AWAKENING OF AMERICA

President clings to neutrality—­Monroe doctrine and Washington’s
warning—­German crimes and German victories—­Cardinal Mercier’s
letter—­military operations—­first submarine activities—­the Lusitania
outrage—­exchange of notes—­united states aroused—­role of passive
onlooker becomes irksome—­first modification of principles of Washington
and Monroe—­our destiny looms.

August 4,1914, President Wilson proclaimed the neutrality of the United States.  A more consistent attempt to maintain that attitude was never made by a nation.  In an appeal addressed to the American people on August 18th, the president implored the citizens to refrain from “taking sides.”  Part of his utterance on that occasion was: 

“We must be impartial in thought as well as in action, must put a curb upon our sentiments as well as upon every transaction that might be construed as a preference of one party to the struggle before another.

“My thought is of America.  I am speaking, I feel sure, the earnest wish and purpose of every thoughtful American that this great country of ours, which is, of course, the first in our thoughts and in our hearts, should show herself in this time of peculiar trial a nation fit beyond others to exhibit the fine poise of undisturbed judgment, the dignity of self-control, the efficiency of dispassionate action; a nation that neither sits in judgment upon others, nor is disturbed in her own counsels, and which keeps herself fit and free to do what is honest and disinterested and truly serviceable for the peace of the world.”

American poise had been somewhat disturbed over the treatment of American tourists caught in Germany at the outbreak of the war.  American sentiment was openly agitated by the invasion of Belgium and the insolent repudiation by Germany of her treaty obligations.  The German chancellor had referred to the treaty with Belgium as “a scrap of paper.”  These things had created a suspicion in American minds, having to do with what seemed Germany’s real and ulterior object, but in the main the people of this county accepted the president’s appeal in the spirit in which it was intended and tried to live up to it, which attitude was kept to the very limit of human forbearance.

A few editors and public men, mostly opposed to the president politically, thought we were carrying the principle of neutrality too far; that the violation of Belgium was a crime against humanity in general and that if we did not at least protest against it, we would be guilty of national stultification if not downright cowardice.  Against this view was invoked the time-honored principles of the Monroe Doctrine and its great corollary, Washington’s advice against becoming entangled in European affairs.  Our first president, in his farewell address, established a precept of national conduct that up to the time we were drawn into the European war, had become almost a principle of religion with us.  He said: