davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
New-York tribune., 1919-01-19

voiced editorially by "The New York
World:"
"Whether or not the suggestion of the
BRITISH government was the wiscst and most
practical solution of the Russian problem, it
had the very great merit of presenting
definite and an ineligible policy. In fact.
this suggestion from London is the only
definite and Ineligible Russian policy that
any Of the Allied governments has put forth
since the revolution"
The trend of American editoria! opin-
ion seems to be that NJ. Pichon miscon-
strued Lloyd Georges proposal.
That NJ. Pichon misunderstood Llovd
Georges proposal of a Russian truce is
evident from his reference to it as "a
contract with crime, The Worldv re-
marks, and concludes:
Surely, if the British proposal is to be
rejected outright there ought to be counter
policy and no counter policy has been pre-
sented. The sum and substance of NJ
Plchon's answer is that Russia must con-
tnue to drift III sea of blood"
Inc strongest condemnation of the
French course is sounded by "The
Springfield Republican, which saws.
Though the Russian problem is at nres-
ent too tangled for a very confident oninion
as to what the Allies should do. it NAV he
SAID with confidence that upon the particu
lar issue which has now come up the Brit
lSh government is in the right and the
french government, or its Foreign Secre-
'ary' stephen Pichon is in the wrong.
Under the conditions the Allies
would strengthen rather than weaken their
case by securing and putting before the
world the fullest possible information in
regard to Russia
I'm no quarter should such information
be more welcome than at the French For
elgn Once, which has from the beginning
committed itself to disastrous series Of
mistakes eXplicablc only by Ignorance of
the true state of affairs. We need mention
only Its prcclpltate recognition Of Finnish
government which directly proved to be
ro-German, its loan of $50 100000 and dis
patch of n military mission to tho Ifkrsine
Just as that country was about to conclude
separate peace with Germany. md its re-
cent support OF reactionary government
IN the Ukraine just as it was swept away
ny strong popular uprising. These are
'he 'hree absurd things in tragic war and
IN cach case the blundcr any one Of thcm
sulhcicnt TO wreck the rcnutntion of n dinlo
mAtis', lay with Foreign Minister Pichon"
New-York tribune., 1919-01-19
nat MCAd0O Was
Up Against

THE Minneapolis Joulnal" dwells
upon the same point, while THE Cincin-
matt Commercial Tribune" adds:
"As matter of fact, just the time when
the clear light of peace is beginning to
illuminate some of the dark places and
reveal in their rawness phases Of govern
ment war mismanagement does not appear
a propitious time to argue the indfinite ex-
tension of government ownership of com
peting public serving utilities"
This does not mean, however, that
public opinion utterly condemns Mr.. Nc
Adoo's war administration of the roads
On the contrary, there is a very general
disposition to recognize the enormous
difficulties and pressure under which he
worked and to credit him with the Or
ganization of several notable improve
ments in the system. 1t is only his in
sistence that what was suffered by the
country purely as a war measure should
be carried over into peace time which
eXcites opposition. All that he has in
troduced in the way of rail bettelment
should, in the popular view, be retained,
New-York tribune., 1919-01-19

engage our nation in the most sinister of
adventures, despite the foresight Of our
allies and despite the French proctariat
which Will not forget this capital fault of
our government"
On the other hand, the ministerialist
papers hurried to the support of Pi-
chon's stand. 'La Liberte" said:
There IS nothing In it calculated to en-
barrass our government. 1t expresses per
1ectly clearly and with absolute exactitude
the reason which obliged the Allies to
persist in their former decision not to roc
ognize the Bolshcvik government. The AL
lies must help the sane elements of Russia
to rid themselves of anarchy.
10 recognize in any way whatever the
Moscow criminals would be a grave mis-
take. That is what Minister Pichon said
AS for the Allies, they have made no OH
lection. The country will approve. Accord
between France and the Allies remains
complctc.'
The lmputation made by "L'Huma-
nlte," that the Lloyd George Pichon ex-
change created dscord between Eng
land and France, or pointed to the exist
ehce OF such dlscord, was fouted by lie
Temps the mouthpiece Of the French
Foreign Office
Inc comment Of the London press
was far from unanimous. WRITING in
The Daily Chronicle" Harold Will
lams, the noted expert on Russian af-
lars, condemned Lloyd Georges offer
as stimulus to the spread of Bolshe
Vism. He said:
Lennne could not have wished for better
luck to give him another breathing space.'
TO absolve him from the necessity Of
further military effort just when bc is
stralnlng every nerve to bring nbout n world
revolution IS almost to agree to the Boil
sheVlst plan Of campaign. The armistice
came little too soon for Lenine. 1e de-
slrcs breathing space, just as he did
year ago and now the British government
proposes he should be given one-proposcs.
IN TACT, that he should be allowed n clear
held for his world propaganda
men, supposng the Bolshcviki did come
10 inc conference, VIC should simplv sec
repetition on large scale Of the sncctoclc
OF brest LltoYsk, with President Wilson.
Lloyd George and Clcmcnccau in thc nm
dignlhed position Of Kuhlmann and Count
tzerpin, while Trotzky and Radck dignlovcd
'he'r quits oi ropartcc and their corruscnt-
ing theories to nj natoundcd world There
New-York tribune., 1919-01-19
Strong for Five
Year Control

