Evening star., 1918-07-01
POLICY IN RUSSIA
ISSUE FOR future
U. S. at Present Prefers to
Keep "Hands off, and %
"Eyes Alert"
MANY QUESTIONS RAISED
BY DAVID LAWRENCE.

BY DAVID LAWRENCE.
Copyright. 1913, by n. Y. Evening Post co.,
Many are the suggestions for action
by the United States in Russia. but
not one of them has as yet commend
ed itself to President Wilson or Sec
retary Lansing as Immediately feas-
ible except one-a policy Of hands of
but eyes alert. ,
On all sides there is pressure for
some step that will bring Russia back
into the allied camp. or at least keep
Germany from exacting any benefits
from her helpless neighbor. but the
government Of the United States at
the present moment Is of the belief
that an affirmative policy involving
political or military Intervention is
more likely to bring disastrous re-
suits than a negative or passive
course.
It is an open secret that the allies.
upon exchanging views recently. did
not find themselves in sufficient har-
any program that would have the
whole hearted support Of all con-
cerned.
More Than One Question Involved.
1t is not merely whether japanese
troops shall be asked to blaze the
way because they are nearest to the
only avenue of military access, but 1t
is ql istion Of what political unit
or units shall be supported and
whether they represent. after all, the
true aspirations Of the Russian people.
For another open secret about the
Russian business is that the entente
policy OF taking sides and helping
first one faction and then another has
not stirred UP much enthusiasm for
the allied cause. but many awkward
and uncomfortable antagonisms.
So far as the American government
is concerned. the situation in Russia is
still local-that Is. no integrated au-
thority exists and no semblance of the
same Is in immediate prospect. To
tie up with any of these groups might
mean in this day of rapidly changing
developments a political Intervention
that eventually could destroy Ameri-
can influence altogether. Before the
United States throws its moral sup
port to any group or faction, 1t will
or faction assisted somehow repre-
sents the ideals and principles of the
Russian revolution and is on the road
at least. to support and adhesion by a
considerable number Of the Russian
people.
The principle which the American
government prefers to follow in the
present instance is not only ira
ditional. but based upon a desire to
permit the several elements original
ly possessing the sovereignty Of a
country to determine for themselves
which Of those elements shall be con-
sidered supreme or representative. 1t
is true that Russia may never be-
come a state of the geographical
status she occupied before the war.
and that several smaller states may
assert their Independence. But none
Of these as yet has progressed to the
point where recognition can be ac-
corded as q separate entity.
Not Technical on SUPERFICIAL View
Nor should it be understood that the
nical or SUPERFICIAL. There Is con-
ddence behind 1t that only by await
ing the resurgence OF authority and
centralized government can the best
help be rendered the infant democ-
racy. From some aspects this may
seem to be flying in the face Of a
military necessity that demands in
slant action-that IL. repair Of sit
uation already provocative OF men
acing results on the western front.
but not ono Of the allied governments
is ready to agree to the diversion Of
any American, British or French
troops in considerable numbers for
use in Russia. All effort is now con-
and will be Indefinitely. on
the western front or in ITALY,.
' Japan is unwilling to go it alone.
especially without the fullest SYM
pathy of the entente. particularly be-
cause such an expedition will require
a large outlay of money, and loan
with Japan's needs un-
uuestionably would have to be obtain
ed in the United States.
So, II there Is to be no immediate
expedition to Russia, the only
other weapon at the disposal Of the
recognition or the ex-
tension Of moral support. which in
oludes, OF course. economic assistance
Gentinnsd On Fourth Ragal