Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1918-12-16
British Pol cy
To,Dard Russia
n. Not Announced

Correspondence Associated Press.] ,
London. Nov. ef.--Demand,s made IN
parliament for information concerning
the policy OF the entente powers to-
wards Russia have failed to elicit ve-H
definite information as to British
policy toward the land of the boil
shcvik. The British press is fnsistent
that-ZRussia must be helped econ
omicaily, jaltho 1t confesses utter lack
of Information a. to the attitude OF the
entente powers toward the existing
government in soviet Russia.
Replying to a question from Lieu
tenant Colonel Lord Cavendish- Ben
tiaek as to the actual conditions in
soviet Russia, Arthur J. Balfour, the
foreign secretary, said: THE Informal
ton at the disposal Of His Majesty's
government il to the effect that the
deliberate policy Of the boishevist gov
crnment Is one Of determination. by
starvation. murder, and wholesale exc
cution Of all parties which do not
support their regime"
Lord Cavendish- Bentinck then
asked: "Hasthe government any alter
native to the present policy. which ap-
parently has no effect but to strengthen
the power of the bolshevist govern
ment?".
Mr. Balfour responded he was not
aware that anything the British gov
ernment has done, or has attempted to
do, has strengthened the bolshevist
government. He also said he did not
understand what his interrogation
meant by an alternative policy"
Russia,s plight was brought before
tire house of commons again the same
day thru discussion of the future OF
Armenia when Mr. Ponsonby, a labor
member. insisted that Turkish rule
over nom Ottoman races must be ter
minated and asked for a clear state
naent on the policy Of the British gov
ernment toward Russia. He urged
that the British public should be ad-
vjsed whether a state Of war exists be-
tween the entente powers and Russia;
what the British expedition in north
Russia is doing: what the intentions Of
Great Britain are toward the bolshevist
government. and whether additional
reintorcements are being sent to Arch
angel.
Lord Robert Cecil. then under secre-
try for foreign affairs. replied that 1t
was impossible to give any pledges as
to what the military pasition was or
may be in Russia without consultations
with those responsible for military
affairs. He said. however. the govern
ment Is not inclined to entangle the
country, at the close OF the great war.
in seriops military operations The
speaker then commented upon the
labor members failure to express con-
demnation Of the Outrageous proceed
ings Of the so-called Russian govern
ment.''
TT Is not only that governments
offences against humanity which can
not be forgotten" said Lord Robert
Cecil. 'but 1t has committed offences
against this country which, II COM
mitted by any ordinary, civilized gov
eminent would have more than justi-
fed this country in seeking redress at
arms. A British naval officer has been
killed while protecting building be-
longing to the British government.
Other British subjects have been sub
sected to horrible har1ships and crimes
I have ben committed which stagger
humanity. while primarily we ought
TO consider the interests and desires OF
the people, It IL right to say that the
bolshevist government, as such, IL en-
titled to no consideration whatever at
the hands Of the British government"