CHAPTER XIV

AMERICA FIRST

The shock was so sudden that no one had attempted to think through the possibilities of such a conflict. But now that it had burst upon the world, men everywhere were half dazed when the catastrophe that had been declared impossible was indeed a reality. In this great crisis all eyes were turned to the chief executive of the nation. What would he do-what could he doto give America the right direction?

The nations of Europe had decided what they would do; and their decision gave America a demoralization of business, with stock exchanges closed, railroads helpless, markets congested, factories shut down and labor unemployed. It gave "civil war by proxy,"-citizens arrayed against citizens, mobs in the streets, and a panicky condition that affected men's reason. Moreover, it turned the current of government from old accustomed channels into strange and untried areas. In the midst of this sudden confusion, even before America could think, every nation of Europe turned quickly to this country for help and sympathy and consolation, and added to the con

fusion by attempting to place its interest first in the hearts of American citizens. What, then, was the first duty of Americans?

It is very apparent now that the supreme duty of the hour was for America to find herself first. And while the passions of men were stirred by the events on the other side of the globe and their hearts were filled with despair over the demoralization at home, President Wilson exhibited sagacity, resolution, and patience which has rarely been equaled. His first act was to remind the people of this nation that their first thoughts should be for America, and "America First" became a shibboleth with which to unify the patriotism of this nation.

On the day before England declared war against Germany he called the newspaper correspondents together and urged them to be careful and "not to give currency to any unverified news, to anything that would tend to create or add to the excitement." And then he added, "I think you will agree that we must all at the present moment act together as Americans in seeing that America does not suffer any unnecessary distress from what is going on in the world at large."

This appeal was coupled with an assurance that the financial situation throughout the country was sound, that bankers and business men were already thinking of America first and were cooperating "with the government with a zeal, intelligence, and spirit which make the outcome secure." He appealed to the American people

to aid the Administration in preserving the soundness of this nation, for this country, he said, "owes it to mankind to remain in such a position and in such a state of mind that she can help the rest of the world."

In this appeal to the American people he pointed out the direction that this nation must take-Act together as Americans, not as foreigners, so that America shall not suffer. Then she will be in a state of mind to help the rest of the world.

At the outbreak of the war President Wilson offered to act in the interest of European peace, either then or at any other suitable time. This was a formal act in accordance with a provision of the Hague Convention of 1907, which states that it is expedient and desirable that "strangers" to the dispute should on their own initiative and as far as circumstances may allow offer their good offices or mediation to the states at variance. But the old world was mad, mediation was then impossible, and the President had but one course before him-to protect America by keeping it neutral.

It is no wonder, therefore, that in this terrible ordeal he exalted the interest of America above all sympathies for the warring nations and proclaimed that this nation should, if possible, be neutral. The very safety of business, the solidarity of our citizenship, and the power to aid the warring nations in bringing this dreadful war to a close depended upon this nation's remaining neutral. Therefore he issued a solemn appeal to the American

people-reminding them again of the dangers that might arise from partisan strife. He said:

"My Fellow Countrymen:

"I suppose that every thoughtful man in America has asked himself, during these last troubled weeks, what influence the European war may exert upon the United States, and I take the liberty of addressing a few words to you in order to point out that it is entirely within our own choice what its effects upon us will be and to urge very earnestly upon you the sort of speech and conduct which will best safeguard the nation against distress and danger.

"The effect of the war upon the United States will depend upon what American citizens say and do. Every man who really loves America will act and speak in the true spirit of neutrality, which is the spirit of impartiality and fairness and friendliness to all concerned. The spirit of the nation in this critical matter will be determined largely by what individuals and society and those gathered in public meetings do and say, upon what newspapers and magazines contain, upon what ministers utter in their pulpits,

and men proclaim as their opinions on the street. "The people of the United States are drawn from many nations, and chiefly from the nations now at war. It is natural and inevitable that there should be the utmost variety of sympathy and desire among them with regard to the issues and circumstances of the conflict. Some will wish one nation, others another, to succeed in the momentous struggle. It will be easy to excite passion and difficult to allay it. Those responsible for exciting it will assume a heavy responsibility, responsibility for no less a thing than that the people of the United States, whose love of their country and whose loyalty to their government should unite them as Americans all, bound in honor and affection to think first of her and her interests, may be divided in camps of hostile opinion, hot against each other, involved in the war itself in impulse and opinion if not in action.

"Such divisions among us would be fatal to our peace of mind and might seriously stand in the way of the proper performance of our duty as the one great nation at peace, the one people holding itself ready to play a part of impartial