Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-07-08
u. S. NOW DEVELOPING
RUSSIAN RELIEF PLAN
By CLINTON W. GILBERT

Star Correspondcnt Evening Public Ledger
Washington, July s.
In circles usually well informed today
it was said that details of the plans plans
worked out. II was also said on equally
good authority that the lnter-Allied
Council was believed to have agreed
upon policy. This, policy is safd
forces In Russia. II is likely that
Mr.. Wilson will consent to the sending
of moderate armed force to RUSSIA
Apparently what is evolving is a COM
promise, one of a type which this war
has made familiar all allied action else
where than on the west front has been
of this type. For the west front stand
the politicians. The political argu-
ment prevails, but never FULL The
military yield grudgingly, pleading the
overwhelming need in the west, And
Gallipoli results and salonica and Mes
onotamia diversions, which, if under
taken in sufficient forces. might have
won the war. but which undertaken half
heartedly tied up the resources OF the
Allies. Allied strategy has fallen. be;
tween two stools 1t might win If all
the forces were concentrated in the
west 1t might have won. might per-
haps still win, If sufficient attention had
in both the east and the west, and
there is no sign now that this divi-
sion of opinion which has brought dis
appointment out of everything that has
hitherto been done In the east does
not still exist. What is to be done in
Russia is, therefore, likely to be the
sending up of 'ballon d'essai, rather
than a definite determination to bring
ali the forces to bear upon Germany
that might be brought to bear from the
east
Must Stop Foe in France
The reasons for this opinion lie IN
known facts. In the first place, there is
off fNnV lga
charity, begins at home. The first and
greatest need is to stop the Germans in
France, and that will engage all the en-
ergies of the Allies and this country and
come. No considerable military effort by
this country or the Allies against Ger
many in the east is likely this year. 50
much for the western resources of the
Allies But how about their eastern re-
sources? Their great unused sources
in Asia? Why not let the cast ~-'~..-
the east?
Against the use of Japanese and Chi:
nese troops stand the known views of
President Wilson. These views are not
likely to change If circumstances alter
So that the force of Japan and emma
can be brought to bear on Russia With
out impairing the ideals which the Pres
ident feels are necessary to night TINS
war, then the force of Japan and China
may be used.
This country does not sit in that coun-
ell and is not bound by its decisions
Mr.. Wilson might be influenced, strongly
influenced by it's views, but not gov
erned by them, and the council know
ing the Presidents mind is likely to
nave tried to accommodate its recon-
mendations to his ideals rather to have
sought to impose its opinions upon the
United States by the weight of its
authority, that is to say the council is
likely to have adopted compromise TO
which 1t believed Mr.. Wilson would not
be averse rather than to have insisted
upon a radical policy which II had rea-
son TO believe would bs disagreeable to
the President.
Nonmilitsry Action
Compromise therefore began at Yer
saiIles II details are being worked out
here perhaps the plan is to be further
softened 1t may be taken for granted
that the President will not countenance
the use of alien force in Russia except
at the express invitation of Russia her
self Such an act on his part would strip
ali he says of democracy and the rights
of peoples 10 determine their fate of all
its force.
Lines for Compromise
The lines on which a compromise
might be worked out are suggested by
the questions, what force might be sent |
without violating the freedom of Russia
to determine her own fate? And what
is Russia who may speak for her? Who
may deliver the invitation?
The sending OF a small military force
with ar economic expedition into Rus
sia might be held not to be military
intervention In any such sense as would