The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1917-06-17
ROOT ADMON|SHES
SLAV To FIGHT
DANGER MENACES DEMOCRA "y
OF RUSSIA AND DEMOCRACY Z
OF AMERICA. =
SPEAKS AT PETROGT !
Head of Commission From d
States Quotes From War Me Of
President Wilson Wherein Il i've
Says Make World Safe,

Petrograd, June Is, via London. June
16.-America sends message to Russia
that we are going to fight and already
have begun to fight for your freedom
equally with our own. and we ask you
to fight for our freedom equally with
yours" said Elihu Root, head Of the
American mission to Russia in address
ing the council of ministers tonight
Mr. Root spoke as follows:
MIR. President and members of the
council Of ministers:
The commission for which | have
the honor to speak. is charged by the
government and people of the United
States Of America with a message TO
the government and people Of Russia.
The commission comes from a demo
cratic republic. It's members are com.
missioned and instructed by a presi-
dent who holds his high office as chief
executive of more than one hundred
millions of free people by virtue Of
. popular election.
How America Struggled.
"For one hundred and forty years our
people have been struggling with the
hard problems of self-goyernment. with
many shortcomings, many mistakes,
many imperfections. we still have main
tanned order and respect for law and
individual freedom. Under the securi.
~ Of our own laws we have grown i'm
strength and prosperity. But we value
our freedom more than wealth. We
love liberty, and we cherish above all
our possessions the ideals for which
our fathers fought and sacrificed that
America might be free
"The news Of Russia's new found
freedom brought to America universal
satisfaction and JOY. From the land
sympathy and hope went out to the
new sister in the circle Of democracies.
And the commission is sent to express
that feeling.
American Democracy TO Russian
Democracy.
The American democracy sends TO
the democracy Of Russia greeting Of
sympathy. friendship, brotherhood, God.
speed. Distant America knows little Of
the special conditions Of Russian life,
which must give form TO the govern
ment ana laws which you are about TO
create. As we have developed institu.
tions TO serve the needs Of our national
character and life, so, we assume that
you win develop your institutions to
serve the needs OF Russian character
and life.
AS we look across the sea- we dis.
tinguish no party no class. We see
great Russia as a whole. as one mighty.
striving aspiring democracy. We know
the self-control, essential kindness,
strong common sense, courage and no.
bic ideallsm OF the Russian character.
We have faith in you all. We pray
for Gods blessing upon you all. We be-
lieve YOU viii solve your problems. that
you will maintain your liberty. and that
our two great nations will march side
by side in the triumphant forward
movement OF democracy until the old
order everywhere has passed away and
the world is freed.
Danger Threatens Both Nations
One fearful danger threatens the lib.
erty Of both nations. The armed forces
Of military autocracy are at the gates
OF Russia and the entente allies. The
triumph OF German arms will mean the
death OF liberty In Russia. No enemy
Is at the gates OF America. but Ameri.
ca has come 10 realize that the triumph
OF German arms means the death OF
liberty In the world; that we who love
lhaFfN 10
for H. and fight for 1t now when the
free democracies OF the world may be
strong In union and not delay until
they may be beaten down separately in
succession
so America sends another message
TO Russia, that we are going 10 fight.
and have already begun TO fight for
your freedom equally with our own, and
we ask you TO fight for our freedom
equally with yours. We would make
your cause ours and our cause yours.
and with common purpose and mutual
helpfulness OF firm alliance. make sure
OF victory over our common foe.
Quotes Wilson's War Message.
You will recognize your own senti.
ments and purposes In the words OF
President Wilson 20 the American con.
gress when on the second OF Aprii last
he advised declaration OF war against
Germany he said;
I'VE are accepting this challenge
OF hostile purpose because we know
that In such government tthe German
government following such methods
we can never have "A friend. and that
In the presence OF It's organized power
always lying In wait to accomplish
we know not what purpose-there can
be no assured security for the democrat
ic governments Of the world. We are
now about TO accept the gauge Of bat.
tie with this natural foe 20 liberty.
and shall. II necessary. spend the whole
force OF the nation to check and nunlfy
its pretenslons and its power. We are
glad now that we see the facts with
no veil or false pretense about them, to
fight thus for the ultimate peace OF
the world and for the liberation of its
peoples. the German people included,
o.. .l..l.N