Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-12-17
RUSSIANS IN LONDON
/ DISCUSS WAR OUTLOOK
Deplore Tendency to Regard Rus
sia as Hopeless-Danger in Boil
sheviki Peace Pointed Out.
ny ROBERT sLoss.

+. Gahlegram to The Evening Star and
.Chicago Daily News. Copyright, 1917.
LONDON, December lon the invi-
resentative Russians and friends of
Russia gathered at an informal dinner
recently to discuss the Russian situa-
zion. After brief address by NJ. Gam
bashidze. honorary secretary of the
Russo British chambers of commerce.
ifhev discussion became general. The
kussians present emphatically agreed
- deploring the growing tendency in
Engiand and perhaps America to dis
miss Russia as a hopeless case. Such a
policy would inevitably drive Russia
into the arms of Germany. releasing
z.soe, 200 Austro-German troops and
Able-bodied prisoners. thus completely
balancing the weight Of the American
military effort in the spring.
Germany Would Stifle Democracy. /,
Furthermore, they said that Germany.
at peace with Russia, would not toll
erate the present demagogic anarchy
ar any real democratic progress. but
sFou1d work hard. openly and secretly.
for the re-establishment of reaction
f4ry government, in the while,
helping Russia to organize agriculture,
Industries, transport ana finance SO
far as to enable Germany to CONSOLE
date her economic control OF Russia
1T was agreed that Germany. IL given
half q chance, would be abundantiy
Mble to grasp this rich prize. enabling
her to laugh at the a1lies' blockade and
if not enabling her to win the present
war at least placing her in a position
a few years hence to make another bid
for world supremacy with every pros
pect of success. Once in political con-
troll of Russia and Asia Minor, Ger
many could well afford to abandon all
the western and southwestern dreams
and all claims on Belgium and Alsace-
Lorraine. She could afford to lose even
the yassalage of Turkey and Bulgaria.
1t was confidently asserted at the
meeting that the great bulk OF the
Russian people, are neither for the
&65Bheviki nor the socialist program
66spite the unprecedented German
propaganda developed by the Germans
themselves and their agents among
the Russian extremists. the bulk of
the army and navy. the whole of the
upper and middle classes and the ma
jority of the peasants. ignorant as they
are, instinctively shrink from betray-
ing the allies and submitting to the
Will of the merciless conqueror- These
elements yet lack proper organization,
but they must inevitably assert them
selves soon in the form of a truly rep
resentative, national government. The
real danger, all agreed. Is lest the
allies. despairing of Russias recovery
as a sane and loyal state and partner
in the alliance. neglect to render her
assistance, without which she would
be abandoned TO the tender mercies OF
Germany and her Russian servitors
Needs Moral Support of Allies.
II was further agreed that so, long
as the loyal elements in Russia
are confident of the support of the
allies. purely moral until the bolshe-
Wiki are overthrown and practical when
they are replaced by ioyahst gov
eminent. they will obstruct and fight
ahe bolsheyiki until these are over
thrown Without the support of the
allies and knowledge of stheir sym
pethy and willingness TO help at the
government by ioyaiists would be
veil int