The rest of the railroad administrative
system apparently will continue similarly
unaffected by the change in dictatorship.
For Mr.. Hines. bearing out the recon-
mendation of his former chief, makes it
Enthusiastically clear that he is heart and
soul for either five-year Federal con-
troll of the roads or else the most ex-
peditious possible return of the prop
critics to private ownership and opera
ton. And he takes over all the other
McAdoo policies with like cordialitv and
unabridgment.
"From the first day of government con-
troll of the railroads | have been a part of
Mr.. McAdoo's administration he says in
an initial statement to the public "and it
viii be my purpose, as Director General, to
carry forward the policies he has so ably
put into effect--fidelity to the public inter
est. square deal for labor. with not only
an ungrudging but a sincere and cordial
recognition of its partnership in the rail
New-York tribune., 1919-01-19

ald,' championing the same programme,
says:
1.-The plan suggested retains every ad-
vantage Of Federal operation and at the
same time preserves the best elements of
private management Under this plan
form of competition will endure which
promises benefits to the public in needed
extensions and improved service At the
same time the dangers Of great political
machine and railroad pork barrel are
eliminated, which in itself is public pro
lection"
And there are others swift to express
the same view. In fact, nearly every
where where a specific choice among the
several proposals has been ventured it
is the Railway Executives solution which
seems to find highest favor For the
most part, though the editorial inclina
tion is rather to defer final judgment
until the question has been more
thoroughly digested. That there will be
radical change in our railroad opera
ton. no matter what plan is ultimately
adopted, IS, of course, universally con-
ceded. That it will entail some new and
more farreaching method of regulation
than is at present provided by the inter
state commerce acts appears also to be
pretty we'll agreed. And, as THE
Springfield Republican, and THE Provi
dence Journal are both at considerable
pains to point out, the probabilities are
that it will, even at its most conserva-
tive exhibit a capitulation to the spirit of
liberalization which would before the
war, have been deemed almost impossi-
bic. But beyond this all is a mist and
runbling disputation.
In the interim, the Senate Inter-
state Commerce Commission at Wash
ington goes scrupulously forward in its
quest of further light on the subject, the
most important witnesses heard during
the week just passed being Robert w.
Woolley, former publicity manager with
the Wilson campaign committee, who
came forward to explain why he, alone
among the Interstate Commerce Commits
sioners, adhered to the view that the ma
tlon's transportation salvation lies
through acceptance of the McAdoo five
year control scheme and Clifford Thorne.
former State Railroad Commissioner of
iowa, who appeared as the representa-
tive of a group of Western and Middle
Presidents precedence over all rail laws
New-York tribune., 1919-01-19

