The Knoxville independent. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1894-current, 1918-07-27
BY EDWARD w, PIckARD


What shall we do to help Russia ~
was still the leading question for the
governments of the allied nations last
week. Developments, though they
were In the main favorable to the al
lied cause, had not greatly clarified the
situation. 1t seems apparent that Ger
many, too, is In doubt as to what
course to pursue In the near East. Her
policy of terrorism and grab-all has
not been working out we'll and has
caused bitter complaint even in the
reichstag.
The people of the Thurman coast,
between Finland and the White sea.
where there are large allied military
stores under guard of British and
American forces, have created the
White sea republic, and in the rest
OF Arctic Russia, from the White sea
to Siberia, the republic of Wologda-
cZhe has been established. Both of
these new states are anti-German and
pro-ally and their people promise to
form active forces against the leu
tons If given aid. In western Siberia
the bolsheviki have been defeated
again and are reported to have evac-
uated Irkutsk, and a provisional gov
eminent for Siberia has been set I'D
In Novonicolacysk. This government
has laid out a program that includes
the liberation Of Siberia from the boil
sheviki; the avoidance, If possible, of
foreign Intervention; universal suf-
frage, distribution of the land among
the laHdless and other economic re-
forms. 1t intends to summon a con-
stituent assembly and to restore law
and order. All this is being done I'M
der the protection of thee army of
Czecho-Slovaks that has continued its
victorious campaign against the boil
sheviki and the German and Austrian
war prisoners who are aiding them.
Thus there appears to be forming
the established authority that has
been considered requisite for the ex-
tending Of aid to the Russians, at least
In Siberia. But President Wilson
would not consent to the dispatch Of
an armed force that would mean the
weakening Of the western front In Eu-
rope, and doubtless the other allied
leaders agreed with him. Further
more, Mr.. Wilson especially is averse
to departing from the policy of nom
interference In the internal affairs of
a friendly nation. This does not mean
that the allies will abandon the plan
to send to Siberia supplies from Amer
Ca and a commission to extend help |
If an Industrial and economic nature.
Moreover, the CZecho-Slovaks there
Ire doing so valuable work that the
entente powers intend to give them
such moral and material support as
hey may need, provided they stand
~ their pledge to refrain from assum-
ng permanent control over the coun-
ry through which they are passing.
I a military force Is sent into ST.
'erta 1t probably will be largely made
~ VA JapdHCSS anu CHlUbSe.
-@-
Through German sources comes the
ssertion that the soviet government
I Russia has declared 1t will ally
tself with Germany If an Anglo-Jap-
nese expedition intervenes in Siberia.
10 doubt Lenine would commit HIM
off IN aunh a cn,1raa hut a. is n e,..oz
on whether he would be sustained
y any great numbers Of Russians.
-m-
Germany's penetration of western
ussia and Finland has been accom-
anied by such brutalities that the
Iinority socialists In the reichstag
ave been attacking the governments
olicy strongly. Their leader, Hugo
ukr Ink al, |