The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1917-12-01
URGE A POLICY
OF TOLERANCE
TOWARD RUSSIA
lRv Associated Press.l

Washington, Dec. Retaliation
of the danger of causing reaction
in Russia favorable to the central
powers intervention in the poll
teal affairs of the new democracy,
has caused administration officials
here to send a note of warning
against hasty condemnation Of the
Bolsheviki.
Back of what is described as a
tolerant policy in dealing with Rus
STA apparently not only is purpose
to demonstrate faith in the ultimate
sterilization of the democracy, but
a hope that the extremist faction
which is for the moment in control
of the seat of government at Petro-
grad, will refrain from violating
Russia's treaty pledges to the en-.
tente allies and make a separate
peace. So long as there is a possi-
bility that these overtures will fail
because of the apparently irreconcil-
able differences between the Bolshe-
Wiki peace scheme founded on mo
annexations and no indemnities" and
the German demands for compen-
sation and adequate safeguards for
the future" it is regarded as bad
policy to exert any pressure from
the outside at this stage. To do so,
IL is believed, would only tend to
cause resentment in Russia and to
solidify the various elements around
the Petrograd regime.
Hint From Paris,
An additional reason for maintain
ing an attitude of watchfulness and
reserve is found in the fact that to
meet just such situation as is de-
veloping in Russia, is one Of the
purposes of the inter allied confer
ence assembled in Paris. There are
intimations that suggestions have
reached Washington from the French
capital that IT would be we'll to
avoid adverse criticism of the Rus
sian tangle, leaving the commission
ers in Paris to deal with it at this
stage at least. 1t is even possible that
in pursuance of the idea that by
moral suasion Russia can be pre-
vented from going to the extreme of
making separate peace, some of
the entente powers may decide to
make some sort of acknowledgment
of the receipt of the Lenine- Trotzky
peace and armistice proposal.
No surprise is felt at the speedy
acceptance by Germany and Austria
of the Lenine proposals. 1t had been
assumed that with no intention
whatever of accepting any of the
substantial demands Of the Bolshe-
wiki, the German and Austrian chan
cellories would not miss this great
opportunity to eliminate Russia as
an offensive military force for the
many days, weeks or even months
during which the skilled German
diplomatists might protract the ne
gotiations for an arTnistice and
peace. In the meantiM~-, of course,
there may be released for active
service against the British French
and Italians on the west front, hun
dreds of thousands. of German, Aus
trian, Turkish and Bulgarian soldiers
maintained on the eastern front.
It will be for the conference in
Paris to devise means of neutraIiz-
ing this German scheme, possibly by
influencing the Bolsheviki element
through an exposition of the duplic-
ity and real aims OF the Germans or
by recourse to the elements in Rus
STA represented by General Kaledines
and other leaders who have refused
to acknowledge the control Of the
Maximalists. The letter of Lans-
downe suggesting moderation OF
allied war aims. which has aroused
such bitter feeling in England, may
in the opinion of some OF the diplo-
matte officials here, prove a powerful
factor in keeping the Bolsh 9viki
within the entente allied circle by
letting them perceive that their own
doctrines regarding peace are not
lacking in support among entente
statesmen