Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1918-03-13

Wilson to Russia; ToIstoy to Germany
President Wilson's message Of SYM
pathy and pledge Of loyalty to Russia
will bring wave Of hope to intelligent
millions. as a sign" in the heavens to
the superstitious. The duplicity of
Germany and the hollowness Of her
pretenses have been set. forth by Count
Ilya Tolstoy in a statement OF denunc-
iation to the German people. His
words are given below by courtesy Of
the New York Evening Mail:
To you. the thinking people of Ger
many: to you, the leaders Of the So
cial democratic party, and to all citi-
zens Of Germany whose conscience is
not yet dead. address this appeal.
nobody will be able to stifle them, and
that they will reach you.
The answer must come not to me,
but to the whole world.
accuse you OF the most heinous
crime that can be committed by man.
accuse you of abusing and trifling
with the highest humane ideals.
So long as you followed the law Of
Moses, an eye for an eye and a tooth
for a tooth, and were running millions
Of lives inventing terrible weapons for
warfare and murder: while you were
inhumanly killing fellow men and you
yourselves were dying fanatically,
both you and your victims were to be
pitied. Humanity might have taken
the wrong road; but there was hope
that the trampled ideals of love and
brotherhood could be resurrected to
save and bring the human race to-
gether.
You Germans proclaimed those
ideals long before the war. You pro-
claimed them loudly. The socialists
rades Of different nations that you
would not lift your sword for the con-
quest Of imperialism. You have not
kept these promises.
Formerly you might have been
convinced that Germany was not
conducting war Of conquest. You
might have thought that you were
defending your fatherland from the
Imperialism Of Russia Since then
everything has changed Russias
imperialistic government has fallen.
you continue to advance against the
helpless Russians. The greed Of your
government has become terror.
What can be your justification
now? What have you done to prove
your sincerity? Not only have you
rot demanded the cessation Of the war.
and kept YOUR promises, but you have
committed far graver crime.
Taking advantage Of the freedom
of propaganda in Russia, you entered
our trenches, penetrated into the in
terror Of our country az heralds of a
new ideal Of international brotherhood.
Under false banners Of international
brotherhood you have led our people
to disaster with the cry of love on
your lips.
Your propaganda proclaimed the
unity Of the democratic elements Of
the whole world. You stretched forth
your hands to our simple, trusting SOL
der. AS he extended his hand to re-
turn your grasp Of fellowship. you
snatched his weapons of defense from
him.
Now gaze upon the Russian soldier.
He stands disarmed before you. Your
sword is raised over his head, ready
to penetrate the vitals Of his nation.
The treachery Of Judas pales be-
fore the crime that you have COM
mitted.
Do not say that you are powerless in
your struggles against the purposes of
your government.
1t was you who raised the banner Of
From our socialist ranks
came Lenine and other agitators into
Russia The hour has come when men
who have principles must fight for
them. Sincere men give up their lives
for principles They go to the stake
for them. They die in exile What
have you done to prove your sincerity?
The world awaits your words of con-
demnation Of your, government. But
not sound is heard.
On the contrary, your government is
now triumphantly reaping the fruits Of
your propaganda. You stand idly by.
You do not check it. The result Of
your conduct is a mockery Of all ideal
ISM The most sacred ideals are
pressed into Temporary service to re-
place the poison gases of warfare.
| call upon you. not in the name Of
Russia, not in the name of any ma
terial thing; I call upon you in the
name of those great ideals Of human
brotherhood and fellowship which you
have insulted and shamefuHy trampled
down.
Unfortunately, individuals some
times act in violation of their pro-
fessed principles. Society condemns
such individuals bitterly. But in this
Gase idealS haxa haara xraiSIacod To a