Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1919-01-24
RUSSIA AND THE CONFERENCE

1t will not, be without misg1vings that the world will
note the decision reached by the supreme council Of the
peace conference to grant a measure Of recognition to the
various factions, including the Bolsheviki. which, in one
form or another. are exercising the powers of government
in the sections of Russia where they happen to be domi-
nant. The plan is substantially that suggested by Lloyd
George some little time ago, and which. at that time. was
emphatically repudiated by Minister Pinchon Of France.
Evidently those opposed to the plan have seen new light
as a result of the discussions of the past few days. for it
is announced that the decision to have a meeting with
representatives of the various>Russian factions was unan-
imous. In these discussions we are told that President
Wilson took the lead, which he could very we'll do without
running into several complications inseparable from the
sumption OF leadership by the representative Of any
other nation. .
1t is not pleasant to think that any recognition what.
ever il to be given to an organization so far outside Of
the pale Of civilized existence as is the anarchistic, tyran-
ant to know that such a society exists, and that such a
society does exist, and that it is in control Of a consider
able part of European Russia, is a fact with which we
have to deal. The decision of the conference is based
on no sympathy with anarchy, for certainly none exists
among the representatives who from day to day are seat
ed around that council table. 1t may be assumed, there
fore. that after due elaboration the representatives of
the great powers Of the world have decided that such a
conference as is proposed offers the most direct road to
otoeAAy government IN Nuea1a. Inat this is the expecta-
ton Of the conferees cannot be questioned. And, while
they may be mistaken, their. means Of Information are
certainly better than are those of any other people In
the world. >
We must note, too, the four conditions which are
laid down as indispensable to an adjustment Of Russian
affairs: First, immediate cessation o. hostilities: second
the removal Of every obstacle to the free circulation OF
food and other commodities between the var.ou. factiona]
districts of Russia and between them and the OUTSIDE
world; third, general elections on a representative basis;
fourth. an adequate arrangement, for the payment OF
debts.
These conditions themselves, II agreed to. viii mari
the end OF Bolshevism as a dominant force in Russia
Bolshevism, in the first place, 10 a system of terrorism
The first conditions will remove that. It capitalizes the
hunger of the masses. The second condition aims at thu
feeding the hungry masses. Bolshevism has resisted
every attempt to hold elections on a representative basis
Finally, the reputation Of debts is the very essence Of
Bolshevism.
II the proposed program is carried out, instead Of
6olshevism being recognized, conditions. will have beer
made and accepted which will amount to the surrende,
by the Bolshevist leaders Of their hopes of governments
control and their subsistence in favor Of a representatfv.
body, elected by the people for the purpose OF carryin,
on q government in accordance with the practices and
ideals Of civilized peoples. 49,