New-York tribune., 1919-01-22
The Russian Enigma

Inc peace conference is trying to make
up its mind what to do about Russia.
Three years ago Russia was still one of
the great powers Of the world She was
one of the big partners in the Allied En-
tente What is she now? Her status is
so puzzling that the makers of the rules
of procedure for the peace congress
could not classify her. They did not
recognize her either as an Allied CO.
belligerent, an enemy or neutral.
France is the only Allied nation which
seems to have definite Russian policy.
This policy was outlined in Minister
Plchon's recent note to the British GOV
crnment
1t was outlined again before the AL
lied Supreme Council by M. Noulens, the
French Ambassador to Russia. M. Pichon
described the Bolshevist regime as "a
bloody and disorderly tyranny" 1t was
Frances purpose, he said, 'to continue
resolutely to refuse it any recognition
and to treat it as an enemy Ambassa-
dor Nouens strongly supported this
view and advocated overthrowing the
Boshevik government by military action.
France is for fighting Lenine and
Trotzky to finish. The other Allied
powers seem inclined toward mi)der
measures. There are two proposals be-
tore the Supreme Council besides the one
of vigorous military intervention. The
first of them is to sustain the new ma
tlonalties bordering on Red Russia in
their effort to halt the Bolshevist nfec
ton. This means making Poland Fin
land. Lithuania. Livonia, Esthonia. the
Ukraine, Siberia, Northern Russia and
the Cossacks do the most Of the actual
hghtlng, the Allies furnishing muni
tons, supplies, officers, moral encourage
ment and perhaps small reinforcements.
Ihe second is to recognize the Bolshevist
government and accept pledges from it
not to make war on the outlying Russian
states, to cease terrorism and to validate
Russla's international obligations.
The difficulties of military interven
ton on large scale are obvious. No
Allied government wants to send big
force into Russia just now. I.enine and
Irotzky are stronger in military sense
to-day than they were SIX months ago.
The reaction against them in Great Rus
sia, at least, is losing force
The easier way, therefore, commends
itself to many of the Allied govern
ments Some Of them almost seem per
suaded that Bolshevsm can be killed
with tolerance. Japan is withdrawing
her troops from Siberia Great Britain
IS talking about withdrawing hers from
Northern Russia. Though the Allies are
AT war with the Moscow despotism; and
That despotism is the greatest single OBJ
stacIe to peace in Europe, many states
men IN Paris are talking as if Boil
sheVlsm is simply an incident of general
disorder in Russia. They want to treat
IT as manifestation of local disorgani
zation not different in character from
other manifestations.
II Russia can be pacifed by measures
falling short of military Intervention.
well and good. But there is danger in
any policy Of compromise Of paterinp
with the realities of the situation. RoI-
shevism is no less obnoxious than Hohen
zoilernism. 1t is Hohenzollernism up-
side down 1t lives by tyranny and de-
mai Of all public and private right. 1t
is at war with all the conceptions on
which the council at Paris is trying to
base world pcase. We have officially
expressed our horror Of it. The danger
a.
sheer and enormous difficulties of meet