The Chattanooga news. [volume] (Chattanooga, Tenn.) 1891-1939, 1920-07-30
TLiE noLsdENlk pANoER.

There are more persons who agree
with Gen. Ludendorff's diagnosis OF the
menace OF Russian bolshevism than
arc willing to accept his prescription
Of remedy. There are evils which II
seems difficult 10 eradicate by war. Boil
shevism is one of these. In fact, war
apparently furnishes most OF its nour-
lshment. War Is a matter OF psychol-
ogy and 30 Is bolshevism. The upshot OF
the matter is that the Lloyd George
Plan OF procedure is considered an Inn
movement over that OF Gen. Ludendorff.
The British premier favors conference
with Russian representatives, face to
face, and perhaps the reopening OF the
borders to trade.
One Of the leading papers OF the mid
die west declares that "unfailing ini-
tlative in inviting danger from the Rus
sian people has characterized allied
policy ever since the overthrow OF the
car" It follows this statement with
recital OF the various blunders--of
tho impossible demands made upon
Kerensky. of the sponsoring with funds
and supplies" bitterly needed at home"
OF the Archangel failure, the Kolchak
failure. the Yudenitch failure. the Dene-
kline failure, the Semenoff failure and
tho blockade. Poland was finally thrust
In "as a desperate gamble" only to
come Keeling back in disastrous defeat.
Every attempt has merely aggravated
the evil OF the situation.
This same paper declares that the
danger from soviet. Russia IL largely
what we make II. We may resume
peaceful trade with that vast country
or we may be drawn into war with
II. The policy OF the French foreign
ONCE Is held responsible for the pres
ent menacing situation. The German
element in the equation makes the
complication all the greater. Russian
holshevik forces are almost at the gates
OF Germany. A section Of German pub
lilo opinion 10 In sympathy with the
Russians all would be ready to con-
clude an alliance with them. Others
like Ludendorff-are opposed, but
shrewdly desire to use the menace to
win concessions from the entente.
Our contemporary IL OF opinion that
allied leaders would do well to 30 shape
policies as to bring GedmAny voiun-
tnrily into the sphere Of western inter-
ests. This" II declares, cannot be
accomplished by excited plans TO make
general war on soviet Russia or by
across Germany into Poland. To at
tempt this on any large scale under
the sorry conditions that now exist
would be to invite revolution and de-
struction of all that stands in modern
Europe. Trade. not arms, win pacify
Europe"
The foregoing observations are aspe-
ciaily significant. and particularly the
last sentence. The plain Inference is
that to attempt war on a large scale
in Europe Just now would probably re-
suit In wide extension of the revolu-
tionary area. On tho other hand, the
possibilities are that the people would
become more tranquil II their Distress
full conditions were relieved. And re-
lief might DO promoted. at least to some
extent. by the removal OF barriers
permitting the resumption OF trade. This
seems to be the view at which Lloyd
George has arrived, and the French
show signs OF falling into line.
1t In objected by some who oppose
negotiations that Lenine is not sincere
In his professions. and this may readily
DO granted. There Ia great DEAL of
lnaincerity In diplomacy. But the Rus
slams are very anxious about the re-
sumption Of trade. They are evidently
willing to concedo something to obtain
II. II we could. at the same time this
was done, assure them that we had no
designs against them, this would help
along to state Of greater repose, Out
p'de agitation has played into Lenine's
hand by enabling him TO kindie the
frenzy OF the Russian people. And this,
when aroused, In something formidable
An honest attempt ought to be made
TO take the peoples minds or Of war and
lts destructive horrors. Lot them rest
ana recuperate. II peace and quiet and
some degree OF comfort we're restored
Lenine's propaganda would find less ia
Norable ground for development. both
nt home and abroad. Moreover, Il would
permit Russian people TO more accur-
aiely estimate the value OF his eco
nomio theories, with wars stimulus
withdrawn. their collapse would be prac-
ucally certain. War has brought the
world to tho brink OF ruin. Nearly any
sort OF alternative policy Is worth ox-
perimentinE with,