The review. [volume] (High Point, N.C.) 1908-19??, 1917-06-14
WILSON'S MESSAGE TO RUSSIA

ueuVered to the Russian Government
ny Ambassador Francis at PetrograG
In fall it is as follows:
IN view Of the approaching Tisi
VI the American delegation to Russi;
~ express the deep friendship of tn,
american people for the people O
RUSSIA and to discuss the best anc
most practical means of cooperation
between the two peoples in carrying
the present struggle for the freedom
VI all peoples to a successful consum
matlon, it seems opportune and appro
pirate that should state again, in the
llgnt OF this new partnership, the OBJ
Jects the United States has had in
mind IN entering the war. Those oh.
Jects nave been very much beclouded
curing the. past few weeks by mis-
takes and misleading statements, and
the issues at stake are too moment
Gus, too tremendous, too significant
LOT the whole human race to permit
any neutrality-suspicious. of misunder-
standings, however slight, to remain
uncorrected for a moment.
The war has begun to go against
germany, and in their desperate de-
sire to escape the inevitable ultimate
defeat, those who are in authority in
Germany are using every possible in
strumentality, are making use even of
the influence of groups and parties
among their own subjects to whom
they have never been just or fair or
even tolerant to promote propaganda
On both sides of the sea which will
preserve for them their influence at
home and their power abroad to the
undoing of the very men they are
using.
"The position of America in this war
is so clearly avowed that no man can
be excused for mistaking it. She
seeks no material profit or aggran-
dizement of any kind. She is fight
ing for no advantage or selfish object
of her own, but for the liberation of
peoples everywhere from the agrees
sions of autocratic force. The ruling
classes in Germany have begun of late |
to profess a like liberality and justice |
OF purpose, but only to preserve the
power they have set up in Germany
and the selfish advantages which they
have wrongly gained for themselves
and their private objects of power all
he way from Berlin to Babdad and
beyond. Government after Govern
nent has by their influence, without
open conquest of it's territory, been
linked together in a net of intrigue
directed against nothing less than the
'eace and liberty of the world. The
neshes Of that intrigue must be
roken, but cannot be broken unless
7rOngs already done are undone; and
dequate measures must be taken to
revent it from ever again being re-
7Oven or repaired.
"Of course, the Imperial German
government and those whom it is u.s.
1g for their own undoing are seeking
} obtain pledges that the war will
nd in the restoration of the status
no ante. It was the status quo ante
1T Of which this ubiquitous war is
led forth, the power Of the Imperial
erman Government within the En-
Ire and its widespread domination
I'd influence outside Of that Empire.
hat status must be altered in such
shion as to prevent any such hideous
ing from ever happening again.
eve are fighting for the liberty, for
10 se1f-government and the undic-
ted development of all peoples, and
cry feature of the settlement that
includes this war must be conceived
d executed for that purpose. 4
rongs must first be righted and then
equate safeguards much be created =
prevent their being committed n
ain. We ought not to consider
emdies merely because they have a
easing and sonorous sound. Prac-
al questions can be settled only by
actica1 means. Phrases will notNac-
mplish the result. Effective read
;tments will and whatever readjust-
nts are necessary must be made.
'But they must follow principle
d that principle is plain. No people
LIST be forced under sovereignty I'M
r which it does not wish to live. No
'ritory must change hands except
the purpose of securing those who
rabbit it fair chance of life and
erty. No indemnities must be in
ted on except those that constitute
yment for manifest wrongs done.
readjustments of power must be
de excent such as will tend to Sc
q the future peace Of the worlG -
| the future welfare and happiness
it's peoples. -
And then the free people of the =
I'D must draw together in some
mon covenant, some genuine and
ctical cooperation that will in eff
combine their force to secure
ce and Justice in the dealings of
Ions with one another. The broth
ood of mankind must no longer be
air but empty phrase; it must be
n structure of force and reality.
nations must realize their COM