The Washington times., 1917-02-11
Cannot Deny We Are Standing
Near Verge of War, He Tells
Amherst Alumni.
PAYS PRESIDENT TRIBUTE
Declares He Will Meet Nations
Difficulties With Goodness
and Forbearance.

In an address delivered last night
before alumni of Amherst College
gathered for a banquet in the Will
lard Hotel, Secretary Of State Lam
sing voiced the hope that ominous
though the situation may be, our
country may be spared the terrible
calamity of being forced into the con-
fiict. 1t is now, as il ever has BEEN.
he said, the wish and endeavor of
this country to remain at peace with
all the world if it can do so with
honor"
Secretary Lansing. Congressman
Frederick H. Gillett, Champ Clark.
Speaker of the House of Representa-
tives; Prof. Burgess Johnson. Alex
ander Meikeljohn, president of Am
herst, and Secretary OF the Interior
Lane were the guests of honor at the
banquet
Near Verge of Conflict.
1T is a time of anxiety for us all"
Secretary Lansing said. "a time of
heavy responsibility for some of US.
We are looking forward into the un-
certainties of the future. and we are
striving to read what it holds in store
for US and for our country. We can
hardly close our eyes to the fact
that we are standing near to the verge
of the war which for two and a half
years has wasted the empires of Eu-
rope"
Time for SeIf-RestraInt.
81 cannot discuss here the supreme
subject OF American thought today.
either TO review the past or to prophesy
L. i .fr faS SFnao
It is time TO think, TO think earnestly
and deliberately. 1t is a time for cool
ness and self-restraint. rather than for
surrender TO the natural impulses which
are aroused by great events affecting
the national honor, the national duty,
and the national welfare Of our coun-
try"
Secretary Lansing paid a tribute to
President Wilson, when he stated that
with the same GOODNESS, forbearance.
deliberation. and care with which he
has met past differences, the Presi-
dent will meet any that may come.
Faith in American Patriotism.
1t is indeed a commentary on the
American people, said Secretary Lam
sing, that not a few thinking men have
been asking with serious concern: Have
American eyes grown dim to the
achievements of the past? Has the blood
of patriotism ceased to throb in Ameri-
can veins? Have we forgotten that our
heritage of liberty was sealed with the
lives Of devoted men and that ii is a
sacred trust that we must hold and
transmit unimpaired to the generations
to come?
Il believe most firmly that every
one of these questions may be an
swered in the negative. l believe that
at heart the American people are loyal
and patriotic. Put to the test, l do
not fear the outcome. And yet fear
that the spread of materialism has
been a menace which ought not and
must not continue"
Other Speakers Heard.
Congressman GiIlett was toast
master. President MeikIejohn. Secre-
tary Lane, Speaker Clark, and Prof.
Burgess johnson also spoke.
The officers elected to head the ma
tional alumni organization are: Presi-
dent, John S. Runnells, Chicago: vice
presidents, Joseph r. King, Mime
apoIis; Charles B. Raymond, Akron,
Ohio, and Luther Ely Smith, st. Louis;
secretary, Frederick s. Allis, Am
herst, and treasurer, Ernest w. Whit
cOmb