Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1919-01-29
SENATOR JOHNSON
DISCUSSES RUSSIA
Calls Again for Immediate
Withdrawal of American
Soldiers.
SCORES PEACE DELAY

Another demand for immediate with
drawal of American troops from Rus
sia was made in the Senate today by
Senator Johnson of California, in an
address vigorous,y criticisins the Rus
sian course of the United States and
the allies.
Called Wicked and Useless.
Military activities in Russia were
denounced by Senator Johnson as
wicked and useless" and a criminal
policy of intervention" which had
helped hold the bolsheviki in power
while starving the Russian people.
Declaring again that America has
no policy in Russia, Senator johnson
added:
I'VE have engaged in miserable
misadventure. stultifying our profes-
sions (of friendship for the Russians)
and setting at naught our promises.
We .. suffer the odium and infamy
of undecIared warfare.
Peace Delay Criticised.
Senator johnson spoke in behalf OF
his resolution proposing that the SEN
ate declare itself in favor of recalling
the American expeditionary force In
Russia. He also criticised delay in
the peace negotiations. and declared
anew for an American policy TO orlng
home all American troops from Tor
eign soil at the earliest possible mo-
ment, warmly opposing their use 10
maintain stability of or peace IN Eu-
ropean countries.
Bring home American soldiers"
said the California senator. Re
sume our own democracy Restore
its free expression. Get American
i business into normal channels. Let
American life, social and economic, be
American again
Russ Proposal Scored.
The Paris agreement calling for
the meeting of Russian factions was
criticised by the senator, who said:
I'VE are wholly in the dari. as to
what Is contemplated when all parties
meet on an almost uncharted is
land, but we are becoming ac-
customed to the open diplomacy which
in daily communicates with few words
spirits OF the democratic peoples OF
the, world"
senator johnson declared he would
not subscribe to the sentiment recent
ly expressed by Minority Leader Lodge
for alleged use OF American troops to
aid in setting up and mafnt7ining in
depeHdknt countries in Europe.
would not shed the blood of
Amerfc4u boys said Mr.. johnson, in
the internal disturbances of Esthonia,
Lavonia. etc. will not concede that
1t Is the duty of the republic to main
SI1s Ivru lou M
state"
Kind Of League He Favors.
Senator johnson. discussing the
league OF nations, Nsaid. that if the
President can return with a
league; OF nations which does not re-
Hnquish our sovereignty and which
in reality viii be a preventive of fu-
tureswars, shall welcome most glad
ly. and enthusiastically this great ac-
complishment.n
Discussing other questions in the
peace Conference, Senator johnson
suggested that the European nations
some by secret treaties which will be
erforced-already are likely to thwart
the aitruistic purposes expressed by
President Wilson in his fourteen prfnci-
pIes.
Because of prior agreement among
the co-belligerents," said Mr.. john
$OU. tu6 lCedilSn Oh the fISSlQSnI Is
likely to be severely taxed The IRON
clad prior understandings of our al
lies have 1essened his labors.
The Presidents first point for open
diplomacy, Senator Johnson said, also
has been largely ignored, while the
Presidents second point regarding
freedom of the seas. he added, has
been lost, for considerable period
| now in historical mystery and rests
, in Oblivion with the unrealized dreams
rf he Abound nf
The third. fourth and fifth points of
the President, Mr.. johnson continued,
: on removal of economic barriers, re-
duction OF armamentS and impartial
adjustment of colonial claims, "appar-
emily have been submerged in weight
Ter questions and no longer agitate
the overburdened minds of statesmen"
Discusses Territorial Questions.
Regarding territorial adjustments
Senator Johnson said:
''The difficulty of the President in
interpreting his peace points .
Is that long ago England. France and
Italy reached their conclusions and the
President is up against the contracts,
signed sealed and delivered and in the
pockets Of the allies.
sThe secret treaties - 1 feel sure
are deemed effective, nor can 1 doubt
that the territory they embrace will
be divided in accordance with their
provisions"
II the. President can cause these
secret treaties to be disregarded and
compel the altruistic peace of which
he has so often spoken" Senator
Johnson said, il will be the greatest
achievement of any statesman of any
time"
Turning TO the Russian question,
Senator Johnson said the principle of
self-determination has fallen by the
wayside-" He cited the questions pre-
sented to the associated nations last
March by the Soviet government and
refusal of this government or the al
lies to give an answer.
Weak and. vacillating and stupid
has been our policy with Russia" the
senator said. I'VE solemnly promised
we would not intervene. and then,
prating of our love for the Russian
people, we did intervene. Prating
about guarding stores at Archangel,
we advanced 103 miles from that port,
burned little Russian towns and up
set little soviet governments. In the
name of protecting military sup
plies we shot down Russian
peasants and our boys are shot down
by them"
Called Fanatic Doctrine"