Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1918-01-14
By WILLIAM ENGLISH WALIlNG.

III WILLIAM ENNIi>h " ALlANN.
Nnthing is more certain in this war
than that the attitude Of the American
people toward the German people and
our attitude toward the German Gov
eminent are two separate and distinct
things. The President has lost no OF
portunity to voice the American posi-
ton in this matter IN all Of mis- ad-
dresses since the beginning Of the war
he has touched upon this distinction.
But he has only been able to discuss
limited phases Of this great and vitality
Important subject in each speech; 10
is only when we put all of his refer
ences to the German people together
that we realize how completely he has
stated the feeling Of America.
Let US show briefly how the Presi-
dent has stated az the relation Of the
German Government to the German
people, ~ the attitude Of The German
people toward its Government and to-
ward the present war. 49, the feeling
Of the people Of the United states to-
ward the German people. and l4) the
reasons why we are at present engaged
in nghting both the German Govern
ment and the German people.
I. German Government and German
People.
IN his message calling for a declara-
ton Of war against Germany, President
Wilson spoke Of the German Govern
ment as one that did what 70 pleased
and told the people nothing and fur
ther referred to that government as an
'autocracy backed by organized force
which is controlled wholly by its will,
and not by the will Of its people
Since this great address the presi-
dents references 10 the character Of the
German Government and its attitude to-
ward the German and other peoples
have been frequent One quotation from
his Flag Dag speech June iil viii be
sufficient 10 define his well-known posi-
tion:
The war was hegun by the military
masters Of Germany. who proved TO be
also the masters Of Austria-Hungary.
These men have never regarded nations
as peoples. men, women and children
Of ike blood and frame as themselves,
FOR whom governments existed and In
whom governments had their life. They
have regarded them merely as service
able organizations which they could, by
force or intrigue. bend or corrupt TO
their own purpose
II. The Position Of The German People.
The President has carefully and re-
peatedly stated the tragic position Of
the German people at the present mo-
ment as we Americans see it. He has
said that this people did not originate,
choose. or desire this hideous war, "or
wish that we should be drawn INTO it
June i5,. III was not upon their i'm
pulse that their government acted In
entering the war. 70 was not with their
previous knowledge or approval" Apr.
2,
The President has gone out OF his
way TO pay sincere tribute 20 the
sterling qualities Of the German people
as recognized by the overwhelming
majority Of Americans. In his address
10 the American Federation Of Labor at
Buffalo NOV. 49, be said
Il believe that the spirit Of freedom
can get into the hearts OF Germans
and find as fine a welcome there as i
can ind in any other hearts, but the
spirit OF freedom does not suit the
plans OF the pan-Germans."
But 10 Is not necessary for US TO entel
further into the virtues or other char
acteristics Of the German people. TIT
essential question involved is iheir at
titude toward the people Of America
The President has stated at the yer,
beginning Of the war that we did mol