Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1918-03-12
WILSON DEMANDS
RUSS FREEDOM
PRESIDENT SENDS MESSAGE TO
SOVIET TO INFLUENCE ACTION
ON PEACE.
IN EFFECT Is REPLY
TO GERMAN CHANCELLOR
Insists America Will Make War on
Huns Until Russian Solidarity 10 As.
sured-Reeoenition Of Bolsheviki
Government May FolIow-Lansing
Opposed and Causes Diseord.

Washington, March 12.-War on the
German government until it Is COM
PEELED to relinquish it's hold on Russia
was proclaimed today by President
Wilson.
The President proposes that the
United States and it's allies shall fight
until Russia regains unimpaired SOW
ereignty and independence.
This second declaration Of war on
the imperial German government the
president embodied in a message to the
people of Russia thru the congress Of
soviets which is to assemble tomorrow
at Moscow to consider the ratification
of the humilating treaty Of peace
which Lenine and Trotzky accepted
from the German government.
Text Of Message.
The presidents message follows:
May I not take advantage Of the
meeting Of the congress Of the soviets
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 interrupt and turn back
the whole struggle for freedom and
substitute the wishes Of Germany. for
the purpose of the people OF Russia.
Attic the government Of the United
States is unhappily not now in posi-
ton to render the direct and effective
aid it would wish to render, beg ro
assure the people Of Russia. thru the
congress, that it will avail itself of
every opportunity to secure for Russia
once more complete sovereignty ana
independence in her own affairs and
full restoration to her great role in the
life of Europe and the modern world.
1.-THE whole heart Of the people Of
the United States is with the people of
Russia in the attempt to free then.-
selves forever from autocratic goverl.-
ment and become the masters of their
own life"
No Advice Offered.
What bearing the presidents mes
sage is intended to have on the con-
sideration by the soviet congress of the
peace treaty with Germany is not clear.
The president carefully refrains from
offering any advice. The message does
not indicate whether the president
would counsel the congress to ratify
or to refuse to ratify the treaty.
His message. however, will inform
the representatives of the Russian peo-
pie that, II they do refuse to ratify the
humiiating peace and decide to fight
Germany. the United States will give
to the Russian people now and event
ually all the aid in its power.
Effort for Russia Continued.
Furthermore. the message will assure
the Russian people that even if their
representatives should feel compelled
to ratify the peace treaty. the United
continue to do all that is possible to
drive the Germans out Of Russia and
restore full independence to the newest
democracy in the world.
1t is not expected here that the presi-
dents message will deter the soviet
congress from ratifying the peace
treaty. Lenine has demanded ratifica-
ton and it is expected that the soviets
will do his bidding.
With the presidents assurances In
hand, however, the soviet congress will
be enabled to take position that .t
ratifles the treaty under compulsion
and that it looks forward to the time
when the United States and it's allies
will succeed in making the treaty a
scrap of paper"
Lansing Opposes Policy.
Secretary Of State Lansing has not
been in sympathy with the Russisu
policy advocated by Colonel House, and
it is regarded not without Significance
that the president made his messaget to
the Russian people personal commun
ication. The president consulted Colonel
House on the Russian situation ten
days ago, and Immediately thereafter
Mr., Lansing departed on vacation m
Georgia from which he mas not re-
turned.
Whether the recognition Of the boil
sheyik government of, Russia will FOL-
low remain to be seen. Colonel House
and his friends have been pressing TOT
such recognition, but Mr.. Lansing mas
stood out against 1t and at one time II
was reported he would resign II recog-
milton should be granted.