The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1917-03-09
Mr.. WILSON DELIVERED INAU-
= GURAL SPEECH TODAY
Equality All Nations in Matter Of Inter-
National Right Must Be Recognized;
Little Countries Must Not Be Tram
Piled Upon Because They Are Small;
Seas Must Be Free; All to Travel
Without Let or Hindrance
UNITED Press Dispatch,l

from MonodyS pdtIy.
Washington; March 5.-That the
United States may find itself in a
position that will compel this nation
to do more than merely preserve arm
ed neutrality was an utterance of the
inaugural speech of President Wilson
delivered today before a vast aggre-
cation. There was solemn, stiffness
Nas this utterance fell on the ears of
his hearers.
ton must stand ready for united ac-
ton. At the same time he made a
plea for world peace.
He declared that there. must be a
limitation to the armament of the
world. There must be an end of the
habit of nations attempting to Guido
each other in the matter of building
up terrible fighting machines.
He. said the equality of all nations
in the matter of international right
must be- recognized. The rights of
little nations must not be trampled
upon because they are small.
Declared For Freedom of Seas.
He. declared for the freedom of the
seas. All nations had the right to
navigate the great international water
ways on equal terms.
He declared in favor of united, &C
tion on the part of the great powers
of the earth for the establishment of
permanent peace, and for the sup
preston of peace disturbers.
Notwithstanding the terrible con-
fiict that is going on among so many
nations, the, president expressed, the
hope that permanent and lasting
world peace was not far off. He said
that shadows that now seemed to lie
dark on the path ahead of this ma
ton may soon be dispelled
The president said that armed neu-
trality at least must be resorted to by
this nation for the preservation of the
rights, lives and property of it's citi-
zens in the midst of the great world
conflict Even armed neutrality might
not be sufficient for the preservation
of these, rights.
May Need More Than Armed
Neutrality.
That any measure short of armed.
neutrality was utterly inadequate had
been fully demonstrated. 1t might be
that even more drastic action would
be found necessary. He said this
country might even be drawn into the.
necessity of actually taking part in
the great international conflict that
was now being waged. If this should
occur it would not be the aim of the
United States to make material gains,
or to seize. anything from any other
nation. 1t would be fight for prin-
ciples of justice.
The president declared that the
United States could no longer stand
apart from the affairs of the rest of
the world. This country must take
its: place among other nations in shap-
ing the destinies of the human race.
The plans for the days program
were changed a little, so that after
delivering his speech the president
was more thoroughly guarded, He
was escorted in a hollow square, form
ed blythe Second United States in
fantry. ~
Kissed the Bible.
rs UNITED Press Dfspatch.l ~
Washington, March 5.-On the
platform erected for the purpose in
the open air in. the presence of thou
sands, President Wilson completed his
oath of office. He kissed the Bible
at 12:47 this afternoon, thus complet-