Norwich bulletin., 1920-08-11

States has taken the position that lne IT. nal determination of it's boundaries must not be made without Russia's coopera- tion and agreement. Not only is Russia concerned because a considerable part of the territory of the new state of Armenia when it shall be defined, formerly be- lonsed to the Russian empire; equally important is the fact that Armenia must have the good will and the protective friendship of Russia if it is to remain independent and free.
 '@rhese illustrations show with what consistency the government of the Unit ed States has been guided in its foreign policy by a loyal friendship for Russia. We are unwilling that while it is help less in the grip of a non-representative government, whose only sanction is bru- ia! force Russia shall be weakened still further by a policy of dismemberment, conceived in other than Russian inter ests.
 Soviet Rules by Brutal Force.
 with the desire of the allied powers to bring about a peaceful solution of the existing difficulties in Europe, this gov ernment is of course in hearty accord and will support any justifable steps to that end. It is unable to perceive how ever, that a recognition of the soviet re-
 
 plish this object and it Is therefore averse to any dealings with the soviet regime beyond the most narrow boun- diaries to which a discussion of an ar mistice can be confined
 Do Not Rule By will of People.
 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. Al though nearly two and half years have passed since they seized the machinery of government, promising to protect the constituent assembly against alleged conspiracies against it, they have not yet permitted anything in the nature of a popular election. At the moment when the work of creating a popular representative government based upon universal suffrage was nearing comple- ton the bolsheviki although in number an inconsiderable minority of the people, by force and cunning seized the powers and machinery of government and have continued to use them with savage op- pression to maintain themselves in power.
 Without any desire to interfere in the internal affairs of the Russian peo- pie, or to suggest what kind of govern ment they should have, the government of the United States does express the hope that they will soon find a way to set up a government representing their free will an dpurpose. When that time comes the United States will consider the measures of practical assistance which can be taken to promote the res toration of Russia, provided Russia has not taken itself wholly out of the pale of the friendly interest of other nations, by the Illage and oppression of the Poles.
 Lack Honor and Good Faith.
 Tt is not possible for the government of the United States to recognize the present rulers of Russia as a govern ment with which the relations common to friendly governments can be main tained. This conviction has nothing to do with any particular political or social structure which the Russian people themselves may see fit to embrace It rests upon a wholly different set of facts These facts, which none disputes have convinced the government of the United States, against it's will, that the existing regime in Russia is based upon the ne- gation of every principle of honor and good faith, and every usage and con vention underlying the whole structure
 
 short, of every principle upon which it is possible to base harmonious and trustful relations, whether of nations or of indi- viduals. The responsible leaders of the regime have frequently and openly ooasted that they are willing to sign agreements and undertakings with for elgn powers, while not having the slight est intention of observing such undertak- lngs or carrying out such agreements This attitude of disregard of obligations voluntarily entered into, they base upon the theory that no compact or agree ment made with a non-bolshevist gov ernment can have any moral force for them. They have not only avowed this as a doctrine but have exemplified it in practice. Indeed, upon numerous occa- sions the responsible spokesmen of this power, and it's official agencies, have de- clared that it is their understanding that the very existence of bolshevism in Rus sla, the maintenance of their own rule. depends, and must continue to depend, upon the occurrence of revolutions in all other great civilized nations, including the United States. which will overthrow and destroy their governments and set up bolshevist rule in their stead. They have made it quite plain that they in- tend to use every means, including, of
 
 such revolutionary movements in other countries.
 Bolshevfst Government Unreliable.
 Tt is true that they have in various ways expressed their willingness to give assurances and guarantees that they will not abuse the privileges and innu- mites of diplomatic agencies by using them for this purpose. In view of their own declarations, already referred to. such assurance and guarantees cannot be very seriously regarded Moreover. it is within the knowledge of the govern ment of the United States that the bol- shevist government is itself subject to the control of political faction. with extensive international ramifcations through the third internationale and that this body, which is heavily subsi- dized by the bolshevist government from the public revenues of Russia. has for it's openly avowed aim the promotion of bolshevist revolutions throughout the world. The leaders of the bolsheviki have boasted that their promises of non-interference with other nations would in no wise bind the agents of this body. There is no room for reason able doubt that such agents would re- ceive the support and protection of any