Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1918-07-11
AIDING RUSSIA

AIDING RUSSIA
In some quarters there is criticism Of the European
Allies. and Of the United States. for indifference toward
Russia, and for failure to take such steps toward her re-
Mobilization al would retain her as an active and power
full force on the side Of the Allies. It is quite possible
that the governments Of the Allied nations have failed
to make the most Of their opportunities in Russia, and
that, If at the outset of the revolution which dethroned
the czar. they had adopted the proper course, the Rus
sian collapse and the consequent seizure of control by
Germany might have been avoided.
In a measure. however. this is a case Of hindsight
and foresight. The course Of waiting and Observation
which has been followed has not averted disaster; there
fore it is easy to reach the conclusion that some other
membered that the treatment Of Russian affairs has
never at any time been a simple matter. Bureaucratic
control under the titular government Of the car had
corruption and incompetency. The forces of ANARCHY had
been at work for years among the illiterate populace, and
recognition of the very real wrongs which the people had
suffered as a result of nisgovernment led in the most
natural manner, under the guidance Of crafty men. to the
belief that in the overthrow Of the existing government
and the establishment of a new order an easy road to af-
fluence would be found. German propagandists had
been at work, not merely during the few months of the
war. but for a generation before the war, and there had
e CIedteu d eulIueu WHICH, W01l0 not consciously
favorable to Germany, was of the character which con-
tributed directly to the success of German designs. The
collapse Of Russia was due to the working together of a
cess of formation for many years, and there is room for
grave doubt whether anything that the Allies could have
done at any time since the war began could have avert
ed the disaster.
AS there was room for doubt as to the wisest course
a year ago, or at any earlier period. so there is room for
doubt as to what is wisest now. Developments within
Russia seem to indicate that the time is opportune for
some action by the Allies which will convince the people
of Russia that their material, political and moral inter-
ests. their very existence as a free people, in fact, de-
mand the, speedy Establishment of a stable and orderly
government which shall be truly representative Of the
whole people: that the existence Of the German military
power is a constant menace to those interests: and that
only through cooperation with the Allies can they hope
to secure their rights and make possible the working out
Of their own destiny by themselves
That Russia needs sympathy ana aid goes without
saying. But as to the manner in which these may be ex-
tended without complicating matters still further Is not
so easy to determine. To send to Russia munitions, food
and supplies without safeguarding them in some effect
i've way would merely be to arm. feed and equip our enc
mics, the Germans. If an army were sent to Russia that
act might easily be misinterpreted by the Russians them
selves. and be understood by them as a measure Of CO.
ercion. All Of the Allies appear to be agreed as to the
advisabnity Of extending material aid. The entente pow
.ers of Europee seem to favor, also, the sending Of a
strong military force. both to safeguard shipments from
seizure by the Germans and to serve as a nucleus around
which tho millions of Russians who are weary Of Ger
manism. Bonhevikism and anarchism may rally The
policy which is said to be favored by the American gov
eminent is that Of sending supplies accompanied by a
guard large enough to serve as an adequate police force,
but not large enough to be mistaken by the Russians for
an invading army And this is the plan which, according
to the latest dispatches. is likely to be followed.