The Washington herald., 1918-02-03


the Russian situation. But when that
situation Is fully understood. there
might be shown the greatest and
most widespread satisfaction.
False RumOrs Rife.
II see you smile incredulously. &"
continued Col. Thompson, when I
speak of our expressing satisfaction.
But let me explain. Our whole ma
tional thought regarding Russia is
based on a false assumption.
1T is directed only at the idea that
Russia is out of the war and has
broken her faith and is making a
separate peace with Germany. OF
course, the answer to the last is
that a separate peace has not been
made with Germany and will not be.
But We fail to realize that Russia
is . free country now, anti-German.
and either the democratic ideas of
Russia will prevail in Germany or
an attempt will be made by Germany
to impose her autocratic ideas on Rus
sia
All the time the Russian democracy,
by example, by organized propaganda
and in other ways is demoraliZing
the autocracies of Germany and Aus
tria as they have never before been
demoralized. Shall we stand idly by
while this Is going on? So long as the
Bolsheviki is attempting these re-
forms, which have already made the
government of Austria Hungary sur
render to democratic public opinion,
so long. it seems to me. Russia must
be regarded as a potential ally of
the United States.
The havoc which they have created
with the plans of the bloodthirsty
heads of the German general staff Is
admitted in cabled accounts of dis
cussion of the crisis in the German
newspapers.
II it is not deemed advisable to rec
ognize the government we should ex-
tend to them to the fullest degree our
help and sympathy. These people
constitute a democracy.
Many Of their theories are wild. Ex-
perience will show that their DEM
ocracy can only succeed by recogniz-
ing the fullness of capital as well as
OF labor, and that will come in time
That Is why l say We may vet be
satshed over extending help to Rus
sla. 1t will rot help US IL we run
away from the great new questions
involving democracy which are press
ing upon us. We should hold out the
helping hand.
Extend Helping Hand.
\ fine example we will present to
the struggling democrats of Ger
many, who are just now trying to
nrlng about reforms. if we turn our
packs on the Russian democracy
is there much need for relief
in Russia?"
The need for assistance is
greater than has ever existed in
any country in the world before.
When all the facts are known, the
great heart OF America, now so
cold towards the Russian people.
VIII go racing in the endeavor to go
TO their relief. 1t is a stupendous
question.
Il have no doubt that there will
De 5O'OOO.OOO pairs of naked feet
IN Russia before the spring. Think
OF multitude as numerous as half
the population of the United States
Waolng through the Russian slush
IN March with their feet wrapped
up in the bark of trees or in grass
and straw,
The Russian people, regardless of
tne political theories which they have
Oeen lmbibing, are free people. They
are white people. They are the nat
ural wards of the United States, and
as L have already said, they are in
enect our allies because they are aid
ing IN the work which will surely
DrLng the two Kaisers topping down.
The German Kaiser has his heels
IN very slippery mud. and the Aus
trian Kaiser. think, is falling now.
In this great national crisis of the
Russian people the duty of the
United States is very clear. 1t wants
70 forget that a great calamity hap
pened TO US in the war when the Rus
SANS quit fighting. because they may
pc oolng even more good for US and
humanity in this other direction