Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1920-08-27
G'ssHlas'09 Gwn,as Yesterday asSdS 1903
Surrender to Bo lshcvism Averted.

Surrender to Bo lshcvism Averted.
Il is now possible to see how narrowly
Europe escaped q surrender in part to
Russian Bolshevism that might have been
Rraught with disastrous consequences.
THE Russian Red army. flushed with sue
cess and arrogant with blood lust, WAS al
most battering the gates of Warsaw,
erased with greed at the promise and
prospect of rich loot from sacking the
pncient city. Lloyd George, Premier CT
Great Britain, always an opportunlst,
was about ready to consent to at least
ApommercNl treaty with Soviet Russia,
(which would have been a step in the
direction Of political recognition.
France looked with i'll favor upon any
Hind of recognition of the anarchistic and
destructive forces that now control what
lis called government in Soviet Russia.
tFrench generals went to the aid OF sorely-
pressed Poland and French diplomacy re-
sisted all arguments of Lloyd George for
lifting of the policy of opposition to Rus
elan recognition. Italy stood aloof, her
statesmen hardly knowing what action to
take, until in despair they appealed to the
government of the United States.
The result fairly electrified Europe.
President Wilson, through Secretary of
State Colby. replied TO Italy in manner
that cleared the situation and struck
Soviet Russia it's deadliest blow. He set
forth the impossibility of dealing with
such farce of free government SIS Russia
now presents TO the world, with its brutal
expressions of the people and its con-
temptuous attitude toward treaties. lie
would have no dealings with Lenine and
Trotzky. the brazen usurpers and auto
Gratis. And he was resolutely opposed to
permitting Russian Reds to strange
Poland and make scarfs of its people, new
standing on the threshold of a freedom and
an autonomous government for which
they have longed for nearly two centuries
The effect of this ringing declaration, so
clear in its purposes and so emphatic In It's
LAYING down the policy of righteousness,
Ia. been amazing. Poland took fresh
courage, and under the inspiration OF
hope for liberty and the able leadershipe4
French military genius. her people rallied |
10 arms and halted the Russian advance |
almost at the Threshold of Warsaw.
Then they continued their opposition; |
changed il into aggressive assault, and |
today the Red army which was bent upon |
eacking the Polish capital is fleeing IN |
dismay and disaster. its ranks shattered. |
its supply trains the booty of Polish VIC
tors. and its shameful cause lost in over
whelming defeat.
Italy had promptly accepted the reply |
by President Wilson, which pointed out
the path of justice and duty 50 clearly.
France acclaimed it with JOY. And the
6pportunist Premier of Great Britain also |
cav a light and withdrew his subtle sug- !
-eestions Of recognizing the Soviet govern
Inent Of Russia TO the extent of entering /
into commercial relations with it. And
this splendid change, this radical re-
version Of situation that threatened
disaster to Europe, was the result OF the
firm and Just attitude of the government
Of the United States, as so revealingly, en-
phatcally and convincingly set forth by
President Wilson.
Europe today is struggling toward
greatly desired peace, under the auspicesof
the League Of Nations. That agen cy. how
ever, is weak and to a considerable ex-
tent ineffective because it lacks the mem
bership and cordial cooperation Of the
greatest and most powerful government in
the world, that Of the United States of
America. With our government taking its
rightful place in that international body,
nobly conceived and formed for the high
purpose of preserving the peace of the
world and making costly and devastating
wars impossible in the future, there would
not be the slightest doubt OF it's entire
success in carrying out its splendid and in
spring mission. There is where our coun-
try should be today-at the head Of the
League OF Misunderstanding its great
physical and moral power and its un-
bounded influence for the betterment of
human conditions everywhere.
Why we are not at the head of the
League of Nations, sharing in its work of
upbuilding war-shattered Europe and
making all the world safe and better for
all the people, We well know. But our
entrance is only delayed. There is a
sound and abiding belief that the Arneri-
can people will vote at the coming election
la a manner that will extend the delay no
onger than the meeting Of new Congress
hat will represent the righteous senti-
ncnt Of our people.