The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1918-03-16
WILSON SENDS MESSAGE.
CONGRESS OF sOvEITs RECEIVES
ASSURANCE OF FRIENDLY
SYMPATHY.
United states Unfortunately Not
Now I'm Position to Assist Slavs I'm
Freeing Themselves From Yoke of
Autocracy.

eve OF the gathering at Moscow of the
Russian congress of soveits, which is
To pass judgment on the German
made peace accepted by the Bolshe-
Wiki at Brest-Litovsk. President VIII
son has sent a message of sympathy
to the Russian people through the
congress with pledge that the Unit
cd States will avail itself OF every
opportunity to aid them in driving
out autocracy and restoring Russia
10 her place i'm the world with cora-
pleto sovereignty and independence.
The United states now recognizes
nc government in Russia, but the
president cabled his message to the
American consul at Moscow for de-
. livery tomorrow to the congress
which is made up OF soldiers and
workmen's representatives and speak
ing for ut least n considerable part
of the Russian people. The message,
hnade public by the state department,
was as follows
May l not take advantage of the
meeting OF the congress OF the
soveits to express the sincere sympa-
thy which the people of the United
States feel for the Russian people at
this moment when the German power
has been thrust in To interrupt and
turn back the whole struggle for free
dom and substitute the wishes of Ger
many for the purpose OF the people
OF Russia. Although the government
or the United States Is. unhappily.
not now I'm n position to render the
direct and effective aid IL would wish
to render, 1 beg to assure the people
o. Russia through the congress that
IL will avail itself OF every opportun-
ity to secure for Russia once more
complete sovereignty and independ-
ence In her own affairs and full res
terutj0n to her great role I'm the life
OF Europe and the modern world.
The whole heart OF the people Of the
United States is with the people OF
Russia In the attempt TO free them
selves forever from autocratic gov
ernment and become the masters of
their own life
(Signed) Woodrow Wilson"
Thus I'm his first formal word to
Russia since that revolution torn
country under the leadership OF the
Bolsheviki deserted the allied cause,
the president indicates the purpose
% the United States to disregard the
hard terms upon which the German
and Austrian war lords have prom
ised peace TO the Russians and to de-
mand an accounting upon a different
basis. when victory at least shall be
achieved by America and the allies.
The president does not urge the So
veits to reject the peace treaty though
the delivery OF his message ut this
time may be interpreted as suggest
ing such "a course. In fact ii is con-
coded I'm official circles that there is
scant ground for hope that the con-
kress and what remains of a govern
ment I'm Russia will refuse to give ap-
proval to the German terms. Trotzky,
the Bolsheviki foreign minister. has
resigned and from Lenine, the pre-
mier. who apparently controls the
regime. nothing Is expected.
But there seems to be still strong
belief here that difficulty for Germany
I'm the east by no means is ended
that as the humiliating nature OF the
German terms begins to be realized
by the great mass OF Russians and
the tyranny OF the war lords in occu-
pied territory shows itself there viii
be a new uprising that will make
itself felt. Whether or not anyth,pp
resembling strong central govern
nent capable OF making organized
resistance on a large scale is devotion
ed. the hope here is that the deter
mination OF great numbers OF the
Russians to fight oppression will find
expression some day that will give the
Germans much to do In the east un l.
ul the ultimate victory In the west.
aoout which no dopbt is entertained.
puts the United States and the allies
In the position to give that direct anI
e"ecuve aid of which President WI
son speaks.
Coming at the time II does. the
presidents message may serve to les.
sen misgivings In Russia over tin
proposed intervention by Japan in
siberia. The understanding here is
th"t there is no difference OF opin
ion nmnnn the Milo. -..--1 ., -