The Washington herald., 1918-06-24

Russia's function just now, so 1t
seems from more than a casual
| glance at its affairs, is to spread the
spirit Of Bolshevikism among the op-
pressed peoples Of the central powers.
| If 1t can do this to the end that the
| oppressed peoples will rise up and
| cast of their yoke, then Russia VIII
have contributed something to the
| ending of the war.
Before Russia can accomplish this
to the limit, however, II must first
cast OF its own yoke of Germanism-
at least 1t must do this to a con-
siderable extent. Whether this can be
done is a matter of speculation just
now. The hold of the Teutons on the
Russians Is a gripping one, and has
not been gathered in a few days, by
any means. 1t has taken years OF
supreme effort along certain well de-
fined courses and it may take years,
too. to see Russia freed of It
Taking this into account-the Pc
culiar function which Russia has at
this time-many members of Congress
cannot see how we can gain anything
by taking active steps in Russia.
They insist we will destroy the ef-
feet that might come from a natural
and determined growth Of the anti
war and ultimate anti-German fac
tions. President Wilson has a difi-
cult task here. but just now is giving
1t his most thoughtful attention.
There is no doubt but what his ad-
vice is ample, too, on the situation
and that whatever solution he sets
upon will likely be the best solution
that could come for an obviously In
tricate problem.
We are Informed by DIR. Garfield
that coal production for the past
week was considerably higher than
! for any preceding week-good news
to barter to the public as we start
out another week. We hope the news
continues. 1t will continue. too, IL the
men who have the administration ot
fuel in charge, get as many miners
in the fields as they want. and il
they suffer no inconvenience in the
transportation field.
The words politics is adjourned"
rang across the country not so long
ago in Presidential message of
much force.
But just how far they are perrneat-
ing the souls of political leaders is
quite another question: in fact, II
seems that they are as cold as If en-
graved for a $50 years on a weather
ing old monument in a New England
churchyard. Both the Democratic and
Republican National Committees are
working away with might and main
and Democratic and Republican
members of Congress are going ahead
with their politics just as If moth
ing had ever been said against the
step. And Col. Harvey mischievously
charges that even at the White House
the words have been foreign TO the
acts. Verify, what will become OF
the phrase seems to be troubling no
one, and certainly is debating the
actions Of very few Of those men who
have 1t in their power to actually
abolish politics for the season.
Our own opinion is that politics can
not be adjourned-even II neither
party has a tangible issue upon which
to continue the pursuit. Election to
public office means politfcs-the only
way to avoid it is to follow Col. Har-
yey's suggestion and have no cleo
tions. There is another method by
which this end could be achieved.
Political adjournment can only come
where there is election adjournment.
This follows as day the night-anc
idealists we fear, have only disap-
pointment coming to them II they
think they could bring 1t about IN any
other fashion.
The wet and dry question is both
eripg Congress again-in fact, 1t con-
tinues to bother our lawmaking BODY
It will be there until 1t is definitely
acted upon the way the prohioltioh-
lists want It. too, and members op-
posed would do we'll to put this down
in their note books. We see oniy
one way to bring action and this 8
for the Presiden. himself to come out
in unmistakable terms and tell Con-
gress what he wants-and then ask
that this action be taken at once
II II Is against the wartime prohi-
bition move his wish will be granted
and the dry henderson most OF
them-wili likely recede from their
present position. II he wants pro-
hibition now he can get 1t. State
ments of, lesser officers than the Pres
ident may be inspiring to one side or
the other, but the truth Is the coun-
try wants the President to speak once
and for all on the matter and likely
will not be satisfied until he does 80.
Mr.. Ford evidently does not meas
ure up to the scratch for Senatorial
timber in the ewes of Col George