The Washington herald., 1918-01-15

The example We are about to quote
Is not the only one of its kind in the
nation. 1t is one of many-one of
many in which newspapers and the
public show a lack of information on
\ the subject of Russia and Russian
affairs just now.
On Saturday the Washington Post
said in one of Albert Fox's very il
Eliminating semi-editOrials:
There are already indications that
President Wilson's policy toward the
Bolsheviki is bearing fruit Latest
advices show perceptible stiffening
of the Russian attitude toward Ger
many" etc.
While on the editorial page of Mr..
MCLean's paper appeared the same
figure. but with this conflicting state
ment:
IF this is the case Cthe arrange
ment by which trade is resumed be-
tween Bulgaria and Russia), the ne
gotiations at Brest-LitOvsk have al
ready borne good fruit for the en-
emy."
But President Wilson said in his
notable speech Of January s: THE
negotiations at Brest-Litovsk have
been broken off,
Anu lHt ASSOCldltu FTeSS anu
other dispatches bear us the news
that negotiations are still on, and that
it may be only a short time until these
three things are accomplished:
81. The cessation of hostilities be-
tween Bulgaria and Russia.
80 Political and commercial rela-
tions between the two countries to be
resumed.
hula arin 70 he civ ri Of
representation in Danube commits
sion."
The average citizen, whose heart
and money and blood are wrapped up
in winning the war, says:
What is Shc truth about the situa
ton? Who is giving the President the
information and advice upon which
our Russian moves are based? Is
there no way open for some definite
program to be determined upon be-
tween this country and Russia? Why
cannot we send a commission over
now when it is infinitely more impor-
tant than it was to take this step last
summer?
And so on ad infinitum.
Congress is puzzled the same as
other folks. Congress is worried too.
But Congress, like the average citi-
zen whose queries are propounded
above, wants to know whose knowl-
edge of actual Russian affairs is guild
ing this country at the present time.
OF course. the President moves upon
information presented to him and
shared by few other officials. But
whose information is 1t? Congress
would like to know-and Congress re-
fleets the curiosity of the public at
large. And the public at large is en-
titled to know anything it wants to-
because; we admonish those who hold
contrary views, the public pays the
bills in blood and in money. and there
fore is asking nothing untoward when
it insists that more light be shed on
the matter.
Senator Jones of WASHINGTON
may not get very far with his bill
TO establish a commission to re-
port upon legislation needed after
the war, but he will have the salts
faction OF seeing the idea adopted
later on.
This is the belief of many men,
bers who feel inclined to oppose
the proposal now, but who say that
without question some such an
idea will be presented and ratified
later on.
Senator Jones believes that the
problem should be met now. He
thinks the future needs will come
upon us heavily and suddenly and
that we should be prepared for
them. He insists that many of the
acute needs we can foresee with ac-
curacy and that if we are to do
our full duty we must provide
against that time.
The Washington solon's measure
provides for commission of 27
members to outline these needs.
This commission is to have official
life of not exceeding one year. As
the bilk specifies, the commission
will comprise three members each
of these following interests: manu-