The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1917-02-08
AZ Yeu Behind President
WlIDon With the Kind Of
Patriotism He Needs NOW!

Prsuidsnt Wilson does not want war.
Bear thst Ia mind: President Wilson
6oes not want war.
You know that II you read his speech
10 the congress. breaking diplomatic re-
Ihtions with Germany-h you read H.
particularly between lite lines.
II was not our privilege TO be present
IN the senate TO hear that address that
mas made history--that has placed the
name Of Woodrow Wilson beside those OF
Washington and Lincoln, the former first
n peace: the latter last to want war.
But from reading that speech we could
see President Wilson NJ plainly there In
the senate chamber AZ IL we occupied
front seat
We could see that he dragged himself
30 his place before the country's repre-
sentatiyes: we could see that he had
dragged himself to the position duty had
forced upon him; we could see that he
dragged from himself the words that
brought his country to the verge of war.
We could see the features drawn by
Tie pain In his heart
He made US think Of Washington and
Lincoln, those other sad presidents.
He made US feel that the last thing he
vsnts IL war with Germany or any other
country.
There u no doubt in our mind that he
3 directing every move in Washington
over which he has control to averting
var or to putting it of as long as he pos
sibly can.
And then our eyes fall on some Of the
hoad1ines that are being contributed to
!. Ne situation by some Of our newspapers,
md the thought occurs to US that the
prssident b putting up the fight under
heavy handicap.
The headlines give Us to understand
that II ID the personal opinions Of these
nswspsper publishers that we should
have been ct war hours ago; at any rate
hat thsre il not moment to lose
The president handed Bernstorf his
onrgports and recalled Gerard. following
uhich, Tor the jinso newspapers, there
Wsrs hours Of nothing doing" and con-
coQunnt terrible suspense.
An American tar on British ship was
md.
he jingo newspapers took heart-it
uaiGlt prove THE overt act the president
0ade reference TO an the occasion that
would compel him to address congress
0o1in.
The order went down the line of head
Writsrs to unsheath their pencils
Then the order went down the line for
them to put their pencils back in the
GheathA
II was not the overt act
But there flashed in ray of hope.
II the limited States did not hurry up
and declare war, GERMANY would
Count Bernstorff said along last May
that Germany would do that very thing
II ever there should come diplomatic
break with the United States-told his
butler, or somebody, that Germany
would.
Great.
II made lingo headline for dull day.
That Is the spirit of the lingo press
and uncurbed headwriters who are not
exactly what you would call neutral who
Just cannot make their pro-this and pro-
thatism behave.
What we want to ask is:
Is THIS THE KIND OF SPIRIT IN
THE PRESS THAT THE TINE CALLS
FORT
Il may be somewhat In keeping with
The forwarding of assurances of patri-
otism to the president that is being done,
despite the fact that the president may
wish the senders would practice more of
the kind Of patriotism that is needed for
the crisis.
This kind of patriotism is better exem-
plified, we believe, in the attitude of the
self-appointed committee in New York
that is paying for advertising in news
papers. imploring the people of the coun-
Try TO keep their heads.
What this COMMITTEES. made up Of we'll
known and PATRIOTIC citizens, cannot