The Washington herald., 1918-04-09
U. S. IS URGED
10 AID RUSSIA
h&aadQ Qsesss Col. Homp.
sea as Saying Nosion WIN
Yet Find Herself.

Col william B. Thompson has with
"a q day or two received cable ad-
wees from Russia which. although
somewhat delayed in Transmission.
tend strongly to conhrm him In his
op.aion that II the United States with
out loss Of time gives to Russia such
I'd as II now imperative the chances
are excellent hat German influence IN
Russia win be impaired, ultimately
Destroyed and the new government of
Russia as well - the people will more
and more turn to ths allies IN the
hope and e<psctatioa that thereby the
reitef which Russia seeks and the or
derby government which her peopfs
hope 70 secure viii bs obtained.
Col Thompson was advised by cable
that our Red Cross work will be con-
nnusd in Russia and that 1t Is al
ready Of very great service. But what
the American Red Cross is doing In
Russia is at present practically all
the aid we are giving to the Russian
people. Col. Thompson's advices also
Justify him in saying that, had 1t not
been for the fear of an invasion OF
Siberia and Eastern Russia by Japan,
the Soviet government would not have
ratified the peace treaty with Ger
Eanda and German influence which
caused the impression to prevail thai
Japan was about to embark upon a
military undertaking of magnitude
having for its purpose the invasion OF
Siberia
Apprehensiye for Ceaturies.'
For centuries Russia has been ap-
prehensive lest there come at some
time an overwhelming incursion by
the people of China and Japan into
Russia To this day they dread that
even more than they do Germany's in
nuence and supremacy in Russia.
They were persuaded that Japan Sc
r!ously entertained a purpose involv-
ing the advance Of her armies into
Siberia and beyond and that this
would be only the beginning OF a
great invasion Of Russia by the peo-
pie OF the far East.
Later information makes 1t clear
that Japan contemplated nothing of
tnc kind which the Soviet government
feared and Furthermore that the ap-
pTehsnsion was due entirely to Ger
man propaganda.
Col. Thompson speaks with warm
approval OF the attitude taken by
President Wilson at the time when
the suggestion was made that japan
might deem it expedient to cross the
sea and enter Siberia with an army.
II there were any such plan in con-
temptation the clear intimation that
came from Washington that IL did
not meet with the approval Of Presi-
dent Wilson because he feared the ef-
feet Of an approach into Russia OF
that kind by Japan was in itself suf-
fcient to put an end to the contem-
plated plan.
Cot Thompson's recent advices per-
bsuade him that more and more the
Russian people are beginning to un-
derstand that there can be no really
free Russia IL behind the shadow Of
such a thing stands German autoc-
racy. There prevails. in Col. Thomp-
sons view. a most unfortunate lack
OF information in the United States
respecting the real conditions in Rus
ga. II there could be speedily OBJ
tanned good understanding respecting
the situation it wiuld be followed by
a change OF views which many hold
IN regarding the Bolsheyiki and the
Soviet as representing nothing but
pure Socialism on one hand and an
archy on the other.
Col. Thompson mas the advantage
OF being i'm constant and close touch
with some of those who were asso-
Ciated with him In the important ked
Cross work which he did while in
Russia last fall Their views are the
same as his. which Is that for the
present. at least, the only basis for
any fairly competent government in
Russia is one which is founded upon
labor. The Soviet is a great labor
union and the working men of Russia
who constitute that union are more
and more persuaded that It is neces-
sary. Il they are to establish a good
govC rnment that will improve as time
and conditions permit, that there
should be material assistance given to
hem by the United States.
Russia viii "FInd Herself"
As was the case with the Commune
N France after peace was established
between France and Germany in 1S71,
many previous mistakes were commit
led. Ultimately out of that came Or
Ser and at last the establishment OF
a government so strong that il has
been able to resist the advances OF
Germany at this time, the French peo-
pie standing as a whole with sublime
conservation OF their lives and prop
srty for the preservation OF France.
Ultimately. il only the warm hand of