Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1920-02-26
BoISfcvisn Mcnaccu

WILL the Bolshevist regime, set up on
w the ruins of tyranny, and dedicated to
destroy capitalism and militarism. be crushed
by the very force it has created? Will the
vast armies which it has modified turn
against the Lenine government and destroy
that government? Will the creature become
,nighticr than the creator?
These are questions which leading authori-
ties all over the world are asking, and they
seem timely in the light of an announce
ment from Moscow that more than 1000 900
Russians arc now under arms; that as many
more are subject to call, and that campaigns
arc soon to be undertaken against the Baltic
provinces, against Poland and even against
ludia, Persia and TranS-Caucasus territory.
the BolsheyiSt armies are commanded by
many hundreds OF high officers Of the old
imperial Russian army. These officers i'll
cludc generals of high rank. They are not
Bolslievsts, but they have been faced with
the necessity of starving or being executed,
OF taking the alternative OF following their
profession i'll the military force of the Soviet
These officers might easily gain great popu-
larity with their men, and some one Of them
might easily become powerful enough TO
overthrow the Lenino regime and establish
il temporary dictatorship.
There are indications. moreover, that the
Bolshevst leaders are becoming conscious OF
the danger that seems to threaten them.
Many Of these leaders have urged that the
public force be dcmobized, and that only q
sufficient number OF men be kept under arms
10 guard the frontiers. But the troops may
refuse to demobilize and should they turn
against the Moscow government they could
easily destroy 1t overnight. Universal de-
mobilization concclrably might be disre-
garded by the troops OIL the ground that they.
III TACT, dominate the country and are In Il
position to take what they want in the mat
ter OF food and clothing and shelter These
are privileges 10 be treasured in a country
rs destitute as Russia has been for many
years pust
Finally, it is all-important that armies be
Kept employed if they are 10 be kent in
Stute OIL submission to authority. The Boil
Shevlst leaders probably have enough men
under their command to make war upon most
OF Europe, but these men cannot be pro
visioned They cannot be supplied with arms
Or with munitions. Nor can lines Of com
munication be established and maintained
sufficiently strong for war upon the on
tonte. r--,.-,.-.----.-.- =
These are circumstances which lead MANY
students or the russian situation to believe
.hat the SOVIET government has taken its life
into It's own hands in the formation of lis
powerful army, and that at any time il may
ma Itself ut the mercy OF the men now fight
ing TO maintain It in power 1t is true thar
the Mosco" government has crushed practi-
carly all OF its domestic enemies The Omsk
regime has apparently gone by the board.
Denekine has suffered repeated reverses in
Western Russia and the allied forces have
Deeh Withdraw from the Archangel district.
heie ponce duty is not enough to keep
the vast Soviet army engaged There must
DO more lighting. Foreign campaigns, of
course are possible, but then again the Bol
sheVlst troops may lave no taste for I'm,
sort or business. The whole situation &c fulI
OF important possibilities.