Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1918-03-12
WILSON MESSAGE
TO RUSS PEOPLE
[Continucd from First Page.l

portunity to secure for Russia once
| moro complete sovereignty and inde-
pendence in her affairs. The message
was cabled to the consul-general at
Moscow.
There are few persons in Wash
irgton who do not read in this mes
sage a definite promise to Russia
that the United States will use it's
great influence with the Entente
governments to prevent an occupa-
tion of Russia by Japanese troops.
This is in keeping with the belief
| that the President made far stronger
representations in his note to Japan
regarding the proposed occupation of
Siberia than commonly is known.
Appeals to Fighting Spirit
In many quarters there is also
read into the Presidents note an in
direct appeal to the Soviets to reject
the German treaty and resist the
! German invasion until such time as
Russia can be assisted to re-establish
! herself.
| For several days the eastern situa-
! ton has been smoldering. The action
of the United States in disapproving
! Immediate action by Japan as call
| culated to ALLEVIATE the Russian peo-
J pie definitely from the Entente coun-
| tries came as a great surprise to
Tokyo, but it caused that govern
ment to hesitate in a policy which
appeared to have been definitely ap-
! p1 owed by the other Allied nations.
Even in the face of the almost direct
! appeal of Lord Robert Cecil. of the
| British cabinet. for approval of the
course outlined by Japan in Russia,
President Wilson remained silent.
| 1t was generally thought that the
meeting of the Soviets in Moscow to-
| day might bring a change in the
! entire situation, but it was not gen
| orally known that the President
would take advantage of this meet
! ing to make his first public utter
ance on tangled eastern affairs.
There has been no doubt that with
| his oft-eXpressed views on the sub
| iect of secert diplomacy the Presi-
! dent was chafing under the veil that
| has been thrown over the recent ne
! gotiations regarding the Japanese
/ propositions.
An Earnest of DemOcracy's Ideals
Now he has taken the first legiti
mate opportunity that has presented
itself to express very clearly his
sympathy with the Russian people
and his hope to help them to a bet
ter lot in the life of the world.
There is no doubt that his mes
|
lean sentiment in favor of Russia
and will convince the entire world
| that the people of America still be-
lieve in the Russians and are not
willing that they should be alienat-
| ed from the cause of the democratic
Allies as a result of the peace Ger
many is endeavoring to thrust upon
them.
What effect the Presidents mes
sage will have upon the Soviets is,
of course, probl There was
a feeling of depression here earlier
IN the day that the workmen, SOL
oiers, sailors and peasants might feel
that, practically abandoned by their
former allies and threatened with a
possible Japanese invasion, a ratifi-
| cation of the German treaty was the
only way out for them
If the message reaches them in
time the Soviets win know they have
as their spokesman in the Allied
councils the man who is listened to
above all others in the affairs of the
Entente nations to-day.
Unhappily. as the President says,
the United States Government is not
now in a position to render the di-
rect and effective aid IL would wish
| to render, and can only offer it's
moral support at the most critical
period in Russia's history. If the con-
gress of Soviets by any chance
should ratify the German peace
treaty. the help of the American
people would necessarily continue to
be of moral value only.
But il the Soviets should reject the
| treaty and resist the Germans. the
,overnment of the United States
would make every possible effort to
| ranHar Dnnfarial aid What fha mn
ture of this aid would be. what part
the Allies would take in it, can only
remain a matter for future determi-
' pafion