Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1920-08-11

Undertakings with foreign powers while
not having the slightest intention of OBJ
serving such undertakings or carrying
out such agreements. This attitude of
disregard of obligations voluntarily en-
tered into they base upon the theory
that no compact or agreement made
with non-bolshevist government can
have any moral force for them. They
have not only avowed this as a doc
trlne, but have eXemplified it in prac-
tee. Indeed. upon numerous occasions
the responsible spokesman Of this pow
er, and its official agencies, have de-
clared that it is their understanding
that the very existence of bolshevism in
!. Russia. the maintenance of their own
rule. depends. and must continue to de-
pend. upon the occurrence of revolutions
IN all other great civilized ma tons. in
Guiding the United States. which will
overthrow and destroy their govern
ments and set up bolshevist rule in
their stead. They have made it quite
plain that they intend to use every
means, including. of course, diplomatic
agencies. to promote such revolutionary
movements in other countries.
Subject to Political Faction.
1T is true that they have in va
rious ways expressed their willing
ness to give assurance and guar
antees' that they will not abuse the
privileges and immunities of diplo-
matte agencies by using them for this
purpose. In view of their own decla =
rationS. already referred to, such as
SuranceS and guarantees cannot be
very seriously regarded. Moreover, it
is within the knowledge of the gov
eminent of the United States that
the bolshevist government is itself
subject to the control of a political
faction. with extensive international
ramifications through the third IN
ternationale, and that this body.
which is heavily subsidized by the
holshevist government from the pub
lie revenues of Russia, has for its
openly avowed aim the promotion of
bolshevist revolutions throughout the
world. The leaders of the bolsheviki
have boosted that their promises of
non -interfererce with other nations
would in nowise bind the agents of
this body. There is no room for rea-
sonable doubt that such agents
would receive the support and pro-
lection of any diplomatic agencies
the bolsheviki might have in other
countries. Inevitably, therefore, the
diplomatic service of the bolshevist
government would become channel
for intrigues and the propaganda of
revolt against the institutions and
laws of countries with which it was
at peace, which would be an abuse
of friendship to which enlightened
governments cannot subject them
selves.
I'm the view of this government.
there cannot be any common ground
upon which it can stand with pow
err whose conceptions of interna-
tional relations are so entirely alien
to its own. so utterly repugnant to It's
moral sense. There can be no mutual
confidence or trust, no respect even,
if pledges are to be given and agree
mentS made with a cynical repudla-
ton of their obligations already IN
the mind of one of the parties. We
cannot recognize, hold official rela-
lions with, or give friendly reception
to the agents of a government when
Is determined and bound to consplre
against our institutions, whose dlplo-
mats will be the agitators OF danger
Gus revolt; whose spokesman say
that they sign agreements Win Ho
intention of keeping them.
Position Summarized.
ITO summarize the position of this
government, l would say. therefore, IN
response to your excellency's inquiry
that it would regard With satisfaction a
declaration by the allied and associated
powers that the territorial integrity and
true boundaries of Russia snail De re-
spected These boundaries should prop
erly include the whole of the FORMER
Russian empire, with the exception OF
FINLAND proper, ethnic Poland. and such
territory as may by agreement form a
nart of the Armenian state. The as
pirations of these nations for indcpend-
ence are legitimate. I Each was forci-
bly annexed, and their liberation from
oppressive alien rule involves no agrees
sions against Russia's territorial rights
and has received the sanction of the
public opinion of all free peoples. Such
a declaration presupposcs the Withdraw
al of all foreign troops from the terri
tory embraced by these boundaries. and
in the opinion of this government should
be accompanied by the announcement
that no transgression by Poland, Finland
or any other power of the line so drawn
and proclaimed will be permitted.
Thus only can the bolshev!st regime
he deprived of it's false but effective APP
| neal to Russian nationalsm and COM
PEELED to meet the inevitable challenge
! of reason and self-respecf which the
Russian people. secure from invasion
and territorial violation, are sure to adj
dress to a social philosophy that de-
grades them and a tyranny that OPP
presses them.
1.-The policy herein outlined will COM
mand the support of this government.
Accept, excellency, the renewed as
surance of my highest consideration.
(Signed)
"BAINBRIDGE COLBY.
His Excellency BARON CAMILLE RO-
MANO AVEZZANA, Ambassador of
Italy"