The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1931-03-28
Wilson'S Neutrality and Pacifsm

In his interesting articles Pulitzer and the
World. Forrest Davis refers to Woodrow Wilson's
declaration of impartiality neutrality and pacifism
during the World war He quotes Wilson as saying
to Frank Cobb of the World.
Il do not want war, yet I do not know that I can
keep the country out of the That depends on
Germany. and have no control over Germany. But
intend to handle the situation in such a manner
that every American citizen Will know that the
United States government has done everything it
could to prevent war
But Wilson knew-indeed, admitted in confidential
circles-at that very time that he i'll no sense
neutral The question Of our neutrality during the
World war does not involve any preferences for the
culture OF Britain or Of Germany. It is a simple
question OF fact
There is no doubt that Britain violated our rights
es neutras far more extensively and fagrantly than
did Germany even to the extent of using the Amer
lean flag on her merchantmen to escape the German
submarines Imagine mass horror at the time
oyer any report that German vessel was using the
Stars and Stripes.
= Our protests to Britain half-hearted and
never followed UP seriously Indeed Page assured
the British foreign office that did not really
what We said, and he helped Grey answer the pro
tests of the United States procedure which aroused
the indignant comment OF the New York Times
(Aug 9, 1920
Secretary Bryan who was honest and logical. if
not profound protested against this unneutra con-
duct in his famous letter Of April g. 1915 over the
Thrasher case When his honest soul could stand
1t no longer he resigned couple of months later.
Bryan clearly proved that the President apply
ing one kind of international law to Germany and
another to Britain
Attorney General Gregory, a close friend and ad-
nirer OF wilson admitted that Wilson confessed his
lack of neutrality to the cabinet. Gregory pointed
this out in letter OF Jan g. 1925 written to the
New York Times Several members Of the cabinet
called Mr. wilson's attention to the fact that the
British violations of our rights exceeded those be-
fore the War of 1912 Gregory thus described viii
son's response
After patiently listening Mr. Wilson said in that
quiet way of his that the ordinary rules of conduct
had no application to the situation; that the allies
were standing with their backs to the wall, fighting
wild beasts; that we would permit nothing to be done
by our country to hinder embarrass them in the
prosecution OF the unless admitted rights were
violated grossly, and that this policy must be under
stood as settled
Months before he went before the country in 1916
on the "he kept us out Of war" platform, he had
sent Colonel House to Europe late i'll December 1915
with plan to put in the war on the allied side.
But his conditions were deemed too fair to Germany
and there turned GOWN by The plIUeI-ehoeIs among
the entente leaders.
Whether he called the famous sunrise conference
of American Democratic leaders in April, 1916 and
urged war can not be determined at present but there
is as good evidence for it as against it. And mat
tiers little i'll the light OF the House mission in the
winter OF 1915-16
Finally, Secretary Tumulty, in his Woodrow Will
son as Knew Him" (pp256-S), says that in the flush
OF excitement after urging a declaration of on
Germany, Wilson admitted to him that he only had
been adroitly kidding the American people into be-
heving him neutral, pacific and long-sufering.
1t may have been great feat OF craftsmanship to
put us into the war. but it was not any triumph or
outcome of honest neutrality.