincoln were here today said
Mr.. Choatc. his prayer would be vcri-
all civilized nations shall nov have a
new birth of freedom and that gov
eminent of the people. by The neople
and for tho people shal! not perish
from any portior of tho earth Sow
u think it is not din,cult TO understand
what this war is. II is a war for tho
preservation of free government
throughout the civilized world. And
believe that may include IN thai,
no, only free government OF the al
lied nations and tho neutral nations
but Of Germany Itself
CAN SEE NOW HOW WISELY
THE PRESIDENT WAITED
Some OF us in the mast have criti-
cized tho President" MIR. Choate con
tinued. Some of us have long hest
tatcd and doubted; some OF us thought
that watchful waiting would never
cease, but now we see what the rresi
dent was waiting for. and how wisely
he waited. lie was waiting To see
how fast and how far the America II
people would keep pace with him and
stand up for any action hc proposed.
From the day the President APP
pcareh before Congress and made that
wonderful address OF hi9-onc of the
greatest state papers in tho affairs OF
the United states since tho formation
Of the accommodations that moment
all doubt. all hesitation. all unwilling
ness was banished from tho minds Of
all tho people. and he is now our
chosen leader for this great contest"
Former Judge C;ro.scup asserted
that the war had developed "a new
feeling. a new attitude. :. new rccog
milton OF the common man"
I'm the trenches in Europe" he said
''hc fights side by side with his titled
companion In tho munition shops OF
Europe he is working side by side
his lords SON"
MOVES PROPOSES TOAST no
HEALTH or PRESIDENT
In an address 10 the members at a
luncheon held after a business meet
ing. Frank T.. Noycs. president Of the
Associated rrcss. said
In the past it has been necessary on
like occasions for ne to explain the
comstra!nt the Associated Press was
under to observe the strict neutrality
on all controversial points due to the
varied and manifold opinions OF its
membership.
To-day. thank God. this is not only
not necessary. but the contrary is true
for no trace OF neutrality Is coursing
in our veins--bu, red blood and red
blood alone.
TO day. neutrality has been cast
aside aud we. in common with all true
Americans. are standing with our cou-