The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1917-06-25
ROOT WINS SOCIALISTS
His Address at Moscow Meets APP
proval of Russians.

| Moscow, June 25.-The first meeting
here attended Friday by Elihu Root
| and the other members of the Ameri-
can commission was held in the pal
ace OF the governor-general. There as
sembled representatives of the zem-
stvo and municipal unions. the Zem-
stvo industrial committee and the
Moscow council of the workmen's and
soldiers deputies. The meeting was
in the nature of a test case to deter
mine whether the commission was to
have the real sympathy OF the social
ist element in the country.
1t is said there that no foreigner
ever before succeeded in enlisting the
attention and interest of this associa-
tion of committees representing the
working masses of Moscow. But as
Mr.. Root began to speak antagonism
and Indifference yielded to rapt atten-
tion and he was warmly applauded at
the reception.
I'VE have seen nothing since we
came to Russia that gives cause for
criticism" said Mr.. Root. 1--WE mar
vel at the self-control, the kindliness
of spirit and the sound commonsense
that the Russians display We feel
that the work you are doing in the
comittees is on the right path toward
an actual permanent democracy
The representatives of the various
groups replied, formally welcoming
Mr.. Root and the other members of
the commission The only inharmo-
nious note was sounded by Mr.. Grigo
ref. representing the workingmen's
council. He said
1--WE hope that peace will be con-
cluded as soon as possible. And this
will be different from past peace
treaties because peace will be con-
cluded not by diplomatists but by the
masses. hope that America will sup
port Russia in its desire for peace
in the near future"
NJ. Grigorieff explained however, in
a discussion at the conclusion of the
meeting with James Duncan vice
president of the American federation
Of labor that he did not wish to be
interpreted as saying that Russia
would quit fighting before it was pos
sible to arrange peace in the best in
The entire assembly arose and |
cheered the Americans when they
left the hail. At the second meeting
before the city duma, Mr.. Root said =
1--WE have heard reports about dan |
gers threatening your new liberty, but |
we hope you will find a way of ex-
panding your experience in local self |
government into power which will |
govern the whole nation. We have |
the marvellous spectacle of people |
remaining peaceful and preserving the |
rights of others without the enforce |
ment of lava people waiting only |
for the establishment of strong gov
ernment which will lay down the prop
er basis for law and order You have |
made sacrifices in the past; we know
that you will still make sacrifices to |
preserve your freedom won at such |
a high cost. Now comes the test. /
You must make sacrifices. You must |
struggle until your liberty is secure. |
We have faith that Russia will do |
this
The mayor in replying said: Rus |
sia welcomes Americas assistance in |
her presnt period of infirmity and |
economic exhaustion. He concluded |
with eulogy of President Wilson,
saying: "The aims of the war. the |
definition of the problem standing be-
fore humanity have been given by |
your great pacifist, President Wilson.
who, in preserving the ideal of peace,
has realized the vital importance of
the struggle His way of speaking
appeals to u.s." On motion of the
mayor, the meeting unanimously decid-
ed to send telegram to President
Wilson, thanking him for sending the
Root commission to Russia.