Tn AVE the Allied governments a
Russian policy? If so, what
A IA is it? If they haven't why
haven't they? Are they going
to adopt one? If so, what will it be
like?
In the midst of the camors for
more clearness and decision in matters
Russian the publication of the diplo-
matte exchanges between the British
and French governments on the subject
of Russian representation at the peace
conference came like the explosion of a
bomb. 1t suddenly appeared that the
British government had made a pro-
posal of a definite nature regarding
Russia, and that the proposal was cate
gorically rejected by the French gov
ernment
How "L'Humante," the official organ
Of the French Socialist party, happened
to come into the possession Of the text
of Foreign Minister Pichons reply to
Lloyd Georges communication is, at the
time of writing, a mystery
According to the text printed in
"L'Humante" the note of the French
Foreign Minister to the British govern
ment started out with summing ur the
proposal rendered by Lloyd George to the
French, Italian American and Japanese
governments. The proposal eliminated in
d message to be sent to the government of
the Soviet Republic at Moscow, and the
governments Of Admiral Kochak at
Omsk; General Dcnikine, at Ekaterino-
dar; Nicholas Tschaikovsky, at Archangcl
and "also to all the other governments
constituted by the different Russian ma
tionalities," asking them to cease hostil
ties for the duration Of the peace con
ference and-shoud such truce be
brought aboutto send delegates to the
peace conference. After this summary.
N. Pichon's note proceeded az follows:
while rendering full homage to the gen
erons spirit Of universal reconciliation with
which the Britsh government was insured
IN making this proposition, the French gov
crnmcnt IL unable TO give its approval to
such suKgestion, which fails TO take into
account the principles which have not
ceased 20 dominate its policy and ihnt Of
tn" powers ~ RUSSIA
he criminal regime Of tho Bols hcyiAf.
New-York tribune., 1919-01-19
A NafiOn= Wide
Town Meeting

During the coming week it is expected
that representatives of the state rail
road commissions and the National As.
sociation of the Owners of Railroad So.
curities will appear before the Senate
Interstate Commerce Committee. In ca
far, however, as the former intend to
protest against the drastic curtailmen+
of their functions proposed by both the
Federal Interstate Commerce Commits.
sion and the Railway Executives while
the security owners have already OK.
pressed themselves as opposed to the
plans formulated by the Railway Ex.
ecutives, it seems scarcely probable thai
the testimony of these groups will tend
to simplify matters much And when
they are through, Mr.. Hines is scheduled
to present in detail his arguments in
favor of government control until 1924.
In the midst of the whole tangled stu.
alton the thing which would appear
clearest of all is the seemingly inevitable
Illustration of Mr.. McAdoos expressed
hope that the railroad problem he "kept
out of politics"
'The Boston Globe declares that the
entire nation is conducting huge town
meeting" on the subject of railroads
and that we are in but the beginning
stages. The real test, this paper in COM
mon with most others, believes will come
in the 1920 election. In fact, far from
being kept out of politics." the con
sensus of opinion just now seems to be
that the railroads will furnish the DOM
inant issue of the coming campaign, with
a thorough and constant airing of all
phases of this problem right up to the
hour when the ballots begin dropping
New-York tribune., 1919-01-19

q BRAND NEW name has burst
~ into the front page headlines
Walker D. Hines, Director Cen
eral of Railroads. The appoint
ment was cabled from Paris by Presi-
dent Wilson, and announced by the out
going Director General, Mr.. McAdoo
upon the latter's arrival in Los Angeles.
In introducing his successor to the trav-
cling public, the now ex-Director Gen
eral said:
ASIDE from his rDvious qualifications,
Mr.. Hines is in full sympathy with the poll
cics which have guided the views of the
President on the railroad question"
Although comparatively unknown to
the general public, Mr.. Hines has been
serving with the railroad administra-
ton from its start as first assistant and
general right-hand man to Mr.. McAdoo.
For his services he has been receiving
$4,000 a year. Mr. McAdoo acted with
out recompense as Director General, but
his successor will continue to draw the
same salary that was paid to him as first
assistant
New-York tribune., 1919-01-19
Russia Is Still an Uncracked Nut

