The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-04-21
Hobson Calls On America
to Save Democratic Russia
and Seize Constantinople

rain, the destruction of highways and
railroads, must of necessity gain time
for postponing French offensive and
, transporting armies to the eastern
front.
From distance it seems the allies
have not fully appreciated the real
effect OF the retreat, interpreting 1t
to be what Germany has spread broad
as the object, preliminary to a great
German offensive, a Won Hindenburg
offensive in the open.
The allies should have been pre-
pairing for this retreat all winter and
should have made it's success impos-
sible. in the sense Of stopping allied
offensive, reducing to a minimum
the number of German troops avail
able for transfer to the eastern front.
The time has come to the allies
to abandon the policy of caution on
the western front and to throw their
whole power into an unremitting Of
fensive along the whole front to hold
the German troops in battle. Near
the extremes of the front where the
German retreat has been necessarily
, smaller, the offensive Of the allies
should be pushed almost on the old
schedules.
Allies Must Save Russia.
No matter what the cost to the al
lies, Teutonic autocracy simply must
not have the season of 1917 compare
lively free for Furnishing democratic
Russia, the most potential accession
to democracy. before the new system
becomes soundly established.
The entry OF America into the
war now makes 1t possible for Great
Britain and France to drop the con-
| tinuous policy of playing safe" They
can now send the large forces kept
at home in reserve to the fighting
front.
| In my previous article pointed out
| that the first consideration Of self
/ preservation dictates that America
should organize and mobilize her en-
| tire strength as rapidly as possible on
| land and sea.
| This same policy Is clearly die
tated by the conditions in Europe
/ and our sound and proper participa
| ton in the great war. Our general
war policies and the reasons for the
same should be clearly understood by
our people in a true democracy. The
| people can he. and should be, trusted
! not only to pay the forces, endure
| the hardships and fight the battles,
; but also to know and to cherish the
reasons for the just war and the OBJ
| ject sought.
! Our first general war policy can be
stated thus Whatever the sacrifices
and cost. the Austro- Prussian autoc-
racy shall not be victor. If the Prus-
sian government becomes really lib
erailzed by genuine forces within. then
| a negotiated peace can be considered
| at any time While autocracy re-
mains in control. only a peace dictated
| bv American aud the democratic al
| lies Of Europe can be considered
| Keeping these policies in view We
! can take up intellgently the line OF
| American participation, SO as to have
! the greatest effect upon the allied
grand strategy and the ultimate issue,
| In view of the critical situation point
ed out above, l do not hesitate TO
say that our present part and our
| duty now is to hasten to aid of Rus
STA with every means at our disposal
! Must Cheer Up Russia.
! In addition to the general policy
| of cooperation with the allies already
| announced we should send to the
democratic government of Russia and
| through 1t TO the Russian people. q
1 special message that our government
and our people will stand with them
shoulder to shoulder. through all
vicissitudes to a victorious conclusion.
This announcement should be fol-
lowed by placing at the disposal OF