New-York tribune., 1920-08-11

less accomplish. this object, and it is
therefore averse to any dealings with
the Soviet regime beyond tho most
narrow boundaries to which discus
sion of an armistice can be confined.
THAT the present rulers of Russia
do not rule by the will or the consent
of any considerable proportion of the
Russian people is an incontestable fact
Although nearly two and half years
have passed since they seized the ma
chinery of government, promising to
protect the Constituent Assembly
against alleged conspiracies against it.
they have not yet permitted anything
in the nature of popular election
At the moment when the work of Great
ing popular representative govern
ment, based upon universal suffrage,
was nearing completion, the Bolsheviki,
although in number an inconsderablc
minority of the people, by force and
cunning. seized the powers and ma
chlnery OF government and have con-
tlnued to use them with savage oppres-
sion to maintain themselves in power.
Hopes for Stable Government
"Wlthout any desire to interfere in
the internal affairs of the Russian peo-
pie or to suggest what kind of govern
men they should have, the government
OF the United States does express the
hope that they will soon find way to
set up government representing their
free will and purpose. When that time
comes the United States will consider
the measures of practical assistance
which can be taken to promote the
restoration of Russia. provided Russia
has not taken itself wholly out of the
pale of the friendly interest of other
nations by the pillage and oppression
Of the Poles.
ut is not possible for the govern
ment of the United States to recognize
the present rulers of Russia as a gov
crnment with which the relations com
mon to friendly governments can be
maintained. This conviction has moth
ig to do with any particular political
or social structure which the Russian
people themselves may see fit to en-
brace. 1t rests upon a wholly different
set of facts. These facts, which none
disputes, have convinced the govern
mcnt of the United States, against its
Will that the existing regime in Russia
is based upon the negaton of every
principle of honor and good faith, and
every usage and convention underly-
ing the whole structure of interna
tional law, the negation. in short, Of
y
BILE to base harmonious and trustful
relations. whether .f nations or Of in
dividuals
Agreements Are Worthless
"The responsible leaders Of the
regime have frequently and openly
Roasted that they are willing to sign
agreements and undertakings with for
oign powers, while not having the
slightest intention of observing such
undertakings or carrying out such
agreements. Ehis attitude of disre-
gard Of obligations voluntarily entered
into they base upon the theory that
no compact or agreement made with
q non Bolshevist government can have
any moral force for them. They have
not only avowed this as doctrine, but
have eXempliied it in practice. Indeed,
upon numerous occasions the response
bic spokesmen of this power and its
official agencies have declared that it
is their understanding that the very
existence of BolsheVism in Russia, the
maintenance Of their own rule, de-
pends. and must continue to depend,
upon the occurrence Of revolutions in
all other great civilized nations, in
cluding the United States, which will
overthrow and destroy their govern
ments and set UP Bolshevist rule in
their stead. They have made it quite
plain that they intend to use every
means. including, of course. diplo-
matte agencies, to promote such revo-
lutionary movements in other coun-
tries.
Aim to Promote Revolutions
at is true that they have in various
ways expressed their willingness to
give assurances and guarantees that
they VIII not abuse the privileges and
lmmunities of diplomatic agencies by
using them for this purpose In view
OF their own declarations, already re-
tered to, such assurances and guaran-
ties cannot be seriously regarded
Moreover, it Is within the knowledge
of the government of the United States
that the BolsheVik government is itself
subject to the control Of political
faction with extensive international
ramitications through the third inter-
rationale and that this body, which is
heavily subs dized by the Bolshcvil
of Russia, has for its openly avowed
aim the promotion of Bolshcvik revolu-
tions throughout the world. The lead
ers Of the Bolsheviki have boasted that
their promises of northumberland with
other nations would in no wise bind the
agents OF this body There is no room
for reasonable doubt that such agents
would receive tnS support ana DrOtCC-
tion of any diplomatic agencies the
Bosheviki might have in other coun-
tries Inevitably, therefore, the dfplo-
matte service of the Bolshevik govern
ment would become q channel for
lntrlgues and the propaganda Of revolt
against the institutions and laws Of
countries. with which it was at peace,
which would be an abuse of friendship
to which enlightened governments cam
not subject themselves.
No Confidence or Trust
"in the view Of this government
there cannot be any common ground
upon which it can stand with power
whose conceptions of international re-
latlons are so entirely alien to its
own. so utterly repugnant to It's moral
sense. There can be no mutual con-
tidence or trust, no respect even, if
pledges are to be given and agree
ments made with a cynical reputation
OF their obligations already in the
mind of one of the parties. We cannot
recognize, hold official relations with,
or give friendly reception to the agents
of a government which is determined
and bound to conspire against our in
stitutions, whose diplomats will be
the agltators Of dangerous revolt.
whose spokesmen say that they sign
agreements with no intention of keep
ing them.
"To summarize the position Of this
government, ! would say, therefore, in
response to your excellency's inquiry,
that 1t would regard with satisfaction
a declaration BY the Allied and ASSOC