Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1920-08-12
Two Voices


NUT OF the storm cloud that hangs low
~ over Europe, threatening the existence
OF Poland under dcluge OF Bolshevism.
and the over-topDling of civilization itself
by the Red terror of Russia. comes two
voices. One is that OF Great Britain, speak
ing through Premier Lloyd George; the
other, that of America in the utterance OF
President Wilson through his Secretary OF
State, cambridge Colby. Both seek, in a
measure, attainment of the same end, the
saving OF Poland as unit in tho family
OF nations; the checking of the Red on
rush toward Western Europe. and the avert
ing of another and probably a greater
cataclysm in tho renewal of tho European
war.
There the parallel stops. The voice OF
Lloyd George is coldly utiltarian, the tone
that of the Old World diplomat though. now,
ii is tingcd with fear. Great Britain, all
but PROSTATE after its monstrous exertions
III the great war, feels unequal to such il
new burden as conflict with Russia would
impose upon it. 1t must be avoided at all
hazards. even if it must go to the extreme
of recognizing the Soviet. Poand's indie
pendence must be saved, not for Poland's
sake, but because it is Il pawn in the Euro
pcan game. and an independent Poland is
necessary as Il barrier between the Russian
Reds and Western Europe. Lloyd Georges
problem is intensely practical. in which he
sees only the present, with Britains safety
and Britain's main chance always in mind
And Lloyd George is Il practical statesman
In the whole course of his statement to
Parliament there is no hint of sympathy
Tor roland. which must accept Chastisemcnt
for its error short Of actual obliteration;
there Is no intmation OF friendship for a
once great Russia. now writhing in the grasp
m t.
beyond thiny yelled effort to bride the
i'olshevisrs to desist from their victorious
western sweep and accept as compensation
peace and trade with Britain and the allies
How differently rings the voice of Amer
lea. In it is sympathy for Poland and an
expressed determination that its indcpcnd-
ence must be preserved not that it may
serve as buffer state and bear the brunt
OF future blows intended TO reach Western
Europe, but because il should be free OF
right. There is friendship for the once great
ana still potentially great Russia, gratitude
for its supreme sacrifice in the war, the
promise of moral and material aid when it
shall have cut ont the Red cancer that is
eating into its vitals. There is detcrmina-
tion that no contingency shall force this
nation 10 recognition OF the dishonorable
ana dishonorcd Boshevist regime that would
leave IT free TO spread its malign propa-
Ghndn throughout the world. Opportunity
to enable Russia TO rid itself OF Bolshcvism
is suggested In the restoration OF all that
properly belongs to Russia, thus dcpriving
the Reds Of their excuse for the war they
are waging. In this connection ii is graft
lying to learn that the United States has
withheld its approval from the partition of
ltussia already undertaken by Great Britain
and France in the carving of small nations
ont OF it's territory.
The paper OF Secretary Colby is an en-
Tightening and inspiring document. one that
Is worthy to rank among the historic utter
ances of America, for it is constructive
Americanism at its best. Old World diplo-
mats may argue that it is not practical,
pui IL Americas voice is needed in this
instance, it will yield permanent peace
and restored Russia. whereas the method
ohered by Lloyd George can result in moth
lhS more than an armed truce with Russia
partitloned out rs loot, and eventually n
war against civilization in which Bolshcyjst
NnSSla, Bolshcvist Germany thirsting for
revenge and other dsaffcctcd nations would
menace the existence of all governmental
institutions.