The Washington herald., 1918-05-23

Sometime ago We pointed out in
these columns that the Bolshevists
and, in fact, a great portion of the
Russian population derived susten-
ance. on public questions at least.
from church sources rather than
from purely economic sources. In
other words. we pointed out that
Russian movements of any preten-
sions whatever had their inception
largely in religious fields.
Confirmation of that has come
from a number. of sources, not the
least of WHICH is the statement
just made by Lord Robert Cecil.
The latter said, with regard to the
movements:
"As to their power to lead the
country. some degree of centraliz-
ed government appeared to
exist, though 1t was always
question whether par
ticular local Soviet would obey the
orders of the central one. Prob
ably taxation was non-existent, the
government appealing to employ
the simple eXpedient of printing
notes when it wanted money. In
deed. the Bolshevist hold on the
people seemed religious rather than
political, their doctrines concern
ing land tenure and so on appealing
as a religion to the impressionable
Russian people. Meanwhile, the
church continued strong. though
the church did not aspire to have
political power"
Our information is from authorities
on Russia that while the church itself
provides for no temporal power the
local church authorities agree per-
fectly on what political moves they
shall make and the moves are ini-
tiated and sanctioned by them. and
carried through with quite as much
effect as II the church was directly
behind them. The local church die
tators are a shrewd lot. and a sell
fish lot, too, We are told, and their
first consideration is of other things
than the welfare of their country
from the standpoint OF the allies.
This makes for confusion in Russian
affairs. The strength. though, is with
the church. 1t would appear to us
that no tangible improvement can be
made in matters, so far as America is
concerned, until the Russians learn
to disregard their church power and
establish their government on differ
ent lines. And it will take generations
of education to enable them to do
that properly.
Meanwhile. We must help Russia
where and how we can. That help
may or may not be expected to re-
dound to our immediate benefit. 1t
10 AnlihtftI in fort 70 rha
can be Immediately wrought in the
Russian situation which will show it,
self on the increased countsr-e effect
on German propaganda. As an even
tuality, of course, the success of our
work in Russia Is assured IL we keep
at 1t steadily and with a hopeful feel
ing which will surmount the tempor-
airy setbacks we are bound to run
into from time to time. If helping
Russia is to stomach some OF the pres
ent disappointments and look through
the mist OF years to something we
are to achieve in the distant future.
then we may be able to help. If help
Ing Russia Is to do something now
which will bring us help in the over
throw of German intrigue there and
which will aid us in defeating Ger
many's aims, we are afraid we are
sure to meet disappointment.
Senate action on the air probe
was not surprising in view of the
fact that the entire difficulty arose
over phrase or two unhappily
worded when the first draft Of the
resolution was made. The affair IL
lustrated the fact that Senator
Chamberlain seems to have the un-
fortunate faculty of not writing into
his documents or his speeches the
very precise language which the
President approves. The aim of the
two men Is precisely the same. OF
this there is not the least question.
But the President catches the Sem
ator up on wording and straight
way insists to his administration
workers in the Upper House that
Chamberlain offerings, always
stepped In the spirit of patriotism,
but as we have said, unfortunately
worded. shall be either defeated or
modified.
The Senate as this last matter
came up. however. was bent on Civ
ing to its Military Committee power
to, carry on a probe which would
serve both as a check and an in
centive upon the other probes set
under headway. II Mr.. Hughes has
his full sway in the Department of
Justice investigation, Of course. the
committee will not have to do
great amount OF work which 1t