The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1918-03-12
WILSON PLEDGES
 RUSSIANS AID 0F US. GOVERNMENT

Washington, March 12-"The whole heart of the people of the United States is with the people of Russia in the attempt to free themselves for ever from autocratic government ana become masters of their own life"
 This is the concluding sentence of message to the Russian people from President Wilson, cabled to Maddin Summers, American Consul General at Moscow.
 MT. Summers is instructed to de- liver the Presidents message to the Congress of Soviets, which is recog- nized as really representative of the Russian people. The congress meets today in the old capital to consider the treaty of peace forced on the Bol- shevik government by Germany. President Wilson does not advise the delegates to the congress to reject the peace agreement, but the trans mission of such a message at this | critical moment in the struggle of the Russians for democracy, it is felt 1 here, is certain to have the effect of strengthening the resolution of those who are opposed to lowing the knee | to Germany.
 Despite the unhappy developments which have followed each other in rapid succession, President Wilson has maintained a sympathetic view of the political struggle that has been going on in Russia since the Czar was dethroned. He has earnestly hoped that strong coalition Govern ment representing all major political parties would arise on the ruins of the old autocracy and stand deter minedly against the Central Powers. 1 The message made public last night is more than message of sympathy from the people of the United States to the people of Russia. It is def mite promise of assistance by the American Government at every op- portunity in the future.
 It is recalled that Ambassador Francis a few days ago, at Vologda, expressed the hope that the Con- gress of Soviets would not ratify the German peace pact, and, on his own responsibility, pledged recognition and material assistance by the United States for any Government set up by the Russian people which would con- tinue the struggle against Germany. MT. Francis assured the Russians of the continued good will of the United States and declared that we had no territorial ambitions in Russia.
 It is regarded as an open question here whether the congress will ratify the peace treaty. This course is ad- vised by Premier Lenine on the ground that Russia is not at present able to 1 offer effective resistance to the Ger man army and it would be better for ma1ly to ratify the pact and then set about recognizing Russia.
 The State Department has received no confirmation of the press report that Ambassador Francis and M Uchida, the Japanese Ambassador are ebing detained by the Bolshevih Officials place no credence in the re- port. having yesterday received a dis patch from Minister Morris at Stock. holm, stating he was in communica- ton with MT. Francis at VoEogda. The
 latter made no mention of having been detained. The understanding here has been that the American Am
 bassador planned to remain indef- nitely at Vologda-
 Another dispatch from Minister Morris quotes Swedish press report. as saying that the German occupation
 of the Aland Islands was the resul of an understanding with the Ffnnist
 government and that the Germans
 would remain only long enough to re store order.
 Confirmation also was received
 from Stockholm of the resignation O.
 Trotzky as Bolshevik Foreign Minis ter. The despatch added that Gen Hoffmann, German military delegate to the Brest-Litovsk congress, apolo gized to War Commissary Krylenkt for this further advance of German troops into Russia after the signing of the peace pact. The State Depart
 ment's advices indicated, however that the advance continues.
 In an authoritative official quarter . yesterday it was declared that "Japar , has an open mind' on the question O } sending a military expedition into Si
 beria. The expression of America'
 vefws in opposition to such a projec
 has had the effect of postponing {
 final decision and causing both tht Allies and Japan to give the matter
 most serious consideration.