The Chattanooga news. [volume] (Chattanooga, Tenn.) 1891-1939, 1919-07-25
THE RUSSIAN MYSTERY.

The New Republic yhich has per-
sistently opposed armed intervention
by this country in Russia, quotes q
recent statement OF President Mas
aryk, of the new Czecho- Slovak re-
public In support of its position. The
Czecho- Slovak republic, be 1t re-
membered, has been carved out OF
the former territory of Austria. 1t
was recognized by the allies--as a
war measure--before II had any or
ganized existence, and while Presi-
dent Masaryk was still living in this
country. Moreover, II was ostensibly
for the relief and release of Czecho-
Slovak soldiers. who had been cap
tured, while serving in the Austrian
armies, by the Russians that the ST.
berian expedition was organized. A
detachment OF these soldiers passed
through this country en- route home
a few days ago.
Just like nearly every unbiased
man who studies the matter, Presi-
dent Masaryk thinks an effectual
military Intervention in Russia is a
very large task. As an alternative,
he favors abstaining from forcible
interference entirely. He takes the
altogether more rational position
that II would be much more expe-
dent for the allies to establish
friendly relations with all Of the va
rious Russian governments. In this
connection Mr.. Masaryk insists there
was nothing monstrous about the
proposed Prinkipo conference. He
also believes the allies might con-
troll the economic trend Of affairs
in Russla--and thus forestall Ger
peaceable intercourse
If they would but undertake 1t that
way. This would leave the natives
free to work out their own situation.
and Masaryk doesn't think they
would be so long about 1t.
All of the foregoing seems logical
and pertinent. The allied Russian
expeditions are one Of the unex-
planned enterprises of the war. There
have been appeals on every hand to
learn their cause and purpose, but
have ELECTED only cryptic and evas-
i've replies. Even in America, the
matter is more or less of mystery,
though American casualty lists arc
coming In daily. A censorship is
over news coming out of |
Russia, hence nearly all information |
is strongly colored in reaching the |
world. A significant feature !
Of the situation is that those in con-
troll In bolshevik Russia have had |
little opportunity to tell their own
story to the balance Of the world. |
Lack of reliable information in
creases the suspicion that there are
Interests TO he served which the
public knows not Of
n is known that France and Eng
land have heretofore made heavy
loans to Russia and Russians, but
since Lenine has offered to recognize
these, they do not furnish a suffi-
cient explanation of military inter-
Many persons give credit TO
NAAS bAAVOAy tAtl tllo movements
headed by Kolchak and Denekine.
and which have been favored by the
aAlits represent a combination of
political and economic reactionism
which is trying to recover control
OF the country. In other words, the
consensus seems to be that, while
Lenine exemplifles the extreme limit
or communism, his assailants are
those who would restore to power the
economic forces that controlled Rus
STA and Germany before the war
and possibly the monarchy. A pop
ular democracy would lie about mid |
way between these limits.
The CEecho- S1ovaks are consid- |
cred the antithesis of everything boil
sheviki and what President Masarvk
mas to say is entitled to great weight. |
He doesn't profess any exclusive
knowledge Of the best method of pro-
cedure, but he does think that In the
present circumstances we should feel
our way very carefully. He probably |
reels that most any Conditions would |
be improved by the restoration Of
peace. We believe the world gen. !
orally, II it understood the situation.
would agree with him. Probably Tho |
most obvious difference between
Alasaryk and Clemenceau is that
when uncertain what to do. the for
mer would do nothing, while the |
latter would do something. With |
Russia and Germany tranouilizod
ana admitted to the league of ma
tions' the numerous rumored ali-
ances would be rendered superfluous