Omaha daily bee., 1917-06-18
ES Root Head of the u S. Commission, In Address to
Council of Ministers Pledges This Nations Support to
Great Slav People Now Striving to Gain Freedom
M Terschenecko, In Response, Declares Russia Will Con-
tnue War; Ambassador David R. Francis Presents
Mission at Marnsky Palace; Event That
Promises to Make World History.

| Petrograd (Via London), June H..
America sends another message to
Russia-that we are going to fight and
already have begun to fight for your
freedom equally with our own and we
ask you to fight for our freedom
equally with yours" said Elihu Root,
head of the American mission to Rus
sia, in addressing the council of minis
ters last night.
Mr.. Root in his address laid stress
on American disinteredness in the
war except so far as conserving de-
mocracy was concerned. In Russia,
he declared, America sees mo party,
no class, but great Russia as a whole,
one mighty, striving, aspiring democ-
racy."
M. Terschencko, minister of for
eign affairs, responded for the council
Of ministers to Mr.. Roots address Of
sympathy and good will on the part Of
the American government.
FRANCIS PRESENTS ROOT.
The American ambassador, David H.
Francis, presented, the Root mission
to the ministers in Marinsky palace,
explaining that the members Of the
mission had come to Russia to discov-
er how Ai.-erica can best cooperate
with its ally in forwarding the fight
against the common enemy.
The presentation was very Informal,
only few Russian official. and the
members OF the American embassy
attending. M. Kerensky, the youthful
minister of war, just back from the
front, wore the khaki blous OF COM
mon soldier
The ministers listened with rapt at
tention 10 Mr.. Roots addrc 5, which
was all impressive utterancc both in
substance and manner. MIR. Root
spoke S follows: rss-l-'s-.-se ''1als
Mr. President and Members of the
Council OF Ministers; The mission for
which | have the honor to speak is
charged by the government and peo-
pie OF the United States of America
with a message to the government
and people of Russia. The mission
comes from democratic republic.
Its members are commissioned and
instructed by the president, who holds
his high Office as chief executive OF
more than one hundred million free
people by virtue OF popular election,
in which more than eighteen million
votes were freely cast and fairly
counted pursuant to law, by univer-
sal, equal, direct and secret suffrage.
For one hundred and forty years
our people have been struggling with
the hard problems OF self-government.
With mary shortcomings, many mis-
takes, many imperfections, we still
have maintained order and respect
tor law, individual freedom and ma
tlonal independence.
How U. S. Has Grown.
Under the securit,' OF our own
laws we have grown in strength and
prosperity. But we value our free
dom more than wealth. We love lib
erty and we cherish above all Our
possessions the ideals for which our
fathers fought and sacrificed that
America might be free.
I'VE believe in tn. competence of
the power of democracy and in our
heart of hearts abides faith in the
coming of better world in which the
humble and oppressed of all lands
may be lifted up by freedom to a
heritage OF justice and equal oppor-
tunity.
The news of Russia's now-found
freedom brought to America univer
sal satisfaction and JOY. From all
the land sympathy and hope went out
to the new sister in .le circle OF
democracies. And the mission is sent
10 express that feeling
Democracy to Democracy.
The American democracy sends 10
the democracy OF Russia a greeting OF
sympathy, friendship. brotherhood,
God-speed. Distant America knows
little of the special conditio of Rus
sian life which must give form to the
government and laws which you are
about to create, As we have developed
our institutions TO serve the needs OF
our national character and life, so, VIC
assume that you will 'cyelop your i'll
StitutionS to serve the needs of Rus
sian character and life.
AS VIC look across the sea we dis
tlngulsh no party, no class. We sec
great Russia as a whole, as one
mighty striving, aspiring democracy
We know the self-control, essential
kindllness, strong common sense
courage and noble idealism of the
Russian character.
I'VE have faith i'll you all. We pray
Tor Gods blessing upon you all. We
believe you will solve your problems
that you will maintain your liberty