The Glenwood post., 1918-03-16
MESSAGE OF HOPE
TO RUSSIANS
The President Gives Assurance
that When Victory is Ours
Russia Will Be Protected
U. S. IS IN SYMPATHY

Washington, March lion the eve
of the gathering at Moscow of tho
Russian congress of soviets which is to
pass judgment on the German-made
peace accepted by the Bolsheviki at
Brest-Litovsk, President Wilson has
sent message of sympathy to the Rus
sian people through the congress with
a pledge that the United States will
avail itself of every opportunity to aid
them in driving out autocracy and re-
storing Russia to her place in the world
with complete sovereignty and inde-
pendence.
The United States now recognizes no
government in Russia but the president
cabled his message to the American
counsel at Moscow for delivery tomor-
row to the congress which is made up
of soldiers and workmen s representa-
tives, and speaks for at least con-
siderable part of the Russian people.
The message made public tonight by
the state department was as follows:
"May l 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 bscx
the whole struggle for freedom and
substitute the wishes Of Germany for
the purpose of the people of Russia.
Although the government of the United
States is unhappily not now in a posi-
tion to render the direct and effective
aid it would wish to render, I beg to
assure the people of Russia through tho
congress that it will avail itself Of
every opportunity to secure for Russia
once more complete sovereignty and in
dependence in her own affairs and full
restoration to her great role in the lie
of Europe and the modern world. The
whole heart of the people of the United
States is with the people of Russia in
the attempt to free themselves forever
| from autocratic> government and be-
come the masters of their own life.
(Signed) WOODROW WILSON"
| Thus in his first formal word to
Russia since the revnlution-torn country
under the leadership of the Bosheviki
deserted the allied cause, the president
indicates the purpose of the United
States to disregard the hard terms upon
which the Germans and Austrian war
lords have promised peace to the Rus
slams and to demand an accounting
upon "A very different basis when vic
tory at last shall be achieved by Ameri-
ca and the allies.
The president does not urge the
Soviets to reject the peace treaty
though the delivery of his message at
this time may be interpreted as sug-
gesting such course. In fact, it is
conceded in official circles that there is
scant ground for hope that the congress
and what remains of a government in
Russia will refuse to Eve approval to
the German terms. Trotzky, the Bol.
shevik foreign minister, has resigned,
and from Lenine, the premier who ap-
parently controls the regime, nothing
is expected.
But there seeass to be still strong
belief here that difficulty for Germany
in the east by n means is ended; that
as the humiliating nature Of the Tel
tonic terms begins to be realized by
the great mass Of Russians and the tyr
amy shows itself, there will be new
upridng that VIII make itself felt.
Whether u .ss anything resembling =
strong central government capable Of
making oreanissa resistance on large
scale is developed, the hope here il that
the Determination Of the great numbers
of the Rnssia,s y fight oppression win
find expressions h some way that win
give Tie Gsrnans mach 10 do In Sths
east un4il the ultimate vietory in tho
west, abost wAisA no' doubt is enter
tained, puts Tie United states and the
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