Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1918-12-18
RUSSIA'S PLIGHT FIRST
BEFORE PEACE BOARD
Most Serious and Urgent Matter to
be Brought Before the Versailles
Convention.

Washington. Dec. lS-Thc Russian
problem already has been taken up ny
President Wilson with French states.
men. il WAS learned hero yesterday, AND
the determination of definite policy on
which All the allied countries and the
United States may agree will be one OF
the first things undertaken at the pre-
liminary meetings which arc to precedo
the Peace Conferences.
Russia's plight and the attitude TO be
adopted by the victorious associated ma
t,ons is recognized AS one of the most
serious problems of the conference
Every proposed solution so far is said
TO have been blocked by the unanswered
question of who is qualified TO speak for
The Russian people.
The Government st Omsk, Of which
the United States and other Govern
ments have expected much, is now in
the hands of dictator and split into
factions. The Entente nations have not
gwen up hope that the Omsk authori-
tics may yet evolve stable form of
government for Russia, but this has not
bren accomplished, and none of the
allied Governments has recognized the
Omsk regime officially, although all Of
them arc dealing with Russia repre-
sentatives who are in close touch with
Admiral Kolchak and his Government.
Prince Bvoff, who was Premier IN the
kercnsky Cabinet and who ha devoted
most OF his life to the development OF
the Zenstvo system In Russia, and Boris
Bakhmeteff, RuSsia Ambassador IN
Washington. appointed by kerensky, rs
well as Professor Paul Milukoff, kercn-
aky's Minister Of Foreign Affairs. are
on their way 70 Paris or already there
al % Il
whatever they can to aid the Allies IN
the solution of the Russian problem
But whether they represent the people
of Russia az this time is n question II Is
privately admitted cannot be answered here
Prince Lvof has recently been IN
Washington, where he discussed the sit
nation IN his country with President
Wilson and Secretary OF State Lansing
Professor Milukoff. whose standing in
Russia under the Csar and during the
ksrensky regime was very high, has
reached Constantnople from tho heart
of Bolshevik-controlled Russia by q
route not vet divulged Some months
ago Il was reported that Professor Milu-
kotf had come under the influence of the
Bolshcviki, but it is regarded as evident
from his opinions expressed in Com
stantinopls that he is not = Bolshevist
now
Dcnekne and other Cossack leaders
are IN control IN the Cossack districts
on the Don and at Orenhurg and arc
maintaining a Government more nearly
stable than any other in Russia AZ present,
unless IL Is az Archaneel, which is operst-
ing in accord with the allied forces in
the north The Cossacks also are ex-
tending their control over nearly all Of
the Ukraine.
Far from according any recocmtion TO
The Soviet regime 30 Petrogad, the
United States some time ago called up
on all civilized nations TO condemn the
Bo&shevist rel gn of terror.
Even when set of leaders rs recos-
nased as Russian spokesmen, tho United
States and the Alhes must face the great
question Of how they can be aided in
setting up stable Government and IN
preventing famine, for the benefit of
Russia herself, IS we'll As IN the interest
Of the peace of the world.
To aid him in the conferences with
the allied leaders, President Wilson has
taken corps OF Russian experts with
him To Pans.