Evening star., 1918-02-03
PRA|SESATT|TUDE
OF THE EBOLSHEV|K|
Col. w. B. Thompson Says
Party Is Doing Much to
End War.
NO PEACE HAS BEEN MADE

The Russian bolsheviki have not yet
made a separate peace and are not 60
| ing to make a separate peace: they are
| doing more right now toward bringing
the war to successful termination
than is all the cold steel on the western
front. This is the statement Of Col
William Boyce Thompson Of New York.
American business man and banker,
who spent four months in Russia as
the head of the American Red Cross
there. is probably the latest American
to come from that republic and who Is
today in Washington.
Col. Thompson yesterday said he does
not feel competent to pass on such a
diplomatic mates as the recognition OF
the bolshevik government by the gov
ernment of the United States. although,
inasmuch as this controlling party IS
well organized in practically all the
important Russian cities, he is able TO
see no reason to prevent such recog-
milton. But he does feel that ne can
urgently recommend that this country
extend aid-not aid by various organ
izations. but national aid of the widest
possible cope-to great and mccoy
nation. living under what ne terms
"the representatives of the great mass
of Russian democracy. in power since
Moreover. this party. he says. up until
he left Russia. at least. showed no
evidences of the violent procedures
with which they have been SO widely
credited.
Comments on Viewpoint.
Americans cannot see anything but
the fact that Russia has dropped out OF
the war" said Col Thompson. "and
cannot get over the idea that the boil
shevik leaders are in the pay of Ger
many. These leaders, 1t must be ad-
.mitted. are very radical in many ways.
but they must and will calm down
when they find. as they have been find
practical They haven't taken over as
many utilities and businesses as they
are credited with having done.
.'Of those that they have, 1t Is tr'
because Of the lack of experienced
heads. But that will rectify itself iE
time. On the other hand. certain in
dustries in and around Petrograd. with
first sped up production and increased
output But. of course, lack of material
has hampered them all in time.
Il do most firmly believe that we
must help these people-help them in
sympathetic and extensive way. Our re-
lief measures should go right on. and
paid-for goods now held up in the
United States should be shipped to
Russia without delay. For instance no
one. no matter how wealthy, has been
able to buy shoes in Russia for months.
and there will by spring be 55.000.000
persons with no shoes at all. Petro-
grad has had no coal for two years,
and the price of wood has increased
tenfold.
Owe Help to Russia.
Moreover. we owe this help to the
present Russian government not only
because it is at the head of destitute
people, but on the basis of value re-
ceived- That government is giving
invaluable aid in letting the German
and Austrian people know that we have
no quarrel with them except in so far
as they are related to their autocratic
governments. The bolsheviki I believe.
have a most thorough understanding
with the socialists in Germany and
Austria. When Trotzky speaks he
speaks to sympathetic audiences in
three countries. Nor do I believe that
either he or Lenine is in German pay.
America must give aid in a really colos-
gal way. The American people must revise
ana suppress their prejudices and give
tne aid due not only to sister democ-
racy, but to valuable ally. Alone Of all
tne allied lorces did the bolshevih make
any move to combat the Teutonic propa-
ganda. which. may say. is certainly
perfectly organized and in fun swing. The
moment the Austrian people can get out
from under the heel of their despotism
they viii make peace. That is certain
Germany now feel the same way, and the
proportion is growing daily.
nave recent adviceS from reliable
and well known Americans, that it he
comes increasingly evident that the pres
ent leaders in that country will most GER
tainly refuse to abandon the principles
the central powers
Hard to Reconcile.
1T is hard for the leaders there tn
reconcile our position with what thew
think it should be in the face Of our
avowals; they think we do not exactly
practice what we preach. and they show
natural lack of sympathy with our
| theirs" ~
-. Asked as to the lack Of sympathy hav-
ing taken the form Of demonstrations and
threats against American officials Col
Thompson said:
Up to the time left there had been
think any such have not come from
the boisheviki. but from irresponsible
persons and groups. Also it is more
tnan hkeiy that many Of these discour-
aging and irritating reports come
through the German propaeanda or.
ganization. which, as I have said. Is
perfect. And. what is more, the agita
ton and demonstrations themselves
might, l suspect. we'll emanate from
agents OF the German general star
Perhaps the recent murders of two for
mer officers of the kerensky govern
ment might be traced to the same
source.
Would Not Hesitate.
The men who made our west. as T
said In a recent address before the
Rocky Mountain Club, would not have
hesitated very long about extending
recognition and giving the fullest helm
ana sympathy to workingmens gov
ernment such as that in Russia ia
They say Russian democracy Is redr
Yes. full of good. red blood-but you'u
nnd 1t isn't yellow. I think the Presi
dents reference to the new government
IN his last message to Congress was
fne. All right. let's follow it up"
COL thompson was asked as to re-
ports concerning the temperance Of
the liquor traffic and the frequency of
drunken orgies in Russian territory.
In answer to that / will saw that
SIX months in Russia are the finest
sort OF preparation for a stay in Wash
ington as found 1t on my return. was
the smiling response.
FRESHMEN WIN DEBATE.
Defeat Third Year Class on Philip
pine Island Indenendence