Evening star., 1919-04-05
RUSSIAN PROBLEM
BLOCKING PEACE
Issue That Must Be SquareIy
Met and Determined by
League of victors.
INTEREST IN U. S. POLICY
BY DAVID LAWRENCE.

There can be no peace in Europe
Russian problem is squarely met and
solved. Bolshevism is the menace of
Europe. What, therefore, will be the
policy of the United States govern
ment? Will it be recognition of the
soviet of Lenin as de facto author
lty, which press dispatches from
abroad hint the inclination Of both
President Wilson and Premier Lloyd
George. as the best means of getting
some sort OF government started? Or
will it eventually be armed resistance
of the bolshevist forces as Premier
Clemenceau and the French delegates
earnestly advocatec
That Russia is the foundation stone
of peace and the acid test of the pres
ent league Of victors and peace -mak-
ers Is recognized as fundamental here.
A policy Of hands off is not expected,
nor is policy of armed Intervention
favored Somewhere between the two
extremes is course of action which
is in line with American precedent
and tradition.
Suggested Plan Based on Study.
Here is a plan based upon the study
of the problem from its legal and po.-
1itical aspects:
First, that the United States and the
associated powers announce forthwith
to the Russian people that they stand
ready and anxious to recognize a
government in Russia; that it is no
concern of these powers what is the
personnel or the form of government
selected by the people of Russia, but
1t is the concern of the associate ted
powers what is the capacity of such
a government to discharge interna-
tiGnal obligations. including the full
protection of nationals and their in
terests.
Second, that the Russian people be
urged to manifest to the outside
world by assemblies or such means as
they choose just what authority they
recognize as legitimate. and that the
associated powers stand ready to as
sist the people of Russia in the hold
ing of fair election whenever such
assistance is invited.
Third. that the associated powers
announce that no government can be
recognized either as de facto or a
de jure authority in Russia which
embodies in its program any doctrine
looking to the overthrow by force or
otherwise of existing governments in
other countries. and that a renuncia-
tlon of such doctrine is absolutely
prerequisite to the reaching of any
understanding with the people of any
part of Russia now in the control Of
the authorities holding such doctrine
Acceptance, Then Negotiations.
Fourth. that the acceptance of the
above condition shall lead to neeotia-
tons which shall have for their object
merely the setting forth Of the condi-
tons of recognition which shall include,
Tor example, guarantees that the debt
- IY,<y Npso1 tNN-r
ments in Russia shall be accepted as
valid and arrangements made for their
liquidation over a period of years.
Flfth. that the failure to renounce
doctrines that have for their object the
overthrow of other governments in other
countries shall be regarded as an admis-
sion OF state of war, and the military
and naval forces of the associated DOW
ers Will be employed to prevent the COM
MISSION OF acts of hostility within the
connheS of the associated powers
To this end a military barrier on the
eastern frontier of Germany shall be
constructed. and the German govern
ment shall be obliged to give guaran-
tees of absolute cooperation in de-
Tending Europe from the aggression
of bolshevist forces. Similarly a com
mercial blockade Of the character in
voked during the European war shall
be imposed upon those portions of
Russia deemed to be at war with the
associated powers, and that those
parts of Russia which adhere to the
bolshevlst regime in it's intention to
spread it's doctrine of anarchy into
other countries shall be isolated, while
those parts of Russia which stand
ready to organize constitutional
government and satisfy international
obligations will receive the material
and moral support necessary to make
of them separate nations, if they SO
desire, or federation of states.
Obvious Results Noted.
Obviously if the Lenin-Trotskv
regime renounced it's program of en-
deavoring to change the character of
governments in other parts of the
world by forceful means and agreed
to the holding of an election whereby
the people could have a fair oppor-
tunity to express their wishes, they
would be given the same sort of treat