South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-06-10
PRESIDENT TELLS RUSSIA
THAT NATION SEEKS NO
TERRITORY OR INDENNITIES
Opposes Germany S
Proposal to Restore
the Status Quo
AnteBellum."
Associated Press Service:

Associated Press Service:
WASHINGTON. June O.
PreS't Wilson today in his mes
sage To the new Russian govern
ment made a clear cut and I'M
miStakably plain statement of the
principles upon which the United
States had entered the titanic
world struggle.
Almost at the outset of his
message the president says: "NO
territory must change hands ex-
cept for the purpose of securing
those who inhabit it a fair chance
at life and liberty"
PreS't Wilson also declares
that: No indemnitieS must be
insisted upon except those that
constitute payment for manifest
wrongs.
Most Practical Document.
Officials here regard the mes
sage as one of the most altruiS-
tic and at the same time most
practical documents ever written
by a public official or head Of the
United States government. and
they believe that the commune
cation will have 4 heartening ef-
feet on the provisional govern
ment in power at Petrograd. AL
though PreS't Wilson's COM
munication is along the lines
fOrecaStei by his previous utter
anceS along the same line, he
has strengthened his arguments
and put considerably more pow
er behind the announced position
of the nation.
The presidents message is
firm in the declaration that:
mo establishments Of power
must he made, except such as
will tend Is secure the future
peace of the world and the
future welfare and happiness of its
people"
Against Ante BeIIum DAYS.
ON unmistakeable terms. Pres't
Wilson declares against Germany's
proposal 70 restore the status quo"
before the war
EFT was the status quot ante out Of
which this iniquitous war issued
forth ne says. the power OF the
imperial German government within
The empire and its widespread DOM
ination and influence outside Of that
empire.
That status must Doe altered in
such fashion as 90 prevent any such
hileous thing from ever happening
arain."
Text Of the Message.
The presidents communication
was delivered 10 the Russian govern
ment by Ambassador Francis az
Petrograd I'm fun 10 is as follows.
I'm view OF The approaching visit
of the American delegation 20 Rus
STA 10 express the deep friendship
of the American people for the peo-
pie Of Russia and 10 discuss the best
and most practical means OF CO.
operation between the two peoples
TO successful contamination. L
seems opportGne and appropriate
that ] should state again. in the
light OF this new partnership. the
objects the United States has had
in mind in entering the war Those
objects have been very much be-
ci0uded during the past few weeks
by mistaken and misleading state
meuts and the issues 40 stake are
too momentous. too tremendous.
too significant for the whole human
race 70 permit any misinterpreta-
tions or misundersta ndings. however
slight. 20 remain uncorrected for a
moment
The war has begun 20 90 against
Germany. and in their desperate de-
sire 20 escape the inevitable ulti-
mate defeat those who are In au-
thority In Germany are using every
possible instrumentality. are max
ing use even OF the influence Of
groups and parties among their
own subjects 20 whom they have
never been Just or fair or even toll
Grant. 20 promote a propaganda OF
both sides Of the sea which VIII
preserve for them their influence at
home and their power abroad. 20
the undoing Of the very men they
are using
Americas Position Clear.
The position OF America in this
war IS So clearly avowed that no
man can be excused for nistaking
IT, She seeks 40 material profit or
fC0NTTN-T-ED OK PACE -T9RFE1