The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1917-06-11
NO DISSENTING VOTES
Business Leaders Say COun-
try Must Continue in
War Until End.
DENOUNCE GERMAN AIMS
Resolutions Assert Freedom
Can Come Only Through
Victory Over Enemy.
Special Gable Despatch TO THH suS


PErRooRAp, June 1o.-The most
heartening sign Of the times In Russia
Is the firm and enthusiastic determine
tion Of all the ablest business men of
the nation that the new republic shall
remain faithful to the Allies and shall
make no separate peace with Germany
There has just ended here the largest
meeting the Union Of Commerce and
Industry ever has held. This union IL
similar to an American chamber OF
commerce. Its members are the pro-
gressive business men. the manufactur-
ers, the bankers Of Russia. 1t 10 prob
ably the most enlightened and most
common sense body of men in the ma
tion. not given to rainbow chasing as
are some elements now occupying the
centre of the stage.
These men, not deluded by Utopian
theories, discussed the whole situation
of the new Russia and every aspect OF
the war. They listened TO speeches by
their most prominent members. men who
have the vision to see Russia's great
future as a free nation. They heard
what representatives OF all the allied
embassies had to say.
Not a Dissenting Voice.
dissenting voice. but amid storms OF
cheers. they passed a resolution which
ends in these words:
"However heavy the trials may be
which fate has In store for Russia and
her allies. Russia will remain faithful tO
the end to those allies, to whom she Is
plighted for life ana death. Russia will
not live with the brand Of traitor on her
forehead and eternal remorse and shame
In her heart"
There spoke the men who bear re-
sponslbility for the future upbuilding
OF Russia, for the development OF the
untold resources OF the nation. They
are not reactionaries. they hated the
old regime rs heartily as the most rabid
anarchist haranguing in the Nevsky
Prospect they took a leading part in
the revolution that made Russia free.
though now the radicals are claiming
that revolution as their own.
Such men az they. OF the same type as
practical American business men. know
how Russia's growth would be stunted
by the peaceful penetration" OF Ger
man business They have had for years
to struggle against the German influence
in Russia, which stified Russian initia-
tive almost as much as did the old
bureaucracy. They stand for Russia for
the Russians, not Russia for German ex-
ploitation.
Pledge All Their Energy.
These men assert openly that they
will cevote all their energy and all their
efforts, will throw all their large infiu-
ence toward combating the German In
spired idea OF a separate peace. They
have made their sacrifices to the new
order. yielding to all manner OF extreme
and unreasonable demands. doubled and
trebled pay for workmen, a six hour
day, holidays unnumbered A separate
peace, they remind Russia, was what
the old regime headed by the perfidious
Sturmer, was working for. Shall the
Russian democracy follow in the foot
steps OF the old regime?
I The whole resolution passed by these
men. and announced to Russia and to
the world as their platform. shows
clearly how closely and why the most
stable men in Russia are the fast frencs
OF the Allies and the enemies OF Ger
/ many
"In these days, when the public opin-
| ion OF the Allies is agitated by rumors
\ that free Russia is about to conclude
separate peace with Germany. the com
mercial and industrial classes deem II
/ their duty to address TO the Industrial
world Of the allied nations the following
declaration" 1t opens.
mot from egotistical motives. not for
the purpose OF Strengthening the position
OF capital did we welcome the friendship
| of the Allies We were firmly convinced
| that these bonds of friendship alone
could save Russia from the tyranny and
oppression OF Germany both In the po-
litical and economic future OF the coun-
try.
AT the present time. as in the past.
the Russian Industrial and commercial
classes openly declare that they never
were moved by ideas OF imperialistic ex-
panson. The enormous natural re-
sources and the unlimited riches con-
cealed in Russia call us to peaceful
work and development. Political and
economic freedom, free OF interference
from abroad. was and remains the creed
Of the Russian industrial and CONNER
cial classes.
Allies Welcomed.
Every new ally who joined the AL
lance against the Central Powers we
cordially welcomed as new factor In
attaining freedom and the end OF the
bloody struggle. Up to the present the
Allies firmly united have fought and
died together on the battleields. and It
appeared that nothing on earth could
undo the holy bonds.
Now, when the sacrifices OF blood
seem to have brought nearer the end a