The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1917-08-04

Tho travel worn affer cOnttDu-
GUS journey OF nearly 5000 miles.
the commissioners submitted good
naturedly to the demands OF cam
era and moving picture men, re-
porters. and prominent citizens
who came to welcome them at the
Bell st. dock. where the United
States transport Buffalo. which
brought them from Viadivostok.
was tied up at 10 y. m. Friday.
There was no rest for them from
the time they finished their break
fast. at s a. m. until they were
ready to leave on their way TO
Washington. following a public
luncheon at the Arena. at noon. ar.
ranged by the Chamber OF Com
merce and Commercial Club.
Root Warns Of Danger
"As sure as the sun rises tomor-
row. n this war ends with the tri-
umph OF Germany. our people will
be a subject nation OF the German
ruling class"
So warned Elihu Root. head OF
the American commission TO Rus
sia. in his first public address here
before a gathering OF several thou
sand at the Arena this afternoon.
Don't argue about the cause OF
the war. or whether we should or
should not have entered IL" he
continued. Realize this. the time
has now come when American lib
erty and Justice. the independence
and freedom of each OF us. are at
stake for which we must fight"
Roots speech. tremendous ap-
peal to sacrificing patriotism"
reused the audience TO mighty
fervor. When he concluded every
one rose. like one man. and cheer
ed wildly.
Because II was a diplomatic mis-
sion that went TO Russia. Root de-
clared that Il was not suitable to
talk OF the special circumstances
or conclusions OF the commission.
But I cannot refrain, he ad.ied
from saying that we bring not
only the deepest sympathy for the
efforts of the young sister repub.
lie In solving the problems that
We have taken l40 years TO solve.
and have not yet succeeded, but
also our sincere admiration for
Russian character. We bring back
an abiding faith that Russia, thru
trial and tribulation. win work out,
create and make perpetual a great,
free, democratic government"
Learns War Truth Near Guns
Root then plunged into Ameri
cas- own problem OF the present
time.
Almost in sound of the guns"
he said I'VE came nearer to the
truth OF the war than We had been
before.
I'VE see now why ii is that all
the world is at war. We see that
for centuries we have been build
ing up a structure of civilization.
We believed the world was grow.
ing better. more humane. more
Just, more willing TO permit fellow
men to enjoy freedom.
I'VE believed that the dark
period of tyranny had passed away.
"ln that cause of civilization and
freedom, our American republic
was born, and all that is best in
American nature. was given in that
cause.
Autocraey Challenges World
But we find today, instead. that
a great military autocracy has
thrown down the gauntlet to civ
ilization and liberty. Germany re-
pudiates the rule OF morality of
nations. II casts aside the law of
nations to which she solemnly
agreed when it's interests conflict
with them. Treaties are spurned.
Rules to ameliorate the horrors of
war are cast aside with cynical
disregard Innocent people and
countries are overrun.
"The principles of good and evil,
liberty and slavery. humanity and
cruelty have locked horns In con-
flict. The ideals of this republic
must go down before the German
Moloch or those loyal to these
ideals must throw their manhood
to its support,
I'VE are none too soon in begin
ming our preparation for preserva-
ton"
Besides Root, James A. Duncan
and Charles Edward Russell, of the