The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-03-27
US. IS OPPOSED
TO WAR0N REDS
UNLESS FORCED
Delegates to Peace Confer
ence See No Immedi-
ate Peril.
WORLD BATTLE WEARY
Condition Might Arise for
America to Fight to Pro-
tect It's Loans.
PEOPLE AGAINST MOVE
In Meantime Farley Considers
Situation and the Spread
Of Bolshevism.
PEOPLE AGAINST MOVE


Copyright. 1873: oil rfohfs reserved.
PARIS. March 2s.-The world is tired
o, war. The world does not want to
make war upon Bolshevism unless
Bolshevism forces the world into de-
fensive war. That is not only an ex-
preston Of the general sentiment here
but 1t is a direct expression Of the
views Of the best informed soldiers and
others in the American Peace Commits
sion. They are almost unanimous
against the wisdom of a general Of
fensive against Bolshevism at this
time.
1t Is admitted that Bolshevism is grow
Ing stronger daily. II Is not yet close
enough to Western Europe. but II the
creep Of the tide continues without
turn, close enough to effect direct
connection with German Sparticism or
to touch Belgium. France or Italy, then
the only course left would be to night It
in self-defense.
The United States might be forced
into that fight, II only to protect the
billions the Allies owe US. But new
general offensive at this time against
Bolshevism involves such risks and re-
sponsibilities for the United States that
her representatives here are frankly
trying to avoid It.
Would Ne Heavy Toll on q. 3.
Practically all Of the costs Of such
an offensive would fall upon the United
States. The United States would have
to Furnish the greater part Of the men
and all Of the moneys andsthes cost in
neither would be light. The Allies are
| in no condition to bear their proper
t.onate share in such an enterprise.
| President Wilson believes that the peo-
pie at home are not willing TO make the
necessary sacrihees unless convinced
they are urgently needed for the good OF
the United States. OF this the President
believes the American people are not
convinced. Information reaching the
Peace Commission convinces 1t that the
people at home do not yet see Bolshevism
as a peril that can directly menace them
or that It is a peril that can be avoided
by sending the army to Russia.
This does not mean that the Bolshevik
peril is not recognized here. It again
formed the subject Of an extended dis.
cussion with Marshal Foch to-day. But
the Americans are making every eifor,
to discourage the idea OF fighting any
thing but a defensive fight
Little Help From Allies.
Every one agrees that II the United
States participated in any but purely
defensive war against the Bolsheviki II
would become involved In an enormous
task OF manifold difficulties and endless
complications. No matter how much the
Allies might wish to help 1t 10 a grave
question as TO how many troops and
how much material they could contrib
ute. II American soldiers. many OF
whom went through the hardships oi
only a few months OF victorious lighting
want to go home, how much moro SO dc
these others who have. endured for year;
not only danger and hardship. but the
fiuctuating fortunes OF victory and de
feat. For the most part they have had
enough. II 1t were a question Of fight
ing the Germans again the old hatred
might act as a spur. but toward the Rus
slams practically none entertain feel
ing of enmity and few even hold fol
them any sympathy.
American military men have not 6
doubt that the best force in Europ,
to-day for a night against Bolshevism Of
against any army in Europe. is tn,
American Army OF Occupation. Gen
Pershing has just inspected this fore,
on the Rhine. He found the moral,
never finer. their discipline splendid ant
their equipment excellent.
U. s. Force Ready for Anything.
They are ready for anything one OF
ficer said. They could undoubtedly bea
the Bolsheyiki. But they are not In
! vulnerable some of them would b,
killed. others would be manned.
The United States would have I,
finance the whole campaign. as the Allie
have little money for such purpose
even II the allied peoples would sanction
It's expenditure under present conditions
That would mean more loans. more tax
alton and more prlvation for the 'peopl,
at home. .. .e
From the military point of view tn
, pacification of Russia presents every DIFF
, ficulty Mexico presented masnified man,
times over. .,.
Military authoritIeS refuse even to es
, innate the time it would take to pacif,
the country. 1t Is time that Is though
Of in years, however. rather than il
months.
Considering all these factors, espe
cially the uncertainty of the amount o
help the Allies could be counted upo,
to furnish, for the United States to ente
into an offensive campaign against Boil
shevism would be a step involving result
Of the greatest gravity. ~~
President Wilson does not believe him
! self justified in taking It, so far. ss Tn
American troops In France are COS
cerned. Though they are citizen. SO
, diers. he 10 Represented as thinking tn.
are soldiers and they obey orders. ~.
their obedience to such an order woul
lack all the splendid enthusiasm of tho.
fight against Germany Thus far the
| do not see the need Of IL