The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-03-12
President Wilson Sends Reas-
surfing Message to Slavs.
Pledge Made to Soviet at Mos
cow ACHING on Peace Treaty.
RUSSIA MUST KEEP UP FIGHT
American Influence at Peace
Conference To Rescue Slavs.
Pledge Also Serves as Friendly
Move to Japan.
BY CARL D. GROAT.

Washington, March 12.-In what is
regarded an eleventh hour effort to
cheat the Germans and their aide, Lee
nine, of their shameless Russo-Ger-
man peace, the United States today is
pledged TO an enormous bargain-to
co its utmost to restore Russia's place
. in the sun. minus German DOMINATION.
This is the pledge President wilson
has made in a message to the Russian
soviet, sitting today to ratlfy or REJECT
the Lenine pact.
Last week President wilson was
doubtful about making further over
lures with the Russians
s. Consider Leninc as Traitor.
The split between Trotzky and Lee
nine, however, apparently determined
him that there was chance that
friendly word from America would
help the Russians to cast aside the
German terms and do something to-
ward fighting the Germans 1rot-
zky's break manifestly was the result
of disa greement with Lenine's proven
treachery to the revolution and the
single word of announcement from
the leading democracy, America. may
he all that is needed to prevent ratlfl-
cation of the treaty.
Wilson'S pledge is:
''I beg to assure the people OF Rus-
STA thru the congress that it (the Unit
ed States) will avail itself OF every
opportunity to secure for Russia once
more complete sovereignty and mae
pendence in her own affairs and run
restoration to her great role in the lie
of Europe and the modern world.
Settle 1t at Final Conference.
= This means that America intends to
fight on to such a point that, sitting IN
the final peace conference, she can
demand of Germany the relinqu1sh-
7nent of territory she has plundered
Iv@IA
that the heart of America goes out
to Russia in it's attempt to be forever
free from autocratic government anu
to become its own master Wnlle
pointing out that this nation Is not
now in a position to take up the f1ght
10 free her. the pledge to aid in the fu-
ture is regarded here as by far the
strongest and most sympathetic mes
sage yet given the Russians py any
ally
nan is a question. Britain has been
inclined to let Russia drift on to her
own destruction.
& AS for Japan, the message is consid-
lered in many quarters as tantamount
TO a friendly suggestion that any in
s{ervention she attempts in Russia
must be temporary without aims at
Territorial conquest
VIII Surprise Allies.
wilson's message forwarded over
might to the Moscow American consul
General for delivery to the soviet's ses-
fsion is believed likely to cause some
ssurprise in the allied capitals.
- The soviet congress has a tremen-
ldous decision to make-whether 1t
shall ratify the Russo-German terms.
sReports have differed as to what the
congress will do, but it is felt here
the presidents message may be the in
aspiration needed to induce resistance
Meantime the Japanese-Siberian
problem is darkened insofar as Off
cial utterances here are concerned, but
the general thought still is that she
and China are preparing for interven-
ton despite American opposition
t+bereto