Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1917-05-23
This In Reply to Russia's So
gan: mo Annexation and
No IndemnitieS"
OBJECT TO OVERCOME
PRUSSIAN AUTOCRACY
Presidents Letter To Repre-
sentative HapEn VIII Have
Weight In PetrOgrad

Washington, May 23,-The United
states government plans before long 20
make formal statement of its attitude
toward the Russian soldiers and work
mems slogan, "no annexations, no in
IDENTITIES .
This statement, while not yet reveal
ed, win doubtless take form similar
to that of French Premier Ribot's state
ment in Paris. The state department
let it be known officially today that it
sympathizes with Ribot's remarks.
As America was the first nation
fighting Germany to recognize new Rus
sia, so America today is the first to re-
spond to the new Russian provisional
government s desire that the allies re-
state their war aims.
Such was the Interpretation placed
here today on President Wilson Is 20 war
aims letter to Representative Heflin.
1t was pointed out that the policy most
emphasized in this communication was
that the United States is fighting Ger
man autocracy--not the German people.
In addition, the president reaffirmed
his previous utteranees that the United
states does not seek momentary indem-
lnitiess nor additional land and desires
nothing for itself out Of the war
| This means, judging from Ribot Is re-
marks, that the United States favors
the return of Alsace Lorraine to France
and restoration and indemnities for the
small nations, including Belgium, which
Germany has ruthlessly overrun.
Written for Russia.
The American statement will be an
! individual pronouncement of position,
| though it will be in accord with the gen
eral ideas of the allies. This statement
Of Americas views probably win in
clude more definite and concrete an
nouncement OF America s war aims than
anything to date.
Those who viewed the president IS let
ter in the light that it was particularly
addressed to Russia predicted today it
would have great weight in Petrograd
The administration has been fearful
that Russians would accept too readily
German propaganda falsely represent
ing the allies position.
~ have again and again stated the
very serious and long continued wrongs
which the imperial German government
has perpetratcd against the rights, com
merce and the citizens of the United
States,' the president continued, 1.-THE
list is long and overwhelming No ma
ton that respected itself or the rights
of humanity could have borne these
wrongs any longer. There is no hate in
our hearts for the German people, but
there is resolve which cannot be shak-
en- even by Misrepresentation, to over
come the pretensions of the autocratic
government which acts upon purposes to
which the German people have never
consented"
Translation Suggested.
Soon after formation of the new
coalition cabinet in Petrograd, it was
announced in United Press dispatches
that the new ministry would endeavor
to seek from the allies their interpReta-
ton of the phrase emo annexations
and no indemnities,' and that Presi-
dent Wilson s aid would be invoked in
this and in obtaining null publicity of
the treaty relations binding the allies
together.
The phrase ono annexations and no
indemnities" is the product of German
propaganda, il being the incorrect in
terpretation Of the Russian words really
meaning ono forced annexations and no
contributions. The government IS
statement win probably give America s
Interpretation of this phrase and may
be expected to add powerful weight
against the German propaganda influ-
ence.