The Cordova daily times. [volume] (Cordova, Alaska) 1914-1947, 1919-02-14

being unrestrictedly vested in the
people has worked great disorganiz-
alton and threatens their final de-
struction. Politics has brought on
| feeling of unrest, demonstration OF
currency, and is fast bringing about
| disregard of the laws and the courts.
Should the laws and the courts be-
come imperative and disregarded be-
fore the re-establishment of gov
eminent, the condition presented will
be extremely complex.
Not Ready for seIf-Government.
It would appear most conducive to
the speedy re-establishment Of a gov
eminent that the allied forces give
recognition to the existing laws and
support the established courts in
their execution. In this manner the
people may be held effectually in re-
ence and respect for the law until
| final determination upon a govern
mental plan. Such a course would
appear to more expeditiously and eff
fectually permit of the establishment
of proper governmental authority;
and this for the reason that politics
and political leaders, if permitted to
continue in their operations unre-
strained, will bring existing laws into
utter disregard and thereby DESTROY
the courts. The result will be that
before permanent government can
be established, unnecessary delay will
be occasioned, incident to an entire
governmental reconstruction which
will be necessitated.
For the present, and until education
al development, requiring the lapse OF
many years, republican form OF
government for Russia is an impos.
sibility. They will have to start with
a limited democracy-an aristocratic
democracy, in my opinion. 1t would
be the height of absurdity to extend
the equal right of suffrage to the
masses; even far more pronouncedly
apparent than in the case of the ex-
clusion of Indians in America. And
even to establish and maintain an
aristocracy, assistance and guidance
for years to come from America will
be necessitated. The populace gen.
orally looks with more kindly feeling
upon America than any other nation,
and friendly relations should be pre-
Served. The Japanese are not looked
upon with favor by the populace, and
their motives are continuously to be
questioned.
| The Trail Blazers.
When the history of this military
expedition shall have been written,
due credit must and will be given to
The american trail Blazers viz, the
Russian railway service corps. Too
much can not be said in praise of
their patriotic sacrifices or of their &C
complishments. They comprise a Sc
lected body of experienced and cap
able railroad men, hand-picked from
the largest operating railroads in the
United States, numbering about 300
in all, by far the greater number of
whom come from the northwest.
They are mostly ably and efficiently
commanded by Colonel G. R. Emer-
son, we'll and favorably known in Mon
tana, who Immediately before enter
ing this patriotic work was general
manager of the Great Northern rail
road. The second in command is Lieu
tenant Colonel T. H. Lantry, well
known in Montana as Harry Lantry,"
who was at the time he entered this
service assistant to the first vice.
president of the Northern Pacific
railroad.
Numbered among them as a prom
inent factor is Major B. o. Johnson,
division superintendent of the Mon
tana division of the Northern Pacific
railroad, stationed at Livingston at the
time of his entry into the service, al
SO well known in Montana. The North
ern Pacific and the state of Montana
have contributed the greater number
OF these men, and consequently you
appreciate their efficiency. My daily
association with them keeps the
blues away. I frequently visit with
Lantry at his car and we have in
dulged in real Montana sociability,
but of course, obedient to law and
regulations.
Railway Service Corps.
This organization was preceded
here by the United States railway
commission to Russia, which arrived
here in May. 1917, and Of which John
F. Stevens was chairman. Mr.. Stew
ems was the only one Of the commits
sion to remain here, and he has been,
and now ia here aaa0ciafad with the |