The Logan Republican. [volume] (Logan, Utah) 1902-1924, 1919-03-25


The crux of the French policy toward
boshevist Russia is the latter's repudia-
ton of foreign loans, including chiefly
the enormous sums which France poured
into Russian hands during the years pre-
ceding the world war The French have
no disposition to perpetuate in power a
regime that does not recognize an obliga-
ton to repay them these loans which run
into billions of francs Therefore they
have supported the Czecho Slovak opera
tions against the Reds and thrown their
influence against compromises with
Lenin.
We do not say this is the only basis for
the French governments opposition to
recognition or even partial aid to the ex-
listing regime in great Russia. Like the
other governments of western Europe
they realize that bolshevism is as Colonel
Robins says, "a fundamental menace" to
our civilization and that any aid to it, on
whatever grounds Of immediate expe-
diency is serious responsibility, if not
fatal blunder. But England, which GER
tainly does not wish to spread the flame
of revolution was half persuaded to deal
with Lenin and we think Mr. Wilson
might have been persuaded. The French,
far as we know have never faltered
their opposition land we do not think any
French government could survive the sur
render of Frances claims to reimburse
ment.
Why? Because the money the Russian
imperial government got came from the
French people, and the French people
hold the bonds. French peasants and
French shopkeepers are thrifty as well as
Industrious and each year they have been
turning in to the French banker, who acts
as their investment broker, hundreds of
millions of francs. The bankers have put
these millions largely into foreign loans,
and so it is not big business but little
business-that is, the French people
themselves-which is directly interested
that whatever Russian government is
finally established shall honor the obliga-
lions of the past.
IWhatever the wars of the past may
have grown from the wars of the future
II we. cannot prevent them, are going to
arise over economic aims of which the PEG
pie are fully conscious and which they
cherish and are willing to fight for The
spread of democracy in itself is not going
to abolish wars. We think it will diminish
them in numbers because after all, the
average man has no desire for military
glory and will go long way to avoid the
sacrifice of war. In the degree that he
IS control Uycl national policy he will
oppose it and elaboate projects for inn
perialist ACKNOWLEDGMENT and conquest,
such as the Prussian military caste de-
| veloped ARE not likely to flourish.
America is asked to make heavy sac
rifice in enteringany European organiza-
ton 1t is the duty of our statesmen to
make certain of the character Of any pro-
ject proposed and the duty of our people
as well for we are guardians not only of
our own welfare but also trustees of the
future.
Here is the next vital question that may
confront the nations. If the tribunal of
the league Of nations decided, as it would.
that Russia must pay its billions of debt
to France, and If Russia refused, should
we obey mandate of the league, direct
| ing us to send our millions of men and
billions OF treasure into Russia to help
the French people collect their just debts
Chicago Tribune.
u n n
WHAT HAS BECOME OF THE