The Washington herald., 1919-02-24
BY JOHN LLOYD BALDERsTON
Copyright, 1919, By the Mcclure Newsp<psr
syndicstsl

syn13Al
Paris. Feb. 23-"wiIson is offer
ing a bun to the Tiger" This
phrase, attributed to Tiger Clemen-
ceau, has run throughout Paris, and
fairly expressed French opinion con-
cerning the proposal to confer with
the Bolsheviks on the Princes Is
land. understood to have been fore
ed on the conference by Wilson and
Lloyd George against the protests
OF France. Italy and many smaller
nations.
The French attitude towards Rus
sia is represented by many Ameri-
cans and Englishmen as exceeding
ly reactionary, as being dictated by
French bankers and big business
men who are only interested in
their tremendous investments in
that country. In the course of a
conversation with a high and au-
thoritative French source. have
obtained statement OF the French
position that is at variance with
these views. This man said:
In the first place, 1 am extreme
ly anxious to make known that
France has never been animated by
reactiQnary feelings towards Russia.
There are. of course, in France, as
in England, certain rcactionary
forces at work. but they do not rep
resent the spirit of the nation. nor
do they influence the policy Of the
government.
No Resctionary Idea.
In no papers that have passed
through my hands has there been
the smallest reactionary suggestion.
The documents from government
departments have been singularIy
exempt from any word that could
be construed as favorinE the cause
of the old regime or OF any atavistiC
politicians who would desire to re-
store the conditions in Russia which
have. let US hope, for ever disap-
peared."
He pointed out that II France
had wished 10 aid in the overthrow
of the BOlsheviks in order to es-
tablish any form OF monarchy or
despotism. the task would have
been simpler, since she would have
aided very considerably the emigres
and others belonging TO the old
caste, even though, OF course. she
would have had no assistance in
this task from either England or
America.
inEs in diplomatic circles at the
suggestion. put forward so fire.
quentIy in French and foreign news
papers, that France, who had her
own revolution which changed the
history Of the world. should have
become the home OF reaction in any
form. and that she should be rep
resented as endeavorinE 10 stifie
a revolution merely because IL IS
a revolution. France has always
regarded herself as in the vanguard
OF progress, and she does not wish
to lag behind now in this glorious
hour when liberty has secured fresh
triumphs.
France Has Own Viewpoint.
II France is implacably opposed
to the Bolshcviks," he went on. 1t
is not because France IS not as ad-
vanced as England CT America. II
lis because she has a clearly reasoned
point Of view and Is logical enough
10 endeavor TO express that point OF
view in action.
II Socialist republic had bccn
set up in Russia based upon demo-
cratic ideals. France would have been
ready to welcome IL But something
much more deadly. something which
nenaces civilization itself. has come
into being. and it is necessary to com
bat these evil forces TO the full eN-
tent OF our power"
Asked to specify in plain terms tho
somewhat nebulous accusations that
have been brought against the Boil
sheviks. and which France accepts
a well founded. he did SO as follows:
l. The Bolsheviks continue to exist
bv system Of organized terrorism.
4 comparative handful Of men, clev-
er but INSCRIPTIONS. maintain them
selves in power by methods which
are the opposite OF democratic
> They have ill-treated the ma