Omaha daily bee., 1919-05-17
Who Would Be Free
From the New York Times.

There begins to be the ssmblance of gov
eminent in Russia. The Kolchak movement
furnished the nucleus around which has grown
all that is practical and enforceable in the move
n,ent for q real Russia as against the dismal
tyranny which minority set up after the over
throw of the helter-skelter government Of Ker-
ensky. That was better than bolshevism, but
it was hardly more representative of all Russia
than boshevism. The difference is that it was
not tyranny not despotisn. not an autocracy.
All this time there have been innumerable
Russians crushed under the tyranny, yet, in
their disorganization and helplessness, seeing
no way out
At first their hope was in the allies, and there
is no doubt that If we had gone to their as
sistance as we should have done the period Of
agony for Russia would have been shortened
Ambassador Bakhmeteff pleaded with US; Col
onel Botchkareva of the women's Russian
regiment came here to rouse our sentiment;
Grandmother Breshkovsky has been here try
ing to rouse what remains of sensible radicalism;
and all in vain. There were innumerable Others
But we hesitated, and perhaps the British hesi-
tated; we know that the French and Japanese
did not hesitate. The time went by when
outside assistance could have saved Russia.
Finally she rose of herself She had been
deprived of the assistance of the Czecho-
Sovaks; but resolute men in Siberia raised the
banner of rebellion and from all over Russia
men flocked to Kolchak's flag. 1t is nominally
Siberian, really an all Russian army that he
leads on his now triumphal march. His steady
sweep Westward has made it plain that Russia
has become capable of striking the blow neces-
sary for her redemption They who would be
free" as Byron saw and said themselves must
strike the blow These words are as true
Of Russia today as they were of Greece, or any
other country. grooming under the heel of
despotism. Finding themselves left to their
own rescxrces, the Russians came to their own
rescue and floated their own banner.
had captured the last place where the bolsheviki
more important, the Archangel government has
recognized the supreme authority Of the Omsk
government as the provisional national govern
ment of all Russia. That completes the political
liaisonn between Siberia and Archangel There
has always been military understanding be-
tween Omsk, and the Cossacks Of the Don and
Denikine. This laison has been completed, and
from the Don and Orenburg to the region
about Samara Kochak commands the forces
opposed to bolshevism in Siberia and southern
Russia. The Archange recognition extends
the agreement to northern Russia.
In other words, all of Russia that is
opposed to bolshevism Is now united from
the Arctic to the Don and FROM Samara
to Vladivostok. Russia, thrown back on her
own Devices is working out her own sal
walton. We Americans may regret that our
helping hand was not extended to them at
time when it was needed may regret the blood
that flowed in consequence of that hesitation;
but perhaps it is best after ALL 1t is better that
nation should work out its own salvation
than that it should have it won by alien hands