The Lancaster news. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1905-current, 1918-03-15
SYMPATHETIC NOTE is
SENT TO THE RUSSIANS
President Wilson Pledges American
Aid I'm Driving Out Au-
tocracy.

eve of the gathering at Moscow of
the Russian congress of soviets,
which is to pass judgment on the
German peace accepted by the Boil
shevili at Brest-Litovsk, Pres:d mt
Wilson has sent a message of SYM
pathy to the Russian people through
congress. with pledge that the
United States will avail itself of ev-
cry opportunity to aid them in driv-
ing out autocracy and restoring
Russia to her place in the world with
complete sovereignty ard independ-
ence
The United States now recognizes
no government in Russia, but the
President cabled his message to the
American consul at Moscow. for de-
livery to the congress. which is made
ur of soldiers and workmen's repre-
scntatives and speaks for a cons der
able part of the Russian people. The
message. made public by the state
department, was as follows:
The Presidents Message.
The Presidents message, telc-
graphed to the American consul gem
eral at Moscow, for delivery, fol-
lows:
May not take advantage of the
meeting of the congress of the SOW
lets to express the sincere sympathy
which the people of the United
States feel for the Russian people at
this moment, when the German
power has been thrust in to inter-
rupt and turn back the whole strug-
gle for freedom and substitute the
wishes Of Germany for the purpose Of
the people of Russia. Although the
government OF the United States is,
unhappily, not now in a position to
render the direct and effective aid it
would wish to render, l beg to as
sure the people of Russia, through
the congress, that 1t will avail itself
of every opportunity to secure for
Russia once more complete sover-
eighty and independence in her own
affairs ard full restoration to her
great role in 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 at
tempt to free themselves forever
from autocratic government and be-
come the masters of their own life.
"(Signed) Woodrow Wilson"
To Demand New Accounting.
Thus, in his first formal word to
Russia since the revolution-torn
country, under the leadership of the
Bolsheviki, deserted the allied cause.
the President indicates the purpose
or the United States to disregard the
hard terms upon which the German
and Austrian war lords have promis-
ed peace to the Russians, and to de-
mand an accounting upon a very diff
ferent basis when victory at last shall
be achieved by America and the al
lies.
The President does not urge the
soviets to reject the peace treaty,
though the delivery OF his message
at this time may be interpreted as
suggesting such a course. In fact,
it is conceded in official circles that
there is scant ground for hope that
the congress and what remains OF a
give approval to the German terms.
Trotzky, the Bolshevic foreign min
lister, has resigned and from Lenine.
the premier. who apparently controls
the regime. nothing is expected.
New Uprising Probable.
But there seems still to be a strong
belief her that difficulty for Ger
many in the east by no means is
ended that as the humiliating ma
ture of the Teutonic terms begins t.
be realized by the greatness of Rus
slams and the tyranny of the war
lords in occupied territory shows it
self, there will be a new uprising
that will make itself felt Whether
or not anything resembling a strong
central government capable OF max
ing organized resistance on large
scale, is developed. the hope here is
that the determination of great num-
bers OF the Russians to fight op-
preston will find expression in some
way that will give the Germans
much to do in the east until the ul-
innate victory in the west, about
which no doubt is entertained. puts
the United Statpe and tho alIias in