New-York tribune., 1919-01-30
Russia Still
Big Obstacle at
Peace Board
Great Powers Anxiouslv
Wait Word on Invita-
ton to Hold Conference
New York Tribune
Special Cable Serr,ce

Copyright. 1919 New York Tribune Inc)
PARIS, Jan. 20. - The great powers
are awaiting anxiously official news
from Russia regarding their invitation
to Russian leaders to hold a conference
at Princes Islands.
Apparently the Russian question
must be reconsidered, unless the Boil
shevikl decide eventually to accepr the
invitation. The uncertainty of the
Russian question is extremely disturb
ing as it is vital to the success of the
whole conference. Though the p-eat
powers nave put Russia dawn among
business marked by progress" they
are far from assured that any real ad-
vance has been made.
British. French and American spokes
men insist that they have not Yecog-
nized the Bolsheviki, but the very fact
that they have to explain and defend
their action is decidedly embarrassing.
Gompers Opposes PAN
American labor, through Samuel
Gompers, characterizes the invitation
from the Bolshevki to revolutionary
bodies throughout the world to jon in
conference as an "attempt to under
mine civilization and place every OBJ
stacle in the path of progress; It is
reaction and destruction pure and sim
pie"
On the other hand, French extreme
Socialists, such as Jean Longuet. con-
slider the Bolsheviki right in their re.
ported refusal to go t. Princes ISL
ands. They hold that the Allies offer
was forced upon them by the revo-
lutionary Socialists in Europe" which
included all sections. 1t is interesting
to point out that at the Paris Social
lists meeting Lenine and Trotzky were
elected honorary vice presidents.
Wilson Not Understood
Generally however, French opinion is
unchanged. In fact it is fair to saw
that the action of the great powers
and unofficial comments from their
representatives stiffened rather than
eased the French. Bourtzeff puts the
case thus:
"The Bolsheviki did not understand
President Wilson. He failed to 'u,-
derstand them. Now they are begin
ming to understand each other and the
Russian situation is worse than eve~.
believe the only possibility of solv-
ing the problem is for the Allies to
send ammunition to Generals Denekin
and kraenotf, by way of CONSTANT
nople and Odessa.
The Princes Islands proposition is
doomed 10 certain failure. The Boil
sheviki are playing the Germans game
not because they favor the Germans.
but because in that direction they cx-
pect to make the most Roadway. The
Allies must intervene by sending mu-
nitions, and unless they can do so
promptly Russia will ruin many of the
conference plans
Poles Combating the Reds
Meanwhile the government is work
ing despe erately TO counteract Bolshc-
vik and German propaganda. Large
numbers of Bolsheviki have been i'm
prisoned at Warsaw and other centres.
The Paderewski government is labor
ing under the greatest difficulties. but
the people are railying to its support
IN a manner highly gratifying to the
Allies.
An appeal for recognition from the
Lithuanlans to President Wilson, re
ceived at the Qua d'Orsay, is an in
dication of desire for orderly forces
to help. in combating Bolshevik in
hucnces. As the opposition to the
Princes Islands scheme increases. in
tcrest in the Big Five's" choice of a
substitute plan mounts higher and
higher. Those who de eend the plan
fear for its success.
Who Pays the Cost of the War?
y. Barton Eephurn's dlaruss,on ~ tht.