which does not represent in any degree that
of democratic government or furnish any
possibility whatever of developing into q
government since it is supported solely bv
the lowest passions of anarchical oppres-
sion, in negation of all the principles of
public and private right, cannot claim to be
recognized as regular government.
"lf the Allies were weak or imprudcnt
enough to act thus they would give the lie,
IN the first place, to the principles Of JUS
tice and right which constitute their force
and honor, and would give to the Bolshcvist
propaganda in the outside world a power
and extension to which they would run the
risk Of being the first victims. The French
government, so far as it is concerned will
make no contract with crime
"By agreeing to recognize the Bolshcyist
government we should give the lie to the
polcy-which the Allies have not ceased to
sustain in agreement of furnishing ut all
accessible points of Russia all the aid and
succor possible to give to the healthy. hon
est, faithful elements of Russia in order to
help them escape from the bloody and dis
orderly tyranny Of the Bolshcviki and to re-
constitute regular government by them
Selves"
M. Pichon then added that the French
government would not deny the Russian
regional governments, other than the
Soviet Republic, admission to the peace
conference, and concluded:
We shall continue rcsolutely to refuse
1t (mcaning the Bolshcvik govcrnmcnt1 anv
recognition, and to treat it as an cncmv. "
The publication Of this note bv the
Socialist organ created profound sem
satlon. Commenting on it editorialIv.
"L'Ilumanite" strongly denounced Pi
chon's stand, and expressed approval of
Lloyd Georges suggestion.
AS "Thc New York World" reports
from Paris, "thc brusquc character Of
Minister Pichon's reply gave to Premier
Clemenccau's Socialist opponents ma
tcria for fierce criticism" Under the
headline Franco English Disagree
ment "Llumanit6' said cditoriallv:
"England gives on this occasion new proof
OF the surcncss of her political sense, her
spirit Of intelligent compromise and her
carc Of the future of Europe
mister Pichon offers TO the British
r''''FH once the brutal refusal of the
worst of the veactionarics in France. He
places our country IN Il mott painful posi-
Voh, daring ~ the friVoity OF his heart to
New-York tribune., 1919-01-19
The New Director General of Railroads Agrees
With Mr.. McAdoo About Five Years of Govern
ment Control-But Some Others DISAGREE

ting higher operating costs the new Dl-
rector General may be expected to make
better financial returns for the railroads in
the current year than was possible for his
predecessor to make when war conditions
threw the whole railroad situation out of
the normal"
Perhaps the strongest Endorsement of
all for the new man is that advanced by
the Administration paper "The New
York World" which, however, is not
without reservation:
The retiring Director General has dem
onstrated fitness for that snost difficult
post which is everywhere recognized. His
judgment in choosing successor will com
mand confidence no less general, even
though in this case as in his own, there
may be disposition to subject final iudg-
ment to the test Of experience"
Meanwhile, despite Mr.. Illness atti-
tude, the Administrations fve-year con-
troll project seems doomed, as through
out the country opposition to the Nc
Adoo solution more and more appreci-
AMY CIESldlllZcS ana SlllcnS. ne lnl-
cago Daily News" "lhe Louisville Cou-
rier-Journal." "The Buffalo Express" and
many other papers during the last week
called particular attention to the fact
that, though the programmes advanced
by the Interstate Commerce Commits
sion and the Association of Railway
Executives differed at vital points, the
two bodies were a unit in their expert
condemnation of the arrangement for
which Mr.. Hines has become sponsor.
New-York tribune., 1919-01-19

you should find yourself obliged to with
draw from public life"
When, after discussion of the larger IS
sue his leaving has raised, the press
came to consideration Of Mr. Gregory's
personal record in office, there was every
disposition apparent to give him credit
for all he has accomplished. The terms
of eulogy, however, were scarcely so ful-
some as those employed by Mr. Wilson.
In some cases there were even stringent
criticisms voiced. To quote "The Bati-
more American" again
"There can be no doubt Of his Mr..
Gregory's) loyalty, no doubt that he had
a fixed purpose to punish dsloyalty wher-
ever it manifested Itself but in the en-
ployment of some OF his secret service
agents he did not always show good judg
ment and threw his office and himself open
to pretty severe criticism Praise must bs
given him for most of his war work, and
it is pity there were any defects IN st
lie is not, the same paper sums up. in
any sense man of marked ability, and
concludes:
"In fact, the President seems to prefer
men of the mediocre type and prefers -
run the whole business himself With
such men as he has chosen he is bound
to stand out as the central figure. almost rs
a giant among pygmies."
New-York tribune., 1919-01-19

