The Washington herald., 1918-07-08
Confusion Over Russia.

There will be non large American force
dfspatched to Siberia step in military interven-
iienA BY the allies in Russia.
-. Il is true that an expeditionary force may be
4at. comprising the garrisons at Honolulu and
,Anila and certain Marine Corps contingents, but
ervention on a large scale is impossible for the
nnple reason that the United States has not the
shipping with which to transport troops across the
Pacific, nor has it got the troops themselves.
In day when the American administration
Is straining every to rush troops into France
and thwart the desperate Teuton lunge for deci-
sion, is it conceivable that it would deliberately
create for itself front, and dssipate instead
of concentrating its strength at the vital point?
Furthermore, what really tangible purpose is
served? A back6re against the Bolsheviki is all
right in its way, and the initial successes of the
Czecho-Slovaks in Siberia deserve all possible
couragement and support. But nothing that hap
pens in Siberia, matter how sensational, be
vital factor in the campaign of 1918, nor can it
really affect the ultimate fortunes of the war.
Standing by" Russia is the duty that rests
upon the allies and some of them interpret it as
meaning standing by" the Soviets, and others as
attempting to crush the Soviets. Whatever it does
mean to President Wilson, the originator of the
phrase it resolves itself in the final analysis to the
terse summary of the situation given by William
Marion Reedy-"the best way to help Russia is to
beat Germany" :.
1t is reported that the interallied conference at
Versailles favors military intervention in Siberia
It is also reported although without the smallest
ofhcial sanction so far as be seen, that such
pressure has been placed Washington that it
bas consented on modification of its previous pol
gicy. Undoubtedly, such modification, in degree, is
necessary. The point making is that
the sending of large force to Russia in time to
affect the present status is physically impossible,
and that the diversion of considerable portion of
sAaerican energies to send such force within
the next six eight months would be a stupendous
military blunder.
Economic and financial assistance to Russian can
a be given, and America may exercise tremendous
Influence upon the rapidly shifting political scene
there If Russia can be brought back into the war,
II the peace of Brest-Ltovsk can be washed off the
slate, so much the better. Some means must be
found for developing and precipitating the rapidly
growing feeling among the solid people of Russia
Sthat the war against Germany must be renewed.
sBut Vladiyostok is 5000 miles from the heart of
fGreat Russia. Only the western terminal of the
sTrans-Siberan Railroad has fallen under the con-
troll OF the Czecho-Slovaks, and it is the aim of
these troops not to force their way back into the
war through Russia, but by being transported
around the world to the front in France and
Flanders.
- Whatever the interallied council at Versailles
has recommended there is obvious haziness and
nistiness in the current speculation in Washington
as to what the new in the Russian situation is
to pc. Ways and means of helping Russia will
shortly come to hand for the internal situation in
!. the distractsd nation is rapidly coming to head
1t is Russa's privilege either to reject Boshevism,
to confirm its grip it is the allies duty to do all
possible to check the Germanic in6ltration of the
unhappy land