Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1924-04-19
-oSs of Wife and Uprising in
Europe Came Near Un-
nerving Executive-Prob-
lens of Neutrality Recalled

llOl WIS LAWN wv wv
lens of Neutrality Recalled
BY DAVID LAWRENCE
(Copyright, 1924, by the George H. Doran
company in the United States Canada, South
America. World publication rights reserved
by Current News Features, lncorporated.)
CHAPTER NH
VI Woodrow Wilson's problems
were such as to break the vital
ity of much stronger men in the
first year of his administration,
those burdens seem in recollection
to be reIa lively insignificant COM
pare dto the mental strain he suf-
pared to the menta! strain he suf-
rope in July, 1914 just seventeen
months after his inauguration.
To the world itself August, 1914,
will always be a date which sepa-
rates one epoch from another in
the history of mankind. Even more
abrupt was the change which that
historic month made in the life and
career of Woodrow Wilson. 1t was
a turning point hardly perceived at
the time, as he struggled not only
with matters of state, but with a
melancholy induced by the death Of
Mrs. Ellen Arson Wilson.
For more than a year in the White
House the restraints of official obi
cation and the artificial atmosphere
Of the executive mansion with its
enforced secIusion for the chief ex-
ecutive, had troubled Mr.. Wilson's
spirit and given him hours of I'M
forgettable loneliness.
His was restless soul, seeking
self-eXpression, wishing that official
cares and responsibilities could be
swept aside and the free air OF ir-
responsibility breathed once more
In a torment of conflicting desires
he lived from day to day. His cray
ing for companionship was pathetic.
He longed for old friends. He yearn-
ed for the freedom Of other days.
He saw himself imprisoned in the
White House, forced to do many
things which an artistic tempera'
ment and an irrepressible spirit
would never have tolerated in pri-
vate life. He was devoted to his
family, to his wife and daughters.
The birth of the first grandchild had
brought new joy to the household
Mrs. Wilson'S Death
The marriage of his youngest
daughter, Eleanor. to the secretary
of the treasury William Gibbs Nc
Adoo, had made the last days of
1Ers. Wilson's life happy. Both the
president and Mrs. Wilson were very
fond of Mr.. McAdoo and in a letter
to d personal friend written at that
time. Nh Wilson described the at
fair as a genuine love match which
had the hearty sympathy of the
whole family.
The death of Mrs. Wilson a short
time. after the marriage cast a
shadow of despair over the White
House. Although the physicians
had anticipated that the illness
would be fatal, Mr.. Wilson did not
know until a few days before death
came that he would be deprived Of
his life companion. His answers to
letters at that time revealed the
depth of his feeling. Tenderly he
said farewell at her last resting place
in Rome, Ga, whittier he had gone,
consoled only in the thought that
nCG HE lldu DIS lOiS pCSh 5pCtA ~
1t was under such circumstances
that Woodrow Wilson, president of
the United States and bereaVed hus-
band, fought alone the trying prob
lens which beset him in the neu-
trality days.
On the night England declared
war against Germany, Mr.. Wilson
was walking slowly from the eXecu-
y o
the message reached him from the
state department that England had
declared war on Germany.
Let us pray that Germany will
not develop Won Moltke,' was Mi.
Wilson's spontaneous comment. lie
had been apprised of the situation
in Europe by Colonel House, and
had followed carefully the course Of
affairs since the assassination of the
Austrian archduke. Recognizing that
the world would expect the United
States to intervene with its good Of
fices, Mr.. Wilson made the Gus
tomary tender of mediation and was
of course, brushed aside by the
belligerents, who were already at
each others throats.
Saw Effects of War
Historian that he was, Mr.. Wilson
saw at once the far-reaching effects
of a. European war. He told his
friends that the entire course of the
world would be changed by the war,
and that whether the conflict would
be of short or long duration, the
world would never be the same.
Unhesitatinsly, Mr.. Wilson issued
his proclamation to the American
people, asking them 10 be neutral
in word, thought and deed. This
statement was criticised abroad, but
it was, after all, in consOnance with
the legal requirements of the sit
uation. From the very beginning.
| the president recognized that the
militarism of which the kaiser was
| the exponent had contributed to the
| international rivalry and friction
which for a generation had enveloped
/ Europe in war clouds. In those early
days Mr.. Wilson did not think it
possible that the European belli2er-
! ents would continue their warfare
! for more than six mos tbs at the
Ioutside The turning of the German
tide at the First Battle of the Marine
/ brought hopes of an early peace.
Feverishlv the president watched
the bulletins of battle, but outwardiy
/ his calmness and reserve were I'M
changed
! ~ 1oI,,ta,.oct Tho oNprosSiOnS nj