Coupling Mr.. Gregory with Mr.. Nc
Adoo in its discussion of this same phase
of the resignation, "The New York Even
ing Sun" says:
Both have sought to retire. that they
may increase their incomes. Neither. evil
IDENTIFY, finds sufficient compensation in
the meagre salary of Cabinet officer in
an Administration drawing toward its fag
end with no brilliant prospects to urge
continuance"
In this connection, papers everywhere.
although generally refraining from com
ment, emphasize the point that Mr.. Greg
ory is the fifth member of the Wilson
Cabinet to hand in his resignation his
New-York tribune., 1919-01-19

could be no more effective stimulus to
world Bolshevism than this"
The Daily News" took the opposed
attitude, according to dispatch to "Thc
New York Times:
"'The Daily News regrets that Pichon re-
Jected the British proposal. 1t regards an
invitation to the Boshevki to come to
Paris as definite and hopeful, constructive
step, and the opposition of the French gov
ernmcnt as unfortunate. 1t says the author
lty of the Bolshevst government not only
Is being established, but is increasing, and
the one way to increase it further is to
adopt an attitude of uncompromising hostil-
ity to it,"
In spite of the assurances that Lon
don was in substantial agreement with
Pichon's reply, there are indications
that the British government will not
give up the policy suggested by Llovd
Georges communication without at
tempting to convince the associated
powers of its advantages.
The attitude of the United States
government in relation to the questions
raised by Lloyd Georges proposal is far
from clear. One thing is certain: that
Lloyd Georges note was transmitted to
the State Department by the British
Embassy at Washington simultaneously
with its handing over at the Quai
d'Orsay
The note, as Acting Secretary of
State Polk explained in statement ON
January -, was not forwarded from
here to the American peace mission at
Paris, as it was assumed that "a similar
proposal would be presented" there. Mr..
POLK also declared that NJ Pichon's re-
ply was not communicated to Washinp-
ton, but this was as far as he woul1 co
On the other hand. the American
newspapers were not reserved in their
comment. On one point there seems to
he substantial agreement: that the nuh-
ilcation of the Pichon note did mucb
toward relieving an unenduroble tom
SION, born Of uncertainty; that it hclpcd
to clear up the situation. The cx
changes between the Paris and London
foreign Offices showed, at least. that
some action was being considered in re-
IatIon to Russia. This satisfaction that
anything definite happened at all was
New-York tribune., 1919-01-19

dispatches mentioned that Mr.. Gregorys
friends have for some time been aware of
has intention in this respect. His own
letter to the President makes it clear that
before departing for Europe the latter
was apprised of the course the Attorney
General had determined upon Comment
ing on this, The Baltimore American"
says:
"No doubt other causes than those cited
by the Attorney General had something to
do with his determinations HIS conduct
of his office has been under fire both in
and out of Congress, particularly some of
the methods employed by him in recent
prosecutions"
New-York tribune., 1919-01-19

be annulled, that the railroad admins.
tration be compelled to pay final Judo
ments against the roads and that the
suspension power of the Interstate Com.
merce Commission be restored.
simultaneously ex-Secretary of Stats
William J. Bryan emerged from his So.
clusion.' as The Philadelphia Inquirer
put it, to suggest that the government
purchase and operate great trunk line
system which should penetrate into every
state, at the same time allowing the other
lines to revert to private operation. The
notion did not, however, evoke any per.
ceptible response
New-York tribune., 1919-01-19

something of a twelve pound look in his
eye:
"The English and French pay their Cab
met officers more generously than we
do; and while it is of course true that
Cabinet officer knows in advance precisely
what he is getting into. the experience of
pecuniary embarrassment is considerably
more distressing than any provision Of it.
Is it sound policy to subject Cabinet Of
ficers to that experience and lose them just
when they have become most effcctve?N
The suggestion that other causes than
merely monetary ones have actuated the
outgoing Attorney General in making his
decision is not, however, wanting. News
New-York tribune., 1919-01-19

predecessor, now Supreme Court Justice
McReynolds, and former Secretaries
Bryan, Garrison and McAdoo having all
withdrawn from the Administration in
this manner
President Wilson, in accepting this
latest resignation, said:
There has been no one with whom
have been associated in Washington whom
| have learned more to trust nor to
whose counsels [ have attached more value
and Importance Your administration Of
your office has been singularly able and
singularly conscientious and watchful of
the public interest, and I feel that it is
very serious loss indeed to the nation that