New-York tribune., 1919-04-18
Feeding Bolshevism

OF all the extraordinary developments
% Russian policy the most extraord-
nary, surprising even prinkipo, is the
feeding of the Bolsheviki
Before examining it let US first con
slider the iustiications put forward.
The policy, it is said. merely extends to
starving Russia. for similar humani-
tartan reasons, the relief given to the
civilians of Belgium when under Ger
man rule. Instead Of similarity of con-
ditions, there is marked dissimiarity
In Belgium the central fact of the ar
rangement the sine q3io non of making
It, was assurance that the supplies
would reach Germany's victims Elabo-
rate machinery safeguarded against
Germans sitting down at the feast. This
was possible. The Germans wore uni
forms, and were set apart by language
and appearance. In Belgium were
municipal governments, manned by Bel
gians whose good faith was undoubted
In Bolshevk Russia is no foreign
army The Bolsheviki are native and
mingled with the general population No
Bolshevik municipal government is
allowed to exist. A Red Guardsman,
changing his clothes to gain admittance
to soup kitchen, Will look and talk as
another Russian. The better clements,
which there is special desire to save, are
reduced to abject misery and are not
distinguishable from the Leninites. The
l.
and when their stomachs are filled may
De expected to say: Papa Lenine is
right. l don't work. yet | live in COM
tort
Furthermore. the relief although at
American expense, is not to be in the
hands of American agents, but through
Fridtjof Nansen and other citizens of
Scandinavia and Switzerland Will they
be able TO discriminate between noxious
and innocuous Russians, between the
victims and the vctimizers? Russia is
not country like Belgium, but sprawls
over a continent, and the Nansen BAN
quet will be for all comers.
When Poland raised her hands in ap-
peal the world did not dare respond
because it was known Germans, not
Poles. would consume ,he grain. The
criminal Bolshevki. who have not
scrupled about taking the last morse
from peaceablc Russians, will by craft
or force continue their ruthless prac-
1ices. Not the we'll disposed Will America
nourish, but the i'll disposed.
Ryr condition ot+ooLo,i 10 4l.
feedng-namely, that the Bolsheviki
cease fighting. If one condition can be
laid down so can another The Boil
shevlki could be required to agree to the
holding of a free election with the con-
troll passing to the agents of the ma
jority. But this is Aot asked
The President once loudly asked Ger
many to change her representatives. He
drew sharp distinction between gov
eminent and people, and refused a par
ley until there was satisfactory evidence
that the German spokesmen were chosen
ny the German people. The evidence
that the Kaiser represented Germany
was much stronger than is the evidence
mat Lenlne represents Russia. Yet, de-
Ginning to do business with one open
enemy Of democracy, we now give evil
dent recognition to more rabd and
less disguised autocracy.
10 feed the BolsheviN means in all
likelihood, proongation of their power
and prolongation Of their power will
empty more mouths than we can hope to
M Famine viii intensity until the
1afn'ne-makng incubus is lifted. No
more temporary crises are to be brideed
over Inc world has on its hands not
case Of influenza but Of tuberculosis
Russia IN 1919, the last wear as To
"''cn there Is information, produced
nearly 5000 ,0000 900 bushels Of cereals
was by far the worlds greatest food
\ s'' during the war, her export
~ 'u' on, she accumulated a large
@s'''"8. IL is gone, and not enough ig
'e"'F raised 70 supply needs. That
'''e S'''feage IN European Russia is due
- separation from Siberia il Dol-
SneVIk falsehood, for Siberia in 1919
hafvested but $4,000 bnsbcla of ,ra;n
"n.y per cent of Russia's total.
ne peasant WON'T 2ow because not
e"fe oi the fruit If his labor. He feeds
,.'''7e'' ana ms family, but he. cares not
'"' Ta'ue'esE rabies. Millions If Rna.
s'an acres are untitled Russia u,arv.-
t'os. IS the consequence Of Bolsheviaro and
nothing else. "A long as Boshev;sro
continues conditions may be expected to
grow ~orse. Lcnine IL in the grip Of in.
ezefable economic lawa-vainly corohato