New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-06-10
Our Message to Russia


President Wilson's note to the Russian
government, written some weeks ago anu
now released. deserves the highest praise
II is clear and courageous. 1t develops IN
farms which the Russian government ought
70 he able TO understand, the real meaning
Of the war against German autocracy'
The absolutely essential thing IS to de-
strov that autocracy. What IS TO be done
after7xard. in the way of securing the re-
s,1lts of the war, is Of secondary lmpor-
tance With admirable wisdom Mr.. VIII
son therefore commits the United States
IN the policy of absolutely avoiding entan-
Cling phrases in the statement Of Allied
peace aims -.
The peace programme Of no annexauonS
md M indemnities, subtly and insincerely
spppested by Bethmann-Hollweg and need
Iessly snapped up by the radical factions
NOW in control at Petrograd, is a lure Tor
Tho Allies. Germany will certainly not
ab;d. bv the principle which it proclaims
if she feels strong enough to retain any
Of the territory which her armies have con-
onered in the last three years. She cratti-
" nnts forward an idea which may please
the Russian revolutionists solely IN the
hone Of creating dscord among the Allies
row fighting for the overthrow of German
-
autocracy and the abolition of the peril
which German militarism constitutes to the
peace Of the world
Our government is not to be taken IN by
trick formulas. We seek no territorial ag-
crandizement for ourselves. We are not
concerned in laying down any hard and
fast rule respecting anneXations and IN
IDENTITIES. What we are concerned about
il bringing Germany's career as an inter-
national marauder to an end-in Stacking
Germany's criminal ambitions and enforc-
ing just retribution for the outrages which
Germany, in her lust for world power has
committed and is still committing.
The United States is not interested in
territorial readiustments which are to fol-
low the war, except to see that they serve
a beneficial purpose in securing the world
against future German aggression. We
reserve the right TO pass upon the eXpe-
diency Of territorial changes when the
war ends. These changes are, in our view,
incidental to the main purpose of the con-
fict, which is to humble Germany and put
her under bonds to keep the peace. So
long as we accomplish that end we shall
not worry over the particular theory Of
geographical reimbursement which is to be
adhered TO when settlement is made.
Our government now stands squarely
with France, Great Britain and Italy in
refusing to bargain away its freedom Of
action by subscribing to peace generaliza-
tons Of German origin, constructed to
serve German interests. We must destroy
Kaiserism That is the one thing essen
tlal. As to peace terms, as President VIII
son rightly points out they must be such
as will guarantee German innocuousness
for long time to come. If anneXations
and indemnities are necessary to shackle
German frightfulness, then we are for
them. We shall not be deferred from
reaping the benefits Of victory by any
hair-splitting over annexations and indem-
mites, by any foolish suggestions that
the restoration Of the territorial status quo
ante is the only formula which will lead to
d benefcent and durable peace.