The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1917-05-03
MR.. ROOTS MISSION.
Delicate Task Undertaken by MOST
DISTINGUISHED Statesman.

IL
New York Tribune: Among Amerl,
cans now living who have deVoteu
themselves to international law anu
international relations Elihu ROOF IS
easily the most distinguished. lie Is
eminent both as publicist ana
statesman He has working as
well as a theoretical knowledge OF
American foreign policy.
No man could be found more com
petent than he is to head the Ameri-
can mission to Russia. And compel
ence is sorely needed in that post.
or all the political problems raised
by our entry into the war against
Germany as an ally OF the entente
nations. that of our relations with
the new government which mas
emerged in Russia is the most dell
cate.
There has been for generations
strong tradition of friendship pc
tween the United States and Russia
The Russian monarchy gave the
north moral support during the civil
war IT sold us Alaska and exun-
guished in our favor its territorial
holdings on the American continent
For Russia, when it was still an
iabsoluusm, we had marked attacn-
ment. Our good will and sympathy
have been deeply enlisted by the
revolution which has overthroWh
czarism and now promises to create
| in the old world another great de-
mocracy.
We would gladly go to Russla,s
aid. giving her freely what she needs
! in order to defend herself against
! the German invader. German armies
| have wrested Poland from her ana
! large parts of Luthuania and the
Baltic provinces. She is short OF
credit. munitions and railroad equip
ment. We can supply all these--'ne
more easily since we have sale
line of communication across the
| Pacific to Vladivostok or to Chinese
| ports.
If the new governme nt were more
definitely established, there would De
| no real obstacle to the manlfesta
ton of this country's cordial interest,"
/ in Russia, both as an old friend and
| a present ally. But as yet the scope
of the new regimes authority is 1a1
1 from clear. Nor is it entirely Ger
tain that Russia's new war pollcy
will be as satisfactory to her allies
as was the policy of the pre-reVoiu
! tionary government.
1t will be the delicate and exact
| ing task of the American mission &c
| offer American aid to the Russian
people, yet at the same time make
sure that the aims of the allies a.
a whole are to be promoted by thai
assistance. The internal situation II
Russia is confused. Evidently there
are influential elements there more
engrossed with internal reorganlza
ton than they are with the prosecu
ton of the war against the Teutonit
powers. 1t must be the first aim o.
American diplomacy to see thai
! American credit, munitions and rail
road equipment are used primarll,
for the promotion of these ends
which Russia, vast area of whose
territory is now held in pawn D!
Germany, has in common with tn'
other nations which are fighting t.
free the world of German terrorism
! The country is to be congratu
lated ON Mr.. Roots acceptance OF thu
craftsmanship Of the Russian mission
If he can put our relations with thu
: new government on basis insurlns
mutual advantage and establishing
complete harmony of aims and effort
he will have accomplished one of thu
great labors Of the war.