The Washington herald., 1918-07-10
DECISION 'ON
RUSSIA HELD
PENDING NEWS
Action Of President May Be
Settled When Francis
Communicates.

Pending the receipt Of advices from
Ambassador Francis on the exact
political situation IN Russia. Presi-
dent Wilson Is withholding announce
ment Of Americans decision IN the
question. of Intervention in Siberia
In diplomatic circles and among
leaders at the Capitol the belief grew
yesterday that the President would
make the announcement In an address
to Congress. It is understood that
forthcoming cables win bring infor-
nation upon which the President will
base his decision on several details
OF the program to be sanctioned by
this country.
Gerard's Viewpoint.
After comforting with President VIII
son yesterday, James w. Gerard.
former ambassador from the United
States to Germany, said:
THE President must make the de-
cision In the case. 1t Is a great re-
sponsibility. perhaps the greatest he
has faced since we entered the wat.
For In my opinion the problem Is the
most difficult ever faced by a ma
tons executive. There can be no
uOuDl ll(t - oRAN0NN6 -
tenacles over Russia At the same
time this country must not do any
thing which would create of Russia
a German state.
Il am sure that the American peo-
pie have full confidence that the
Presidents decision will be a wise de-
cision."
From men who have been active in
presenting the situation to the Presi-
dent Il was learned yesterday that
Mr.. Wilson Is persuaded that an
economic and quasi-political mission
from this country would be Of great
assistance in saving the Russian peo-
pie from the famine and chaos which
il Is believed is almost inevitable In
Russia next winter. He Is also per-
suaded that Germans military
strength Is being augmented by the
procurement of raw materials In
Russia
The difference of opinion in advices
placed before him rests in assertions
thar an economic mission could ac-
sonplish nothing without military
support, as against the contention
that Germany would gain even great
er supplies of raw material, we're
the Russians to be won to the Ger
man cause through anger at inter
yention in Siberia by the allies.
For the first time in two weeks
Ambassador Francis succeeded in OBJ
tanning the transmission of a cable
gram to the state Department yes
terday. It was announced that, aside
from confirming the assassination Of
Count Won Mirbach, the message gave
no indication of the strength of the
anti-BolshevisJ movement, nor Of tine
attitude of the Bolsheyists, either
toward the allies or the German
cause. It is believed that with tSe
re-establishment of cable communi-
cation President Wilson will be able
to obtain late information winch will
be of great assistance in clearing up
several questions nCw in dispute.
Cabinet Holds Meeting.
The Cabinet met for an hour and
half yesterday, but its members
gave no indication that they had re-
ceived the Presidents confidence in
the matter of his attitude toward
the Russian situation. The Secretary
of State. the Secretary Of the Navy
and the Secretary of the Interior
were closeted with the President for
some time after the Cabinet meeting.
At once, threre was suggestion that
Secretary Lane was being consulted
as possible head Of the economic
mission. No confirmation Of the re-
port was possible. however.
A summary of comment in the Ger
man press on the death Of Count Won
Mirbach was received yesterday. The
papers widely diner as to the policy
which Germany should adopt, al
though the burden of opinion appears
to support the belief that Germany
must penetrate more deeply into Rus
sia IN order to establish order. The
allies are blamed for the murder,
although two Socialist organs boldly
state that the crime was committed
by patriots who wish to rid their
country Of a Russian foe.