Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1924-04-22
WILSON WAITED FOR PEOPLE
TO DEMAND DECLARATION
OF WAR AGAINST GERMANY

sionately, but anyone who knew the
truth about submarine warfare dur
ing 1915 must admit that the allied
losses were terrific and that had the
Germans started year earlier on
unrestricted submarine warfare the
whole course Of events might have
been changed or at least the war
itself prolonged because the United
States would not have been able so
quickly to transport its forces to
Europe So the Wilson policy did
have the effect of postponing the
Germans submarine warfare cam
paign until past the time when it
could win he war.
Looking back over the neutrality
period which preceded the entry of
whole may be divided into three dis
tinct epochs:
FIRST, there was the time when Mr.
Wilson believed the war would come
to an early conclusion and that by
carefully balancing Of diplomatic
notes against Germany on the one
hand and the allies on the other hand
the legal record of neutrality might
be scrupulously kept.
None Anticipated Need
The second stage dates from the
sinking of the Lusitania and con-
tinues through several months dur
ing which sharp-toned notes were ex-
changed with Germany with refer
ence to submarine warfare.
The third, the last period, was
that in which the United States
hoped against hope that Americas
entry into war would be unnecessary,
but preparations were made by both
the army and navy for the inevi-
table.
1t was early in 1916 when Mr.. Will
son realized that if he were to con-
tinue to threaten Germany effective
ly he must make some signs of war
secretary Of the navy and the secre-
tary Of war to take inventory of the
state of the American fighting re-
sources and congress passed a law
creating a council of national de-
Tense. To Colonel Roosevelt's way
of thinking, not enough preparation
had been made, but when war did
break it was apparent that all the
suggestions made, including those of
Mr.. Roosevelt for an army twice or
three times the size of the then ex-
listing force was only a drop in the
bucket compared to the huge forces
needed to wage the battle in Europe.
Among the opponents of Mr.. Wilson
who were far sighted and wanted
him to prepare for war, not a single
plan suggested provided for an army
Of even one-twentieth the size of
that which was finally modified by
the United States.
The first epoch in the neutrality
ended with the resignation of Sec
rotary Bryan. Up to that time Mr..
Wilson had given the impression
that preparations for war on the part
of the United States would be mis-
construed aboard as an intention on
the part of the United States to en-
gage in the conflict, whereas the best
assurance of continued neutrality
was the Introduction of no unusual
items in the military or naval budget
The so-called pacifist element was
pleased with Mr.. Wilson's state
ments made in December, 1914. The
commitments made by the president
in that direction kept William Jen-
nings Bryan in the cabinet as a
warm supporter of Mr.. Wilson's
foreign policy.
Moral Force Fails
The sinking Of the Lusitania In
May. 1915, began to work a change
in the presidents mind. He knew
that the war spirit had not yet been
klndled in the United States and he
was confirmed in that feeling by
careful analysis of the editorials of
newspapers large and small from
coast to coast. 1t is singular thing
That while a few people on the east
ern seaboard were clamoring for
war, a careful examination of the
editorials showed that out of / 900
compiled by telegraph in three DAYS
after the Lusitania was sunk less
than one-half dozen indicated a. be-
lief that war should be declared.
Opinion was almost unanimous that
the situation called for diplomacv
and an effective expression OF Amer
lean feeling, with the hint, Of course.
that II satisfaction could not be Sc
cured the American people would be
behind the president in whatever
course he should formulate.
Reading the letters Of Ambassador
Page in London on the reaction of
European opinion to President Will
sons note writing one is convinced
that the true state Of mind on this
side of the Atlantic was not accu-
rately portrayed to those on the othen
side of the vast ocean-for America,
was not yet ready to go to war in
May, 1915.
During that month of May, how.
ever, there developed in Woodrow
Wilson feeling that moral force up.
on which he had been relying might
some day be exhausted and that in
its place there might have to be sub
stituted the use OF physical force.
Thursdays chapter will tell why
Bryan resigned as secretary of
state.)