The Spectator at war: A word to America

From The Spectator, 12 September 1914:

WE desire to address a word to the American people, a word which must be spoken, though we are fully aware that it will be liable to misunderstanding and misconstruction, and is certain to be distorted by those whose business it is to exercise pressure upon American opinion in the German interest. First, in order that we may as far as possible minimize such misrepresentation, let us say quite clearly what we do not ask the American people to do. We do not ask them to come to our assistance, either directly or indirectly. The notion of trying to involve them in our wars and our difficulties is one which we have never entertained for a single moment. We will go further and say that it is the duty of all patriotic American statesmen in existing circumstances to do everything in their power to keep out of the great tragedy which has been brought upon Europe by the cynical policy of the military caste in Germany and Austria.