WOODROW WILSON

111

Gentlemen of the congress, it is a distressing and oppressive duty which I have performed in thus addressing you. There are, it may be, many months of fiery trial and sacrifice ahead of us. It is a fearful thing to lead this great peaceful people into war, into the most terrible and disastrous of all wars, civilization itself seeming to be in the balance.

But the right is more precious than peace, and we shall fight for the things which we have always carried nearest our hearts, for democracy, for the right of those who submit to authority to have a voice in their own governments, for the rights and liberties of small nations, for a universal dominion of right by such a concert of free peoples as shall bring peace and safety to all nations and make the world itself at last free.

To such a task we can dedicate our lives and our fortunes, everything that we are and everything that we have, with the pride of those who know that the day has come when America is privileged to spend her blood and her might for the principles that gave her birth and happiness and the peace which she has treasured. God helping her, she can do no other.

FRANCE CONGRATULATES AMERICA

RAYMOND POINCARE

At the moment when, under the generous inspiration of yourself, the great American republic, faithful to its ideals and traditions, is coming forward to defend with the force of arms the cause of justice and liberty, the people of France are filled with the deepest feelings of brotherly appreciation.

Permit me again to give you, Mr. President, in this solemn and grave hour, an assurance of the same sentiments of which I recently gave you evidence, sentiments, which under the present circumstances have grown in depth and warmth.

I am confident that I voice the thought of all France in expressing to you and to the American nation the joy and pride which we feel to-day as our hearts again beat in unison with yours.

This war would not have reached its final import had not the United States been led by the enemy himself to take part in it. To every impartial spirit it will be apparent, in the future more than ever in the past, that German imperialism, which desired, prepared and declared this war, had conceived the mad dream of establishing its hegemony throughout the world. It has succeeded only in bringing about a revolt of the conscience of humanity.

This message was cabled on April 5, 1917, by President Poincaré to President Wilson.

RAYMOND POINCARE

113

In never-to-be-forgotten language you have made yourself, before the universe, the eloquent interpreter of outraged laws and a menaced civilization.

Honor to you, Mr. President, and to your noble country. I beg you to believe in my devoted friendship.

MESSAGE TO AMERICA

DAVID LLOYD GEORGE

AMERICA has in one bound become a world power in a America waited until she found a cause worthy of her traditions.

sense never before.

The American people held back until they were fully convinced the fight was not a sordid scrimmage for power and possessions, but an unselfish struggle to overthrow sinister conspiracy against human liberty and human rights.

Once that conviction was reached, the great republic of the west has leaped into the arena and stands now side by side with the European democracies, who, bruised and bleeding after three years of grim conflict, are still fighting the most savage foe that ever menaced the freedom of the world.

The glowing phrases of the President's noble deliverance will illumine the horizon and make clearer than ever the goal we are striving to reach.

There are two phrases which will stand out forever in the story of this crusade, first, "that the world must be made safe for democracy" - next, that "the menace to peace and freedom lies in the existence of autocratic governments backed by organized force and controlled wholly by their will and not by the will of their people."

On April 6, 1917, Lloyd George, speaking for the Cabinet, and "all the people and all the nations of the British Empire," commended America on her stand in entering the world war.

DAVID LLOYD GEORGE

115

These words represent the faith which inspires and sustains our people in the tremendous sacrifices they have made and are still making.

They also believe the unity of peace maintained can only rest upon democracy, upon the rights of those who submit to authority to have a voice in their government; upon the respect for the rights and liberties of nations both great and small, and upon universal dominion of the public right.

To all these the Prussian military autocracy is an implacable foe.

The Imperial war cabinet, representing all the people and all the nations of the British empire, wish me in their behalf to recognize the chivalry and courage which calls the people of the United States to dedicate the whole of their resources and service to the greatest cause that ever engaged human endeavor.