56
(_May 30, 1917_)

IX. A STATEMENT TO RUSSIA 59
(_June 9, 1917_)

X. FLAG-DAY ADDRESS 64
(_June 14, 1917_)

XI. AN APPEAL TO THE BUSINESS INTERESTS 76
(_July 11, 1917_)

XII. REPLY TO THE POPE 83
(_August 27, 1917_)

XIII. A MESSAGE TO TEACHERS AND SCHOOL OFFICERS 89
(_September 30, 1917_)

XIV. WOMAN SUFFRAGE MUST COME NOW 92
(_October 25, 1917_)

XV. THE THANKSGIVING DAY PROCLAMATION 96
(_November 7, 1917_)

XVI. LABOR MUST BEAR ITS PART 99
(_November 12, 1917_)

XVII. ADDRESS TO THE CONGRESS 112
(_December 4, 1917_)

XVIII. PROCLAMATION OF WAR AGAINST AUSTRIA-HUNGARY 130
(_December 12, 1917_)

XIX. THE GOVERNMENT TAKES OVER THE RAILROADS 134
(_A Statement by the President, December 26, 1917_)

XX. GOVERNMENT OPERATION OF RAILROADS 143
(_Address to the Congress, January 4, 1918_)

XXI. THE TERMS OF PEACE 150
(_January 8, 1918_)

APPENDIX 162

FOREWORD

This book opens with the second inaugural address and contains the
President's messages and addresses since the United States was forced
to take up arms against Germany. These pages may be said to picture
not only official phases of the great crisis, but also the highest
significance of liberty and democracy and the reactions of President
and people to the great developments of the times. The second
Inaugural Address with its sense of solemn responsibility serves as a
prophecy as well as prelude to the declaration of war and the message
to the people which followed so soon.

The extracts from the Conscription Proclamation, the messages on
Conservation and the Fixing of Prices, the Appeal to Business
Interests, the Address to the Federation of Labor and the Railroad
messages present the solid every-day realities and the vast
responsibilities of war-time as they affect every American. These are
concrete messages which should be at hand for frequent reference,
just as the uplift and inspiration of lofty appeals like the Memorial
Day and Flag Day addresses should be a constant source of
inspiration. There are also the clarifying and vigorous definitions
of American purpose afforded in utte