The Pickens sentinel. (Pickens, S.C.) 1911-2016, 1917-06-14
WILSON'S MESSAGE TO RUSSIA

delivered to the Russian Government
nv Ambassador Francis at Petrograd.
In full it is as follows:
"In view Of the approaching visit
of the American delegation to Russia
70 EXPRESS the deep friendship of tho
American people for the people or
Russia and to discuss the best and
most practical means Of cooperation
between the two peoples in carrying
the present struggle for the freedom
of all peoples to q successful consum-
nation, it seems opportune and appro-
pirate that should state again, In the
light of this new partnership, the OBJ
iects the United States has had in
mind in entering the war. Those OBJ.
jects have been very much beclouded
during the past few weeks by mis-
takes and misleading statements, and
the issues at stake are too moment
Gus, too tremendous, too significant
for the whole human race to permit
any misinterpretations Of misunder-
standings, however slight, to remain
uncorrected for moment.
THE war has begun to go against
1oIllduy, anu Ill lISlI uCopCIdlc uc-
sire to escape the inevitable ultimate
defeat, those who are in authority in
Germany are using every possible in
strumentality, are making use even Of
the influence Of groups and parties
among their own subjects to whom
they have never been just or fair or
even tolerant to promote propaganda
on both sides Of the sea which will
preserve for them their influence at
home and their power abroad to the
undoing Of the very men they are
using.
"The position of America in this war
is so clearly avowed that no man can
be excused for mistaking it. She
seeks no material profit or aggran-
dizement Of any kind. She is fight
ing for no advantage or selfish object
Of her own, but for the liberation Of
peoples everywhere from the aggres-
sions Of autocratic force. The ruling
classes in Germany have begun Of late
to profess like liberality and justice
of purpose but only to preserve the
power they have set up in Germany
and the selfish advantages which they
have wrongly gained for themselves
and their private objects Of power all
the way from Berlin to Babdad and
beyond. Government after Govern
ment has by their influence, without
open conquest of it's territory, been
linked together in a net Of intrigue
directed against nothing less than the
peace and liberty of the world. The
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broken, but cannot be broken unless
wrongs already done are undone; and
adequate measures must be taken to
prevent 1t from ever again being re-
woven or repaired.
"Of course, the Imperial German
Government and those whom 1t Is u.s.
ing for their own undoing are seeking
to obtain pledges that the war will
end in the restoration Of the status
quo ante. 1t was the status quo ante
out Of which this iniquitious war is-
sued forth, the power Of the Imperial
German Government within the En-
pire and it's widespread domination
and influence outside Of that Empire.
That status must be altered in such
fashion as to prevent any such hideOus
1--WE are fighting for the liberty, for
the self-government and the undic-
tated development Of all peoples, and
every feature Of the settlement that
concludes this war must be conceived
and executed for that purpose.
Wrongs must first be righted and then
adequate safeguards much be created
to prevent their being committed
again. We ought not to consider
reemdies merely because they have a
pleasing and sonorous sound. Prac-
tical questions can be settled only by
practical means. Phrases will not ac-
complish the result. Effective read
1ustments will and whatever readju5t-
ments are necessary must be made.
"But they must follow a principle
and that principle is plain. No people
must be forced under sovereignty un.
der which 1t does not wish to live. No
territory must change hands except
for the purpose Of securing those who
dnhabit 1t fair chance Of life and
liberty. No indemnities must be in.
sisted on except those that constitute
payment for manifest wrongs done
No readjustments Of power must be
made except such as will tend to SO.
cure the future peace of the world
and the future welfare and happiness
Of it's peoples.
"And then the free people Of the
world must draw together In some
common covenant some genuine and
practical cooperation that will in ef
feet combine their force ito secure
4 peace and Justice in the dealings Oh
{ nations with one another. The broth.