New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1918-07-15
Help Tor Russia.
(NeW y Ork Times.D


TO withhold aid from Russia has
been one of the most terrible mis-
takes of the war. And in the appor-
tonment OF responsibility among the
Allies, our share is by no means the
lightest. But we have q plan, we
have reached decision. Dispatches
from Washington gave an outline OF
the plan week ago with such pru-
dent retlcences as the delicacy of the
matter made necessary 1t is a good
plan, as we promise. We are to send
a commission charged with the duty
OF giving to the Russian people friend
ly assistance in large measure The
supplies and commodities of which
they are in need, machinery required
for their industries, money and credit,
all these the commission was to carry
to the Russians as actual present help
and as an assurance of our continued
friendship for an allied people we
have hitherto CalIOusly neglected. An
armed force sufficient to safeguard
the commission in doing it's good
work and adequate, too for protection
of local governments which the Rus
sian people themselves would be en-
cOuraged to set up in the interest of
civil order, was to accompany the
commission, it was understood
1t is an empty, and for the Russians
q cruel, fOrmality to announce a plan
and take no steps to put it into eX-
ecution Why continue the perlious
policy of putting off help to Russia?
Is any one of the allied nations hold
ing back? We are not so informed.
France knows Russian conditions and
is eager for action. Great Britain is
not likely to withhold assent from any
promising policy of relief Japan,
whose conduct has been admirable
and whose patience seems to be IN
exhaustible, awaits the decision OF
the western nations. We have made
fine promises to Russia, now is the
time for positive and firm action.
Evil counseIs are heard, of course.
We are told that we must recognize
the Soviets, should make our plans
subject to their approval. This advice
comes naturally, from quarters where
only a few months ago it was insisted
that the American newspapers ought
to apologize to Lenine and TrotZky for
distressing their motives. Any course
Of action that promises to hurt Ger
many is sure to encounter the paCi-
fists. Nothing would hurt Ger
many more just now than the sup
preston of Lenine, Trotzky, and the
proIetariat Soviets by the Russian
people themselves That is the way
to their own salvation, it is the way
to escape the clutches of Germany,
for it is preposterous at this late day
to deny that Lenine and Trotzky have
served the German interest from the
beginning. Trotzky has just issued
an order that the officers of his Red
army who decline to fight the CzeChO-
slovaks "should he kicked out of the
army" The resurrection of Russia, |
the freeing Of the Russian people from
their fear of the BolsheviSt butchers !
few in number but temporarily pre-
vailing the destruction Of the multi |
tudes of German agencies for the be |
trayal and ruin OF Russia. and Lenine !
and TrOtzky are a part of that syS- |
tenn, would alarm Germany more than |
any triunps of arms the Allies are |
likely to secure in the near future. |
If we were in Siberia today, if the !
work of redemption had actually be- |
gun and was going on, we might con- !
f1dent1y expect within q reasonable |
time changes in Russia that would re- |
lieve the Allies upon the western bat |
feline of some part Of the uncom- |
Portable number of German troops !
who now confront them. Eternal |
parleying will give the Russians no |
help, it will give the Allies in the |
West no relief. The time has long !,
been ripe for action. for any further !
delay they can only be bad exercises. |