Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1919-03-01
FEAR RUSSIA MAY JO|N
HUNS AND RULE.EuR0PE
Allied Statesmen Must BE in Posi-
ton to Reason With
Slav Nation.
COUNTRY MUST FIND ITSELF
Happenings in Land of Bear Have
Shattered President Wilson'S IL
1usions-Pcacc Delegates Haven't
Learned Sentiments Of Peoples.
BY JUSTIN NIcGRtTH.

: MCShhIH.
PARIS. Feb. 2S.-Russia must find
of the allied statesmen
1t viii be a long and a painful pro-
but it is realized now by the states
men Of the great nations who are as
cape from 1t.
they entertained other Ideas. There
was time when President Wilson
ne, held the confident hope that Russian
the state of maturity and wisdom
without passing through the period Of
sowing wild oats He expressed this
belief in vivid language In his message
to Congress. advising that n state of
war be declared to exist between the
United States and Germany. He said
III that message:
Does not every American feel that
assurance has been added TO our hope
for the future peace of the world by
that have been happening within the
past few weeks in Russia. Russi;.
was known by those who knew 1t best
to have been always, in fact. demo-
cratic at heart. in all the vital habits
of her thought. in all the intimate
relations of her people that spoke their
tude towards life. The autocracy that
crowned the summit OF her political
structure. long as had stood. and ter
was not, in. fact. Russian in origin.
character or purpose, and now it has
been shaken off and the great gem
in all their native majesty and might
to the forces that are lighting for
freedom OF tho world, for Justice and
league of honor"
RUSSIAN HAPPENINGS
SKATER ILLUSIONS
Many things have eventuated since
that confident declaration. Happen.
ings in Russia have rudely shattered
Mr.. Wilson's illusions that the Rus
sian democracy could be taken into
full partnership with the league OF ma
tions without period of probation. and
be an efficient and available partner.
Undoubtedly Mr.. Wilson has been
Obliged regretfuily to revise his
But despite his disappointment In the
Russians-and TO him unquestionably
Russian chaos Is great and shock
not changed his attitude of friendli-
ness toward the Russian people and
their aspirations. He has been ada
mant to the suggestions that the hest
the Russian Bolshevists be made to
feel the iron hand of the other allied
powers Of Europe and the United
both an ungrateful and an unwise
course.
He has remained firm in the con-
most powerful persuasion. that the
hest way to meet the deplorable and
difficult conditions in Russia Is through
kindness and reason rather than by
harshnesS and force.
He gave his consent to American
participation in the military invasion
of Northern Russia only because he
was led to believe that such an eX-
afford opportunity for the people of
Russia 10 express their will as to
tine character OF government under
which they wished to live. He did not
believe the government, or tyranny.
established BY Lenine and Trotzky
represented the real wishes Of the
Russian people. but was inclined to
regard it as an auxiliary OF German
autocracy. whose aim. primarily, was
to aid Germany. even though the aiding
of Germany involved the ruin of Rus
sia.
DECLARES EXPEDITION
PROVES BIG FAILURE
1t is now abundantly exident: IN fact.
alarmingly so. that this expedition has
been great failure. That, it is ad-
mitted. even by those. who are still
unwilling TO concede that the eXpedi-
ton was undertaken under a complete
misconception of the Russian peoples
real attitude.
But President Wilson Sill remains
undiscouraged in his desire TO find out
what the real attitude and purposes
Of the Russians are and ascertain
whether it be not possible by reason
and fair dealing still to have Russia
adopt G. regime which will offer prom
Use of happiness and prosperity to the
Russian people and at the same time
constitute an additional bulwark In
maintaining the equilibrium and peace
OF the world
1t was with that idea that he pro-
posed 10 the peace, conference that
meet representatives of all the Rus
Sian factions on the island OF Prinkipo
in the Sea OF Marmora.
The Importance of reconciling Russia
with the allies can not be over
estimated in the view OF some OF the
statesmen here. Some go so far as to
league of nations and the security of
Europe and the world against another
titude which Russia shall take to-
wards the. new order. now being
evolved by the Paris conference. They
military autocracy, and on the way 10
become the most highly socialized re-
publican state in the world. Unless
established between the 10000. 900
people OF Russia and the other allied
nations Of Europe. the inevita BILE tend
wards an alliance with Germany. with
whose people she Is likely to be in ac-
cord politically and economically.
RUSSIA FOR AID
The rapprochement Of tht Germans
and Russians woud be almost certain,
It is, said. if the allied nations should
decide TO cut loose from Russia and
send her adrift. Those holding this
point OF view assert that ENLIGHTENED
sslf-interest. as well as gratitude for
the Huns attacked and tried to over
throw 1t. ought to inspire the big fye
powers or the peace conference 10
and the Russian people 10 the LEAGUE
OF nations.
Russia and Germany united would
n3ld the rest or Europe at their mercy.
The very worst mistake that co,Ild no