Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1919-04-10

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THURSDAY EVENING, APRIL 10, 1919.
THE RUSSIAN MYSTERY
The contradictory reports concerning Russian affairs
which have been made by men of some eminence have
left many people in the state Of hopeless confusion on the
entire subject. On one hand We have the testimony OF
former Ambassador Francis to the effect that the Soviet
government in Russia is not really a government at all
IN the common understanding of the term, and that its
recognition by the civilized nations would lead to unut-
terable disaster. On the other hand we have the state
nlent of Col Raymond Robins, formerly connected with
the Red Cross. to the exact contrary, and his urgent rec
ommendation that the Soviet government be recognized
at once.
There are certain considerations which aid men in
the formation Of judgment even in the absence of exact
Information, and while the judgments thus formed are not
to be relied upon implicitly, they are nevertheless of some
value. In the case of Russia, aside from the testimony
Of men like Mr.. Francis and Col. Robins we have some
knowledge of how the Bolshevik government originated
and what it represents, and we are warranted in FORM
ing at least tentative conclusions on the basis of this
knowledge. We know that the Kerensky government
which Immediately succeeded the overthrow of the au-
tccracy was reasonably representative in its character.
We know that it recognized itself to be not a permanent
but a provisional government, and we know that it had
taken steps for the formulation of a constitution and the
creation Of a permanent government to be chosen by the
entire Russian people. We know that this government
government in these particulars, was suddenly overthrown
by the Bolshevik element which has since retained con-
troll We know that this element has proceeded in a man
ner entirely different to that of the Kerensky government
in that it has taken no steps whatever to organize the
Russian people into a great self-governing body, but that
on the contrary its control has been as arbitrary, as die
tatorial, and as irresponsible as was that Of the car. The
~ t.
ment in the sense that a democratic movement is repre-
sentative Of the entire body of people. It is avowedly to
be a movement for the control of all public affairs by a
particular group or class to the exclusion Of all other
classes and it denies to all other classes participation in
the government and protection, at the hands of the gov
eminent.
s# All of these matters are so thoroughly well known.
so utterly beyond dispute, that it is necessary merely to
refer to then. and any intelligent human being having
this knowlease~would take it for granted that the men
who had assumed for themselves the right to govern or
nnisgovern all others as they saw fit, as the Bolsheviki
have done, would carry out their program by acts of vio-
lence when violence happened to be their taste or thei:
apparent advantage. 1t is evident, therefore, that merely
on the basis Of common sense and common knowledge,
the testimony of MIR. Francis is more likely to be correct,
his conclusions better justified than those Of Col. Robins.
Aside from the probabilities of the case We haze
available positive testimony in the shape of an article re-
ceMUy pupl1Sned by professor Jerome B. Landfield. Prof,
Landfield qualities as a competent witness by reason 1T
the fact that he lived for years in Russia, became thor
oughiy familiar with the Russian language, and Russian
life; was professor of Russian and modern European his.
tory in the University Of California, and was subsequently
connected with the state department as an expert in Rus
sian affairs. In his article Prof. Landfield discusses the
Statements made by Raymond Robins in a manner which
sheds some light on the mystery which has arisen. He
points-out that Col. Robins had no Russian experience
previous to his brief sojourn in that country; that he was
there but a few months; that he was ignorant Of the Rus
stan language, and that his interpreter was a German
named Gumberg, a brother of one of the members of the
Bolshevik regime who was very close to Trotzky. Being
in Russia not as q student, but on a mission which de-
manded the prompt transaction of business he naturally
grayitated to the populous quarters. and sought out the
people there In immediate control who were in all cases
the sympathizersw with, and supporters of, Lenine, Trotzky,
and their faction. Whatever study he made of Russian
conditions was naturally made on the basis Of his imme-
diate surroundings, and it was impossible for him in the
very nature of things to obtain Information as to the
general condition Of the Russian people, uncolored by the
strong partisanship Of the man from whom he obtained
II. These men have naturally maintained that theirs was
~ lawful and orderly government, and insisted that it
should be recognized abroad. They have communicated
this view to Col. Robins. ana he has passed it on to the
American people. The opinions thus transmitted have
bean accepted with. eager and vociferous approval by the
Socislisf press Of the country which overlooks no oppor-
tnnity TO advertise the beauties Of Bolshevisn. but the
ayerase reader who really desires information rather than
tlse eonfirnation of his own opinions will do we'll to STUDY
80 probabilities of the case such as have been indicated.
ANA me re1atve weight to be given to the testimony OF
such@naen Is MI. Francis. who lived long enough n Rus
1f4as141easn something Of Its conditions; Prof. Landfie1d.
a8n G44nftted expert on Russian affairs, and Col, Robins
sSSNsANNe1 e4lys Information on the subject WAS obtained from
ssal91laalnstsd sources.