The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1917-06-13

CHANGE or TERRITORY ONLY TO
INSURE FAIR CHANCE OF
I1rE AND LIBERTY.
WI1son Sends Message tn Russia--
ln<lcnnnltScs only m "F,wymcnt for
NEnn1esst wrongs Donc," says the
Pvcs16sut.

new government of Russia has made
phin the war aims OF the United
SeAtes and its position on mo annexa-
/ ton. mo- indemnities."
mo territory must change hands
sxcept for the purpose of securing for
thoss who inhabit 1t d fair chance OF
NE and liberty" says the communi-
cation.
mo indemnitics must be insisted on
except those that constitute payment
. Cor manifest wrongs done.
E mo rsadtustments OF power must
~ made except such, as viii tend to Sc
cure the future peace Of the world
an1 the future welfare and happiness
o. In people"
In unmistakable terms President
wilson declares against Germany's
proposals. to restore the status quo"
before the war.
'Tt was the status quo ante out of
vhioh this iniouitous war issued
f0rth." hs says. The power of the
iBspsrial German government within
The empire and Its widespread domi-
pstion and influence outside/o OF that
empire.
The presidents communication was
dtIivered to the Russian government
fby Ambassador Francis. at Petrograd.
In full II reads an follows:
In view of the approaching visit OF
the American delegation to Russia TO
express the deep friendship OF the
American people for the people of
Russh and to discuss the best and
most practical means Of cooperation
5 between the two peoples In carrying
the present struggle for the freedom
Of all peoples to a successful consum-
nation. II seems opportune and ap-
propriate that ! should state again In
the light OF this new partnership the
objects the United States has had in
mind In entering the war. Those OBJ
jects have beer, very much becloud-
cd during the past few weeks by ms
tskcn and misleading statements and
tho Issues Mt stiike are too numerous,
too tremendous, too significant for the
whole human race to permit any mis-
Interpretation or MISUNDERSTANDING
however slight. to remain uncorrected
for O. moment.
The war has begun to go against
\ Germany and In their desperate de-
sire to escape inevitable defeat those
who are In authority In Germany are
using every possible instrumentality.
are making use even Of the influence
Of groups and parties among their
own subjects to whom they have
rover been just or fair. or even tolcr-
ant. to promote a Propaganda on both
s'dea 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 In 81 clearly avowed that no
man can bc excused for mistaking II.
She seeks no material profit or ag-
grandtxcment OF any kind. She IN
nshting for no advantage or selfish
object of her own. but for the lib
Grafton Of peoples everywhere from
tho aggression Of autocratic force.
The ruling classes In Germany have
begun Of late TO profess a like lib
erality and justice of purpose. but
only To preserve the power they have
set up In Germany and tho selfish ad-
vanrascs which they have wrongly
esined for themselves. and their pri-
vate projects of power all the way
from Berlin to Basdad and beyond.
Government after government has
by their influence. without open con-
quest OF It's territory. been linked to-
scther In net OF intrigue directed
against nothing less than the peace
ana liberty Of the world. The meshes
OF that intrigue must be broken. but
cannot be broken unless wrongs al
ready done are undonc. and adequate
measures must be taken to prevent il
from ever again being rewoven or
repaired.
"Of course, the Imeprial German
government and those whom 1t Is
using for their own undoing are seek
Ing to obtain pledges that the war
will end In the restoration of the
status quo ante. IL was the status
quo ante out Of which this iniquitous
war issued forth. the power of the
Imperial German government within
the empire and Its widespread domi-
nation and influence outside of that
empire. That status must be altered
I'm such fashion NJ To preyent any