The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-01-06
CITIZEN OF MILAN
President Wilson Is Given
Honor in Italian City.
Says Social Structure Depends
on Working Glasses.

Milan, Jan. president Wilson,
speaking today on the occasion OF his
acceptance of an honorary citizenship
of Milan, said:
Mr. Mayor: May / not say to you
as the representative of this great city
that it is impossible for me to put into
words the impressions L have received
today. The overwhelming welcome.
the spontaneous welcome, which so
evidently came from the heart. has
and have not failed to see the signifi-
canoe of that welcome. You have
yourself referred to it.
Il am as keenly aware, I believe,
sir, as anybody can be that the social
structure rests upon the great work.
ing classes of the world; that those
working classes in the several coun-
tries of the world have. by their con-
seriousness of community of interest,
by their consciousness of a community
of spirit, done perhaps more than any
other influence has to establish world
opinion, which is not of the nation,
not of the continent but is the opinion,
one might say, of mankind. And am
aware, sir, that those of US now
charged with the very great and seri-
GUS responsibility of concluding peace
must think, act and confer in the
presence of this opinion; that we are
not the masters of the fortunes of any
kind; that it is not our privilege to fol-
low special interests. but it is our
manifest duty to study only the gen.
eral interest.
This is a solemn thing, sir, and
here in Milan, where 1 know SO much
of the pulse of international sympathy
beats, I am glad to stand up and say
that 1 believe that pulse beats also IN
my own veins; and that I am not
thinking of the particulars of the set
Element.
81 am very much touched today.
sir, to receive at the hands of the
wounded soldiers memorial in favor
of the league of nations and be told
by them that this was what they had
fought for-not merely to win the war,
but to secure something beyond; some
guarantee of justice; some equilibrium
for the world as a whole, which would
make it certain that they would never
have to fight a war like this again
This is an added obligation upon us
who make peace. We cannot merely
sign a treaty of peace and go home
with a clear conscience. We must dc
something more. We must add SO faI
as We can the security which suffer
ing men everywhere demand. And
when 1 speak of suffering men I think
| also Of suffering women. 1 know that
splendid as have been the achieve,
ments OF your armies and tremendous
| as have been the sacrifices which they
have made and great the glory they
have achieved, the real hard pressure
Of the burden OF it came upon ths
women at home whose men had gone
to the front and who were willing t.
have them stay there until the battle
| was fought out. I have heard from
your minister of food the story o.
| how for days together there would b.
| no bread and when they knew there
was no bread, the spirit of the people
| did not flag. f"ffs .sfF'
| ST take my hat off to the great PEG.
pie of Italy and tell them my admira
ton has merged into friendship ant
affection. 1t is in this spirit that re-
ceive your courtesy, sir. and thank yot
from the bottom of my heart for thi.
unprecedented reception which I have
received at the hands of your gener
| Gus people"