South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1920-09-12
Hope For RnSSiG~
MHe9- Weakness
NOtHer Strength
CBy Arthur II. Redo


For many decades Russia with
her vast population constituted a
constant source OF apprehension to
the nations Of Europe Russia's de-
sire for a warm water port and tha
means She might take 20 obtain l-
caused a fear 90 Turk ia the mirl.of
every head OF government. VIZ
Russia defeated Turkey IN 1s71-7s.
. was a concert OF powers that pre-
vented her from reapinE the fruits
Of her military victory because IS
would give her predominancc thar
was disturbing.
Great Britain feared FOR Indla.
though almost iusuperable barriers
would needs be surm0untCd before
Russia could really threaten that
country In fact. every great nation
OF Europe kept !ts eyes on Russia
because % was believed she had the
strength 10 accomplish anything sLe
might undertake. II was her euor-
nous man-power that constituted
the menace. Her upwards OF -og.-
100000 OF people was thought 90
be an ineNhaustible reservoir from
which 20 draw strength for her
armies
IL has been shown, however. that
much OF the fear that Russia lr-
spired was Eroundless. Japan -
years so demonstrated that Russia
had weaknesses that Slapped her SIC
tality. Her failure IN the Great war
was another Illustration that she
was much less TO be feared as an
enemy than had been suspected
Russia had and still has tho man
power. She has abundant unde-
veloped resources. But man-puwer
without Capability in guidance De-
fH
could put many men IN the field.
but men not properly equipped. mu-
nitioned and ratiOncd are ineffective.
Corruption I'm her government
wrought the ruin Of her cause. Her
authorities lacked honor. They en-
riChed themselves AT the expense n
their cOuntryS life
Russia need never have been
feared had those who dreaded her
power looked beneath the surface.
They should have seen that She
lacked I'm transportation. she lacked
the developed resources that enable
a nation 10 prosecute "A successful
war her authorities lacked honesty
She had potential force but 80
cheney in directing that force vas
wanting. That Russia today is
fleeing before the war-weary sol
dierS OF Poland shows that Russia
has not improved under the rule II
the bolsheViEts Its government
heads are still OF the INSCRIPTIONS
type that led the Russian armies 10
defeat in other conflicts.
That out o. the hundred and odd
millions the bolshevists are able 20
out in the field no greater armies
shows that they represent not the
aspirations Of the real Russian peO-
pie Were the heart Of Russia with
the bolshevists like the Poles stand
for their national restoration the
Russians would DE able 10 over
wheIm Poland by mere numbers
without making great use of the ina
plements Of war. Russia as a mill
tary power IS still weak because shs
is not capably led in a cause ip
which she has no zeal.
Yet Russia possesses potential
force that would be well-niCh ire
sistible were her millions unified IN
a cause and capably and honestly
directed If the time ever C0fA
when Russia secures an efficient
honest. upright and equitable gov
eminent. II il rises 20 the place
where its people enjoy the blessings
OF a just government under law. z
il progresses TO the point where i-s
population is lifted out OF ifs
veloped IN keeping with twentieth
century progress. then may Russia
be feared by any nation or coalition
that arouses her anger II il true
that her disordered state is now
menace and great one but men,
ace slight compared with what ~
would be did the bolshcvists repre-
sent more than "a small minority
OF the Russian people
Il is well. indeed. for CIVILIZATION
that the bOlsheyists are handicapped
by Russian inertness Were they
backed by the entire man-power ~
the former empire the outlook for
the world would he dark. J. IS wei
that the same influences that pre-
vailed 10 ueutralizc the power u
Russia in the wars in which she one
gagged operate now 20 stay the prog
ress OF barbarous doctrines that are
recognized as essentially Russian.
Russia's weakness despite her num-
bers may prove the safety ~ civil
iZafiOn.