New-York tribune., 1919-01-13
u. IS Said to
Back Pichon's
Russian Stand
London "Excelsior'' De.
clares Britain Opposes
Dealing With Bolsheviki

PARIS. Jan. 12.-Though France took
the initiative in refusing to deal with
the Russian Bolsheyik government, de-
clares "The Excelsior" the London and
Washington governments made it
known that they "agreed absolutely
with the French viewpoint"
WASHINGTON, Jan. 12.--Great Brit
aims proposal that the Allies and the
United States enter into negotiations
with all Russian factions. referred to
at~Paris yesterday by Foreign Minister
Pichon, with an emphatic statement
that France would not deal in any way
with "the criminal regime of the Boil
sheviki," was transmitted to the State
Department here on January by the
British embassy. -,
1t was not sent to the American peace
delegation because State Department
officials assumed it would be delivered
directly at Paris, but since it now ap-
pears this was not done, it will be for
warded at once. SIS
Secretary Polk Explains
Acting Secretary Polk disclosed this
to-day, correcting statement he had
made yesterday when NJ. Pichon's
action was brought to his attention. Mr..
Polk issued this statement:
"On January 8, the State Depart
ment received from the British
CHARGE q
that the Allies and the United States
call on all the factions in Russia to
suspend hostilities pending the peace
negotiations and that the aforesaid
governments and Barties will imme-
dlately suspend hostilities on all
fronts for the duration of the peace
negotiations. even if thew. or any of
them, should desire TO send REPRE-
sentatives to Paris. to discuss with
the great powers conditions IF per-
manent settlement, the
1reat powers would be prepared
10 enter on SUCH Il discussion with
them.
This message was not forwarded
10 Paris at that time, as it was eX-
~pected that similar proposal. would
be presented at Paris, in view of the
TACT that the Russian question was
one OF the subjects for immediate
attention tnere- 1t would SEEM, how
ever. from the reports in the news
papers, that no such proposal was
presented to the American peace mis-
sion in Paris.
"The question was asked me. as
understood it. by a newspaper man
yesterday afternoon as to whether
proposal had been made to have dele
gates from the Bolsheviks attend the
peace conference and reference was
made to Mr.. Pichon's statement. Not
having seen Mr.. Pichon's statement,
| did not connect the question with
the proposal referred to in the mem
orandum' from the British charge,
which had been received By the de-
partment, and |, therefore. replied
that no such proposal had been re-
ceNec. wish to assume full re-
spensibility for the misunderstand-
ing"
No Official Comment
No one in Washington is prepared
to state what may be the attitude OF
President Wilson and the American
delegation toward the British. sueges-
ton. 1t is recalled everywhere, how
ever. that the United States virtually
las declared the Bolsheviki outlaws by
calling upon the civilized world to ioin
IN scendemniEg their reign of terror in
Russa.
Where Mr.. Folk refers to the British
proposition as an offer on the part of
the Great Powers to enter into dis
cussion with the Russian representa-
NJ. Pichon said specifically that the Ero-
posal was to permit the sending Of dele
gates to tho peace conference upon the
conditions named