Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1918-12-16
WILSON EXPLAINS
WHY OUR COUNTRY
ENTERED THE WAR
Americans Hearts Shocked at the
Illicit Ambitions Of the Hun,
He Tells French.
RECEPTION IN CITY HALL
By Associated press 70 gve.v g,s,,-.

By Associated Press % Every Evening
Paris, Dec l6 President Poineare
went 10 the Murat residence 90 Z.45
O'Clock this afternoon and conducted
President Wilson to the cit \ hall, where
imposing formal ceremonies took r,lacc
The spccch-making uccurrcdlin The treat
inner courtyard III the city hall. which
mas been covered over for Ahe Occasjnp
and decorated with flags and bunting
After tho exchange of addressts Mr. W.
son went through the corridor and IN
the stairs ~ tho first floor bdfct where
luncheon vas served
On the way tn the buffet the narf
passed through he salons where guests If
the day were grouped In one III them
were stationed ne singers of 81 Cjcryais''
q choir relebra'cd for It's unaccornpaniod
singing of the ancient polyphonic nnusir
This assemblagc of singers IS attached ~,
the Church of st Gorpais
President Wilson, ~ the city haf
replied to the greeting extended BIN
Your greeting has raised many crn-
tions within me tho President began It
IS with no ordinary sympathy that ~
people u tho [ nlted Stateg, for whom
nave the privilege n speaking. have
viewed the s'iTerings of the people ~
France MANY of 9ur own penple have
been themselves witnesses 0f these suf-
ferings VIZ were the more deeply moved
bv he wrongs of he war because we knew
the manner in which they were peruetrat-
cd ! bog yOu will not suppose that be-
cause a vide ocean separated us in space
wc were not n effect cye witnesses of
the shameful ruin hat was wrought ant
the cruel and unnecessary sufferings that
Z I. 4
have filed orr hearts with Indignation
We know What hcv wcre not only. but
VIC knew what they signlhcd, and our
hearts were touched % the uuick by
them, orr imaginations filed with tho
whole picture of what France and Belgium
in particular had experienced.
When the United states entered tho
war. therefore, they entered il not onlv
because they we're moved BY a convection
that the purposes of the central empires
we're wrong and must ~ resisted by men
everywhere who loved liberty and the
right, but also because the Illicit ambitions
which they were entertaining and ar
tempting 10 realize hadled 20 the practices
which shocked our hearts as much as thcv
offended our principles.
Our resolution vas formed because w
knew how profoundly great principles
Of right were affected, buT our hearts
moved also with our resolution.
You have been exceedingly generous
IN what you have been gracious enough
TO say about me, generous Tar beyond my
personal deserts, but you have interpreted
with real insight the motives and resolU-
tlOn Of the people of the United States.
Whatever influence | exercise, whatever
authority ! speak with, derive from
them. / know what they have thought
/ know what they have desired. and when
/ have spoken what | know was IN their
minds. it has been delightful 70 see how
the consclences and purposes Of free men
everywhere responded We have merely
established cur right 70 full fellowship oi
those peoples here and throughout the
world who reverence the right OF genuine
liberty and justice
You nave made me Terv much az home
here. not merely by the delightful warmth
Of Your WeicOmc. but also bv he manner
IN which you have made me realize 70 he
utmost thc intimate community 81
thought and ideal which character,zes vour
people and the great nation which / have
the honor Tor the time to represent.
Your ytle Jme 10 Paris I snail always re-
member as one of the unique aud IN
spring experiences Of my life, and while
feel that you are honoring the people oi
the United States In my person, I shall
nevertheless carry away with me q very
keen personal qualification in looking
back upon heSe memorable days
Permit me 70 thank YOU from q al.
heart
In addressing President Wilson ar ri g
city hall ceremonies, Adrien MitholaT4.
Continued on paSe