Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-12-27

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at will.
Such Is the extraordinary tale that is
| whispered here in circles that ought TO
know what they are talking about. How
much of IL is true, and how much Is
exaggeration2 These are questions I do
not venture TO decide. but that cou
tribute further elements of uncertainty
and apprehension to situation that is
already sufficiently confused.
There is evidence proving that Bella
Kun's prolonged immunity from inter
vention and maintenance in power was
principally due to concessions offered by
him in the Banat. one of the richest
undeveloped regions of Europe. By the
lure of gold, zinc, lead and coal mines
this astute adventurer succeeded in pro
tecting himself for time against the
advance of the Rumanian aud allied
troops, aud il remains Il miracle that
during this long period of hesitation
Czccho- Slovakia and German Austria
did not become the prey Of Hungarian
bolshevism.
The principle of national sclfdctcr-
mination. so strictly adhered to in this
instance by the Paris conference, served
but the interests Of spectators and
gravcly endangered all southeastern Eu-
rope, threatening even to open tho gates
Cannot Trust Soviet
All the information received hero from
reliable sources tends to prove that it
would be folly TO place any confidence
in the stories now circulated by the Bo)
shevists that they are willing to convokc
a national assembly aud constitute II
coalition government and even that
Leninr and other Red chiefs are ready
to resign. This is but another subtle
maneuvcr 80 blind aud confuse public
opinion in democratic countries.
A short time ago Serge Persky, the
we'll known Russian anti BolShevlst
writer in Switzerland, who is reputcd to
be a son of Maxim Gorky. was ap'
preached on this subject by ono of lie
ninc's secret emissarics. The following
curious conversation CnSued:
1--WE wish the Entente to act as a
mediator between us and tho other Rus
sian political parties said the ennis
Sary. and we want you to help us.
what do you expect me TO do?.
1T is necessary that the idea should
be launched in the bourgeois neutral
press by a writer of rcpute. If It is ia
vorably received, it will be easier TO be.
gin the negotiations. DO not forget that
thousands of people who are at present
languishing in our prisons and dying
daily of terrible diseases will be restored
to life and liberty if we can come to an
agreement with the Entente.
Admits Reign of Terror
"Rcmembcr that the reign of terror,
whose victims are today innumcrablc,
will suddenly cease and that Russia will
breathe again. Surely you also, like all
of us. desire the end of terrorismE'
"What do the Bolshevists demand in
return for the concessions they are will
ing to makeF'
Every little. There have been diff
fcronces of orGnion for some time
among our foremost leaders. Some Of
them arc willing to resign and give up
their places to others who will form part
of the coalition cabinet. They would
like TO leave Russia and desire a safe
conduct for themselves and their fam
lilies. -
(Which are these chiefs who are will
ing to reSign?'
II don't know. There are several of
them"
care Lcnine. Trotsky. Zinovicff. lu
nacharsky and Dierjinsky among
them"
II don't know. Perhaps. Some of
them. I believe
III | agree, what would my 'lhe ot
action be;
ITS very simple. Just a'tcW ar
ticIes in important newspapers-arS'cleSS
showing the necessity OF cohclIiatioh auu
reace. which would terminate civil war
in Russia, liberate thousands of miser-
able prisoners. restore tranquility and
prosperity.
porsl,,. Srur,s Ro,sbey;sts