New-York tribune., 1919-03-17
Millions Starving While
Statesmen Debate Prin-
ciples of World League
Help for Russia Sought
Wilson Accused of Taking
Away U. S. Ships Under
Call of ''Big Business
Ne.y York Tribune
EurOprCn Bureau

Ne.y York Tribune
EurOpcun BureGu
Copyright lol9 New York Tribune 1nc.)
LONDON, March 16.-The worlds
greatest problem to-day is feeding
Europe. Everything else is of second
ary Importance. This fact is borne out
by reports from all Independent in
vestigators and admitted by statesmen
upon whom the responsibility rests.
British sentiment is crystalllzlng
against the blockade of Russia, but this
change of view must not be interpreted
as an acceptance of Bolshevik Methods.
Besides the humanitarian reasons for
helping millions of friends Of the Allies
who suffered when the Russians were
fighting tho Germans and now are
starving under Boshevik rule, there
are strong commercial arguments. AS
assemblies in support of the league of
nations are being organized all over
the country, so meetings of protest
against continuance of the blockade are
being arranged.
Incidentally, the largest of these,
that of the British Labor Congress.
called for April 8, when 1000 delegates
will assemble, will discuss amendments
to the league covenant and register its
views regarding the Russian problem.
Blockade Blamed for Chaos
Alexander Berkenheim, vice-presi-
dent of the Al-Russian Cooperative
Society, non-poltical organization,
with millions of members, who came
from Moscow to enlist aid on behalf of
the Russian consumer, has given ms
his views concerning the blockade. He
has been arrested five times. Once he
narrowly escaped a firing squad. SO
he has no love for the Bolsheviki, but
he nevertheless is convinced that the
blockade, above everything else, is re-
sponsible for the existing economic
chaos.
"The thoughts of every individual"
he said, "are centered upon obtaining
food for himself and his family.
feeling of enmity toward the Allies
Is developing, and the Bolsheviki are
exploiting this feeling.
"Continuance of the blockade renders
helpless a quite innocent population,
engenders a feeling of hostility toward
the Allies, and intensiies the disor
dered state of the country. Raising
Of the blockade alone can start restor
alton of normal conditions.
"Provisions delivered to the starving
people of Petrograd would do more to
all the vast sums spent in foolish
propaganda. This food could be dis
tributed through the cooperative So
cieties, which still remain independ-
ent of the Bolshcviki. The Russian
market also will fall into the lap of
those nations which Immediately
establish firm and durable relations
with Russia"
Under the heading "Great Famine in
Europe" the "New Statesman" blames
Mr.. Wilson and the United States, say
ing;
of the Associated Powers, including
America, was pooled and controlled by
an international council. Very shortly
after the armistice, Mr.. Wilson with
drew his representatives from the
council, took away the American ships
and released them to their private
owners for ordinary profitmaking
1t was a most unfortunate and short
sighted step. No plausible excuse
ever has been pleaded for it, and per-
haps the simplest explanation is the
truest-that the gigantic pressure of
Big Business in the United States
ministratiton. At any rate, American
tonnage was PROMPTLY diverted by its
owners to South America and other
lucrative routes, and Europe lost its
services just when they had most
need of them"
"The Saturday Review" says:
Famine stares Central Europe in
tn face, as months ago we predicted,
and famine means Bolshevism which
thrives on what kills human beings
1t is impossible to deny that Wilson
and his follower, Lloyd George, are in
some measure responsible for this ter
rible result Nearly three months
when every day was precious have
been wasted in settling the draft of
league of nations which could quite
we'll have awaited the settling of
peace with Germany and the raising
of the blockade. When we read of
whole nations starving we confess we
have little relish for Wilson's high
falutin periods about humanity"
Wilson Urged to Take Lead
Reviewing the work of Mr.. Wilson
at Paris, "The Nation" saws:
There is one immediate test which
we venture to assert is up to- him
that is to demand withdrawal of the
blockade and give to Central Europe
and Russia a chance to recover their
physical vitality and social order For
the testimony of American statesmen
on this vital issue has been clear from
the beginning. On November 18 Mr..
Hoover wrote these words, deliberately
suppressed in this country:
"'We are not worrying about the
Germans. They can take care of them
selves, If given the chance, Sbut the
watcrtight blockade has got to +,
abandoned.'
"Secretary Lansing now SAYS ditto
to Hoover. We urge Mr.. Wilson TO
demand of the allied governments the