New-York tribune., 1918-06-16
Bolshevist Propaganda

If we could see ourselves as the Ger
mans see us it might be disconcerting.
We should like to know what they think
of the fact that the Bolsheviki, who de-
livered Russia to the Hchenzollerns, are
conducting openly in this country prop
uganda against American intervention in
Russia. We should like to know what
they know about it.
Consider, first, that the collapse of
Russia, procured from within by German
propaganda in the guise of radical social
doctrine, is the greatest single victory
the Germans have achieved--incompa
rably more sinister in its possibilities
than any achievement of arms.
Consider, secondly, that, while gam
bling desperately for a military decision
on the West front, with all the forces
that were released from the East by the
infamous bargain at Brest-Litovsk, the
Germans pray hourly to their Gott that
conditions in Russia shall remain as they
are for only little while longer.
Then reflect, again, upon the fact that
Russian Bolshevists, appearing suddenly
in large and vociferous numbers, are al
lowed to carry on in this country vio-
lent propaganda against American inter-
vention in Russia. They have access to
many papers, because American papers
are very tolerant. They are continually
making inf1ammatory speeches, in which
they represent, as with one voice, that
,1fo sr 1~x
American capitalists. That is not true,
but since they allege that all the nom
Bolshevist world is corrupt, we may be
excused for asking how and by whom
these propagandists themselves are sup
ported? They have no visible means of
livelihood. They are spending a great
deal Of money.
Always, in the Bolshevist propaganda,
the purpose with which America should
intervene is nisrepresented. 1t would
not be to fight Bolshevists, as they say,
but to reach Germany on the east-to
establish again an Eastern front. All
that is asked is tboroughfare.
Russian Bolshevists, we regret to say,
are supported in their dangerous propa-
ganda by American Bolshevists. There
is, for example, this kind of thing from
"The Calf:
"The plot of commercial imperialists to
invade Russia and overthrow the Soviet
republic is not dead. Every increase Of
strength to the workers government at
Moscow advances the probability of off,
cial recognition by the United States but
it also stimulates the interventionists to
renew their lying about conditions in
Russia, especially in Asiatic Russia.
This interventionist propaganda is
supplied with almost unlimited funds, and
is vocal with all the noise that a venai
and ignorant press can create"
Comment Of this character is perfldi-
GUS. 1t not only tends to create feeling
against measures which it may be neces-
sary for the government to take, but it
characterizes those measures beforehand
as imperialistic and immoral.
The Bolsheviki. whether they mean to
or not, are playing Germany's game in
America. Their propaganda might as
we'll emanate directly from the Imperial
German Foreign Office. 1t is conducted
systematically, as if under direction. The
government has had occasion to wonder
at the facility with which professional
Bolshevists here and in Russia exchange
information. There is evidently work
ing organization. 1t is more efficient
than innocent Bolshevism ought to be.
What are its resources and motives? 1t
Is time to know