By a thousand ties of commerce and of brotherhood the old world
is bound to the new. So the war cloud which darkened Europe cast
its shadow also over America, even although at first there was no
thought that America would be drawn into the war. Was it possible,
men asked, while Europe was at death grips, for America still to
keep her "splendid isolation," was it not time for her to take a
place, "In the Parliament of man, in the Federation of the world?"
The ties which bind America to Europe bind her to no one country,
but to all; bind her equally, it would seem, to France, Britain and
Germany. The first founders of the Republic were of British stock,
but with the passing years millions of Germans have found a home
within her hospitable borders, together with natives of every
nation at war. How then could America take sides? No matter which
side she took it seemed almost certain to lead to civil war at
home. So on the 11th of August, 1914, Mr. Wilson proclaimed the
neutrality of the United States.
To the great bulk of the nation this seemed wise, for the nation
as a whole loves and desires peace, and realizes the madness and
uselessness of war. Indeed America more than the nations of the Old
World has come to see the war is an old-fashioned, worn-out way of
settling quarrels.
But although the United States might proclaim her neutrality she was
none the less entangled in the war.
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