New-York tribune., 1920-01-16
u. S. Loan Urged
ToH0IdBuck Reds
Ne4c York. Tribune
Wnshinntn4n RHrenM


WASHINGTON. Jan. 15.-Secretary
Baker, of the War Department, to-
day told the House Ways and Means
Committee that for reasons Of military
necessity the United States should
make a loan of S15O,OOO,O00 to Aus
tria, Poland and Armenia. which Sec
retary Glass of the Treasury and Her
bert Hoover already nave declared is
needed to avert financial disaster in
Europe. Mr.. Bakers views were given
to the committee in confidential form,
but General Tasker II. Bliss, Of the
American peace commission, who fol-
lowed the secretary before the COM
mittee and frankly said that in the
army of Poland, now facing the mill
tary forces Of Bolshevism, Continental
Europe and perhaps the rest of the
world has its only bulwark.
The Moscow government, General
such an extent that the Bolshevki soon
can muster on one front an army of
100000 men, we'll equipped and led
and with ample ammunition. Against
this force Poland may only be able
to throw an army of 100000 men, not
SO we'll equipped or led, and which
certainly cannot hope for victory if
real clash comes unless it~has be-
hind it a nation more or less content
and we'll fed and clothed.
No U. S. Troops Needed, He Says
Before the United States lends the
S15O,00O,00O for food, General Bliss
said, it should be assured that the
Allies will aid Poland in military way
if the necessity arises. Military as
sistance from this side Of the Atlantic,
General Bliss did not believe neces-
sary.
Both Secretary Baker and General
Bliss dealt particularly with Poland.
although both said that the situation
in Austria and Armenia demands action
on the part of the United States. After
listening to Secretary Bakers reasons
for supporting the loan on military
grounds Representative Longworth, of
Ohio, Republican, said
'You have recommended this loan
from a military point of view for Po-
land and Austria, Mr.. Secretary Is
there any military reason in the case
Of Armenia 2"
"The situation is like a fire in a
stubble field" replied Mr.. Baker. "You
can't tell where it will extend This
war started in the Balkans. The situa-
tion in Armenia is very serious and 1t
vitality affects conditions in Turkey and
Persia particularly"
Might Revive War
General Bliss gave comprehensive
! picture of conditions generally in Pc
! land and adjacent territory. He init
mated that failure to keep the civi
population of Poland clothed and fe'
might lead to revival Of the late war
He said no one could predict the sue
cess or failure of the Polish army j
it met a vastly superior Bolshevi
force.
"Without outside assistance, mill
tary observers believe it is PRACTICAL:
withstand the force of the expecte
Bolshevik offensive."~ said Genera
Bliss. "If successful, IL probably woul
mean a revival of the general European
war. But, in return for aid given b.
the United States, this country shoul
exact some sort of guarantee from tn
Allies that they will furnish Polan
with the needed ammunition and artil
lery to support its army.
"The storm center OF Europe" con
tinued General Bliss, els now IN Pc
pean countries are threatened witt
grave danger. To understand the sit
uation you must know what is hap
pening in Russia. The government o
Moscow soon will be in a position t
take care of itself regardless OF tn
economic blockade. The result de
pends upon the military activities o
the Russians after this point is reached
"Most military men believe Russi
will not bother with territory east o
Lake Baikal and will not contest tn
territory now occupied by the Jap
anese. 1t is not believed either tha
they will develop action toward Tur
. key or India for the present, excep
through propaganda.
]. Military observers think, however
. that the eyes of the Bolshevik leader
will be turned toward Poland. There
! orobably some reason for this way o