The sun., 1919-02-03
Are the Bolsheylk Armies Answer
ing the Supreme Council?

Ing the supreme NOuhcu.
It was on January 90 that the
Supreme Council OF the Congress Of
Paris made public in its official COM
munication the facts that the proposal
OF President WILSON concerning Russia
had been approved and an invitation
had been issued for IL conference OF
The various factions in Russia with
representatives of the Powers partici-
rating in the Peace Conference. This
invitation was sent out by wireless at
O'Clock on the morning Of January
%, and read as follows:
"They 1.-THE representatives OF the
allied and associated Powe-s] invite
every organized group that is now exer-
cising or attempting to exercise political
authority or military control anywhere
in Siberia, or within the boundaries Of
European Russia as they stood before
the war just concluded. except in Fin
land, to send representatives. not ex-
ceeding three representatives for each
group, to Princes Islands, Sea OF Mar
mora, where they will be met by repre-
sentatives OF the associated Powers. pro-
Nided In the meantime there Is truce
of arms among the parties invited, and
that all armed forces anyW acre sent or
directed against any people or territory
inside the boundaries of European Russia
as they stood before the war. OF against
Finland. or against any people or terri
tory whose autonomous action is In con-
temptation in the fourteen articles upon
which the present ncgoda tons are based.
shall be meanwhile withdrawn and ag-
srsssive military actions cease.
THESE representatives are invited to
confer with the representatives OF the
associated Powers in the freest and
frankest way, with a view to ascertain
ing the wishes OF all sections OF the
1,ussian people. and bringing about. II
POSSIBLE, some understanding and egree-
nent by which Russia may work out her
own purposes, and happy, cooperative re-
lations be established between her people
and the other peoples OF the world
"A prompt reply to this invitation is
requested"
The world out side OF Russia re-
ceived the announcement OF this pro-
ceeding without enthusiasm and gave
10 1t not Endorsement but tolerance,
because of the source from which Il
CAME. The Spokesman OF the Russian
factions opposed to the Bolsheviki de,
nounced 1t as a betrayal Of freedom
and a recognition of anarchists.
The world in general suspended tudg.
taken by the Supreme Council and
awaited the answer of the Bosheviki.
1t will re observed that the invita-.
ton contemplated "a truce OF arms
among the parties invited" and that all
armed forces anywhere sent or di.
rected against any people or territory
in the great area involved should
he Immediately Withdrawn. and that
aggressive military action should
cease. THESE provisions were rega r,iesl
as of the utmost consequence. and
it was asserted in Paris that "the sin
certify Of the Sovlets will be tested by
the condition requiring the cessation
Of hostllities"
II the Bolsheyiki are to be tested by
this condition laid down in the invita-
ton their answer may already have
been given. The news from Archange
under date Of February l records
another violent attack by the
Bolsheyiki on the American. Russian
and British positions" and the with
drawal OF the allied troops on Thurs
day. On February the Bolshevik
were heavily Smelling the new Amer
lean position on the Vaga River"
II IS apparent that the Bolshevik
have had ample time to order theil
military commanders to cease opera
tions II they were so disposed. This
invitation. with all its conditions. wa.
'tA'l' liI'lil bAl -. DtN
are alleged to have been prepared fol
il by indirect communication between
NJ. LITyINoFT, the Bo!shcy!k agent II
London, and Mr.. LLOYD GEORGE.
Consequently, the attitude OF tn,
Bolsheviki toward this invitation ma,
be gathered from the conduct Of tn,
Bolsheyik army. II this continues IL
operations, the Supreme Council vii
be obliged to consider the situatio,
thus created and devise anothe
method OF dealing with the Russia,
problem.
Thus The hostile operations con
tinuously in progress in Archangp
province have political significanc
Of supreme Importance. In them tn
5soishsviki have achieved considsrahl
-