Evening star., 1920-05-30
RUSSIA'S FATE HANGS
ON ALLIED DECISIONS
Revival of Trade Means Sustaining of
Lenin and Increasing of Bolshevist
Dangers in All Countries.

business men and Investigators VINO
have been in Russia during recent
soviet to restore semblance OF the
old order when Russia. despite her
many governmental ills. was a going
concern. Railroad traffic is democrat
lied and the rolling stock is becoming
so bad it is but a question Of time
when Russia will have practically
none, her own resources and manu-
factories being unable to keep pace.
The peoples of all Russia are becom-
ing resentful toward the bolshevfsts.
who promised all. but gave nothing
in return for aid given. The military
is weaker and weaker every day De,
cause of the lack of war supplies and
food. There is a strong current OF ais
affection among the Russian soldiers VINO
are compelled to fight, not to speak OF
the officers, who never have been sus-
pected of clinging to desire for set
tied order but who have served under
soviet leadership to save their own
Hives. Money is worthless. food stores
the Russian people today are in rags
and tatters and existing hand to
mouth. Tribalism Is growing ram
pant. Industries are putting out
faction of l per cent Of their former
output. In fact. the whole OF Russia
today is composed Of a mass of hun
cry idle. ragged people who can do
nothing as long as the present boil
shevist theories are applied and as
long as Russia remains cut on from
the outside world. it even being ao-
mitted by bolshevist leaders them
selves that trade with the world Is
the only sure cure for Russia's eco
nomic ills.
Trade Wave Is Dying.
The trade with Russia" spirit Is
fast dying down in many Scandina-
Wan and European countries. where IT
has been found that the Russian busi-
ness man could. because Of restric-
tions, send little out of his own coun-
try. They also have found that he
has little to send IL he would. Con-
sequently, Norway and Sweden have
temporarily broken OF negotiations
with the reds. Another reason in
volved is that the reds have taken ad
vantage Of their trade conferences to
propagate the gospels of sedition and
anarchy in the countries in which
they have been guests. If there should
be large resumption of trade with
Russia. it will be designed by Rus
sian leaders to further the cause of
bolshevism, they taking advantage of
European desire to mitigate economic
woes with Russian goods.
II England breaks from the other
allies and revives trade, there Is little
to expect in the way of custer Of boil
shevist rule in Russia. Premier Nitti's
stand toward Russia is believed large
~ dictated by the demands Of social
istic groups In Italy, which are more
and more implanting their ideas in
the government program. Nittt must
compromise, and trade with Russia
may be one step in this direction.
Coup D'Etat Possible.
But II the majority Of European
countries stand together for another
half year in continued refusal to open
up trade relations predicated on such
recognition as would perpetuate Lenfn
and Trotsky in Moscow, there is every
reason to believe that the fall months
will find the whole of the Russian
people on the verge Of revolt against
bolshevist rule, If. indeed, the revo-
lutionary socialists. who are constant
ly growing in power. do not effect
coup d'etat before that time. This
conclusion is predicated upon the sup
position that no people, suffering as
are the Russians today. and honey
combed with discomfort. will dare face
another winter. with prospects OF
even greater suffering and tribula-
tion.
Should the allies remain aloof until
the bolshevists are ousted and then
recognize some government more
careful OF life. property and interna-
tional obligations. the people Of Rus
sia will be materially assisted and
Russia's sun will rise.
But upon the action Of the allies
themselves largely will depend Rus
sia's future.