The sun., 1918-06-26
RUSSIAN POLICY
WATSON WILSON
Important Statement May Re
Made in Fourth Of July
Speech.
NO MILITARY PROGRAMME
Consent Of People Necessary
to Carry Out Ideals Of
President.
10 MILITARY PROGRAMME
Special Despatch 10 TuE STU.

WARRINGTON, Jure Is. President
Wilson may have an announcement Of
far reaching importance to make on
the question Of extending aid to the
Russian people in an address he 10 to
deliver at Mount Vernon. Va. on the
Fourth Of July. Imposing international
ceremonies at the tomb OF Washington
will mark this occasion. and there are
indications that the Russian problem
admittedly one OF the greatest and most
pressing problems OF the war--wiil be
uppermost in the Presidents mind.
Meanwhile reports that definite action
Of a military character is bout to be
undertaken in Siberia or elsewhere In
Russia are characterized authoritatively
as without basis. or at least as prema-
,ure. The possibility OF such a military
enterprise depends primarily on the
wishes OF the Russian people. Up to
the present. from the viewpoint OF this
Government. there has been no convInc-
ing evidence that the Russians want
allied or American intervention in ST.
beria.
Wants Consent Of Russians.
While the question OF assisting Rus
s!a in accordance with the wishes
OF representative factions OF the
Russian people is being considered in
more ways than one. this does not neccs-
sarily mean that military intervention
In Siberia Is to be part Of this assistance
plan.
So far as the attitude Of President
Wilson is concerned it is understood
that he has not changed from the posi-
ton he has taken all along. which Is
that any policy decided upon mus; be
divorced OF selfish considerations and
aimed to help the Russian people. Neces-
sarily. the consent OF the Russians to
the adoption OF the policy agreed on has
been and still is an important factor
Of the Presidents policy, 1t is indicated
here that the President would hasten
to comply with any appeal for aid, eco
nomic, financial or otherwise, which
might come from bona tide representa-
tlves OF the Russian people. Whether
any OF the appeals that have been made
come within the category has not been
determined. The United States has ad-
mittedly been goinS slow in indorsing
the Russians themselves.
Look 10 Wilson'S Leadership.
That London. Paris and other capitals
in Europe for several weeks have been
actively seeking to arrive at n policy
which would appear practical and meet
the Endorsement Of the United States is
admitted here. Some of these plans,
notably one Of them. apparently had the
Endorsement of France, Great Britain
and Japan. But even in this case the
British Government apparently Is not
yet S1n".nced that the piar would have
the approval OF all the Entente Powers
and the United States as well. The
British Government, |. Is understood. be-
lieves that President Wilson should be
posed. 1t therefore feels 1t premature
to count on any policy not yet indorsed
in Washington.
Officials and diplomats here say that
the best guidance In the present Russian
situation may be found in the speech
which Lloyd George made yesterday IN
the British Parliament The Premier
sta ted that II would be to the intercs, of
the British people and also just and
equitable. II Russia wanted it. that Great
Britain stand by Russia,
The phrase ~ Russia wanted IL" Is
regarded here as very significant, The
crux Of the Russian situation as il now
stands seems to be the necessity for
some definite indication on the part OF
the Russians that they want assistance
and that they will welcome aid extended
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