The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1918-01-29
CEMENT
FRIENDSHIPS
President WIieon's Letter VIII Do
Much Toward Sharpening Sym.
pathles Of Neutral
Countries.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 29.-Publica-
tion in neutral countries of President
Wilson's letter to the United Press
should do much toward sharpening
the sympathies of these neutrals to
ward the cause of the United States
members Of congress and diplomats
declared today
Characterizing the letter as an lad
mirable stroke toward cementing
more firmly the friendship Of the Sis
ter republics in South America with
the United States" Chairman Flood
OF the house foreign relations commit
tee, today said
THE president has spoken again in
typically clear statement the mo-
tives Of this country. 1t should prove
convincing to those neutrals who
have seen and experienced the I'M
prove a tremendous factor in swing
ing them to the cause Of the allies.
1.-The statement should prove to
South America that this country will
do nothing except for the mutual
good Of the democracies of the
Americas"
,.atIssg Sc -,~essdent;s Statement blasts
the German plaint that this nation
was waging war with selfish motives
and attempting to embroi1 neutrals
with selfish aims" said Majority Lead
er kitchin, Of the house.
Republican House Leader Gillett
declared that these are certainly
principles which, every liberty loving
man must agree with, and should be
most reassuring to the neutrals."
"The statement should again reas-
sure the world and particularly the
neutrals, Of the high motives or the
United States In entering the war"
Representative Gard, Ohio. declared.
II believe 1t will have a most desir-
able effect on those few neutrals that
probably were not yet convinced OF
the absolute unselfshness Of the
United States"
Meyer London, New York, the only
socialist in congress. declared:
Nothing better could be said. The
president gives a code Of ethics which
hope will become the code OF ethics
for all international dealings"
| South America and Mexican diplo-
matio officials were enthusiastic in
their reception of the presidents dec
laration, published here
| They too, believed that 1t would
clear the decks for a more sympa-
thetic understanding between the pan
American republics and this country.
1.-THE statement, coming from the
highest and most respected states
man in America will serve to create
confidence in the United States among
Latin-American nations" Ambassador
Ing Bonillas of Mexico, declared.
1T will create a lasting impress
sion In Mexico. where despite the as
- Of To 40
partment and the Carranza govern
ment there yet fingers distrust as to
the motives of the United States.
Il am sure that the Mexican gov
eminent will warmly welcome the
presidents words"
European MISUNDERSTANDING, Nor
way, Holland and Denmark, while I'M
officially welcoming the presidents
stand, were loath to comment. The
northern neutrals until recently
looked upon many Of the presidents
statements as playing to the gal
leries." They have been unable to
harmonic the stand this country
took for the rights of neutrals" be-
fore becoming involved in the war
with it's subsequent actions.
AS neutrals they refused to COM
ment. But personally virtually all
heartily endorsed the president 8
ideas.
Discussing the presidents neutral
| ity letter, Vice President Marshal de-
clared that his position was best set
forth in an address made to Della
ware Masons.
| II told them that the greatest thing
that the Masons could do for their
country at this time was to cultivate
! through their lodges in Central and
South America a warm feeling for
the United States to meet In this way
the German propaganda and to let
the people there know the truth about
The real feeling in the United States
| toward all self governing peoples
and our real purpose in waging this
war which was not for self aggran-
dizement, but solely to promote inter
nal Justice which can only be
prompted by recognizing the rights Of
small as we'll as Of powerful nations
and by writing into diplomacy and in
| ternational law the only things which
had any right to be there-the moral
code.
What can be done to further as
sure the republics to the south Of US
Of our friendship and good will and
u COllNluCc lltu Illdi our CAUSE Is
their cause and that their safety de-
ponds upon our success in the war is
the most patriotic work any man or
organization can attempt"
Senator Williams, Mississippi, Of
the foreign relations committee, said:
THAT expression Of the position of
the United States is so selfevident
and so necessary that 1t is almost a
trufsm."
President Wilson has done more
than any other man said Senator
Hollis, ito correct the impression
among other nations that the United
States is purely trading nation, gov
erned by self-seeking interests. This
letter will have back Of 1t the full
force Of the presidents personality
and will command the attention and
respect Of all allied nations