America’s Creed
In 1916, Woodrow Wilson publicly declared that all people have a right to self- determination. However, Wilson wouldn’t commit the United States to the game of promising an autonomous and independent Poland. Wilson’s 27 May 1916 speech at a League to Enforce Peace banquet did provide a step in that direction. Wilson listed three international creeds that he believed all should respect. The first creed is the right of people to choose their own sovereignty. Respect of others’ sovereignty and territorial integrity is the second creed. The global right to peace is the third creed.
Wilson made a very vague speech. He did not utter any names of nationalities he regarded as deserving sovereignty. Wilson could have made a remark about Polish independence in this speech. The first and second points certainly pertain to Poland. Wilson knew of Ignacy Jan Paderewski, the Polish pianist, before he gave the speech. The two had met at a White House dinner held 22 February 1916 in honor of the Speaker of the House James Beauchamp Clark. Paderewski performed for the guests after dinner. The Polish pianist also acted as an agent for the National Democratic Party, an organization lobbying for an independent Poland. Once Paderewski had finished, he spoke to Wilson about the Poles’ desire for independence. Wilson, however, was not yet willing to commit the U.S. to this policy. Being a neutral in the war, Wilson and Secretary of State Lansing mainly concerned themselves with freedom of the seas and the respect of belligerents to neutral states. The speech, however, was a step in that direction.
©2006 Tim Sheehan