New-York tribune., 1920-02-06

olutionary elcmehts-principall tho
party of Social Revolutionists- are
bitterly opposed to the Dolsheviki and
will extend the fight against them
throughout the whole of Russia. if that
be necessary. to force the abdication or
downfall Of the Bolsheviki.
The Bolsheviki were never weaker
politically with the Russian people than
they arc now, said Major Lasies, for
those political elements of both do
mestic and foreign nature which have
hitherto served to bolster up their
propaganda and claims to continued
power are virtually no longer in effect
What | have to say of Siberia" sand
Major Lasies, "is what General Graves,
commander of the American Expcdi-
ticnary Force; Mr.. Smith, the American
representative at Vladivostok, and par
tcularly Mr.. O'Relly, representative of
the British government at Fladivostok,
always have said They have stated
with great clarity, and in this am in
perfect agreement with them, that the
Allies have all to hope from Russia
free and democratic, and that they have
all to fear from a Russia reactionary
and oppressed. Between the two ex-
tremes of Bolsheviki and reactionarics
there is a great mass af gentle people.
peace, but who are firm in this: that
they will have none of the old regime,
either now or at any other time, and
wish only to organize and discipline
their revolution. They are more than
willing to assure the lives and goods of
strangers in Russia and to recognize
the just debts their country has in
Cured abroad
Masses Friends of Allies
'It is within this democratic mass
of the center that are found the true
friends of the Allies. Of these facts
General Graves. Mr. Smith, Mr..
O'Relly and my very distinguished
friend, DR.. Guirsa, minister plenipo
tentiary of the Republic of Czccho-
Slovakia in Siberia, have fully in
formed our respective governments"
Major Lasies was averse to discuss
ing the problem of the Japanese in
Siberia, for obvious diplomatic rea-
would be mistake for the United
States to leave Siberia entirely and to
decline to participate in the economic
development of Siberia with the CO.
operation of the future democ ratio
government of Russia.
Comments on French Situation
Asked to comment upon the new
political situation in France and the
election Of his friend, M. Deschanel. to
the Presidency, Major LAsies said
81 am of course, not able to speak
to you of the political situation in
France, as | am just returning from
Siberia after nearly years absence.
One thing is clear, however,: Mon
sieur Clcmenceau was not defeated in
the Presidential election because he
did not present himself as a candidate.
1t is true that an important body of
opinion was favorable to his election
1t was only natural that such should
be the case, because M. Clemenceau
was a War Minister of extraordinary
power and character, and the high re-
gard in which he is universally held
in France was expressed in this move
ment. But in politics. sentiment does
not always rule, and if NJ. Clemcnceau
was not elected it is not a proof, by
any means, of his country's ngrati-
tude
IN. Clcmenceau is q man of strong
character and Of small patience with
the majority of men, and it is poss BILE
that the Electoral College thought this
temperament was not we'll suited to
the Office Of President, and under the
circumstances, a better choice than
that of NJ. Deschancl could not have
been made"
Major Lasics has been decorated
with the Legion Of Honor and the
Croix de Guerre.