New-York tribune., 1918-02-01
Wars Crisis
Here, Wilson
Tells Farmers
Statesmen Realize This
Year Will Be De-
cisive, He Says
Fortunes Of All
In u. S. in Balance
Makes Plea to Agricultural
Conference for a SUI
preme Effort

WASHINGTON, Jan: 3l.--ln mes
sage to the nations farmcts delivered
To-Day to an agricultural conference at
Crpana, Ill. President Wilson said he
'hought statesmen on both sides Of the
water realized that the eliminating
crisis of the war had come and this
years achievements would be decisive.
The message, which the President in
tended to present personally until at
tackled by a cold several days ago, was
delivered by President James of the
University of Illinois. Recounting the
aggressions of Germany, the President
said:
I'VE are fighting. therefore, as truly
for the liberty and sclf-govcrnment of
thc United States as If The war of our
own Revolution had 20 be fought over
again, and every man in every business
Ill the United States must know by this
time that his whole future fortune lies
in the balance"
The President recalled that farmers
fired the first shots at Lexington that
set aflamc the American Revolution for
liberty, and expressed the hope and be-
lief that American farmers now will
willingly and conspicuously stand by to
win this war.
The Presidents Message
The Presidents message said:
II am very sorry indeed that | can
not be present in person at the Urbana
conference. / should like to enjoy the
benefit Of She inspiration and exchange
OF counsel which i know | should OBJ
tain, but in the circumstances it has
seemed impossible for me to be pres
ent, and therefore | can only send you
Il very earnest message expressing my
interest and the thoughts when such
a conference must bring prominently
into every mind.
II need not tell you. for | am sure
YOU realize as keenly as | do, that VIC
arc as nation in the presence of a
great task which demands supreme
sacrifice and endeavor of every one Of
US. We can give everything that is
needed with the greater willingness
and even satisfaction, because the OBJ
jcct of the war in which We are en-
gagged is the greatest that free men
have ever undertaken. 1t is to prevent
the life of the world from being deter
mined and the fortunes of men every
where affected By small Grouos of mill
tary masters, who seek their own in
terest and the selfish dominion
throughout the world of the govern
ments they unhnppily for the moment
control.
you will not need to be convinced
that it was necessary for US as free
people to take part in this war. It had
raised its evil hand against us.
Our National Life at Stake
"The rulers of Germany had sought
10 exercise their power in such Il way
as to shut Of our economic life so far
as our intercourse with Europe was
concerned, and to confne our people
within the Western Hcmis sphere, while
they accomplished purposes which
would have permanently impaired and
mpcded every process of our national
life and have put the fortunes OF Amer
ca at tic mer rcy of the imperial gov
eminent of Germany
a reality. Their hand of violence had
been laid upon our oWn people and our
own property in fragrant violation, not
only OF justice. but of the we'll recog-
1ized ard long standing covenants of
international law ard treaty.
we are fighting therefore, as truly
COR the liberty and self-government OF
the United States a. if the war of our
cwn Revolution had to be fought over