Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1920-08-26
VICTORY AND A LESSON

TNHE brilliant victory with which the Poles
are now flushed has been gained under
auspices hearteningly different from those
under which the now republics invasion of
Russia was pursued some months ago.
The dangerous possibilities of that original
aggressive policy were very imperfPctly
realized both in Warsaw and in the Euro
pean chancelleries. Allied statesmen floun
dered helplessly in their effort to formulate
Russian program. Propaganda Bolshev-
lists and anti Boshevists attained the cloudy
submits of Misrepresentation.
In the interim stern recall of both sides
to realities has been sounded. Civilization
was profoundly shocked. not to say fright
ened. by the success Of Soviet arms. In the
midst of extreme dangers. truth has
wholesome fashion of asserting itself. The
Polish situation was subjected to a grim yet
sincere examination.
The folly of the first miltaristic adventure
was disclosed. 1t was apparent that tragic
blunders had been made. Efforts to repair
them resulted in wide divergence of views
among the allied statesmen, who naturally
measured the Bolshevist menace from strictly
national angles.
But the recovery of Poland has not only
made possible a course of clearer and more
unified thinking but sober. sound reflection
is inspired by the narrow margin by which
the Onrush of bolshcvism was averted. 1t Is
very unlikely now that the extreme claims Of
Polish militarists will be recklessly supported
by the major powers. 1t is equally improb
able that supine concessions to preposterOus
Bolshevist demands will be made,
The American note to Italy on the Russo
Polish crisis was firm and statesmanlike
paper. respecting the legitimate ambitions of
the Poles and rcpudiating utterly the Soviet
oligarchy, its trcachery and its tyrannous
sway over the great Russian majority. On
the basis of that document new spirit of
Franco American co operation has been en-
gendered. Signor Giolitti seems to have re
covered from his fright and Mr.. Lloyd
George is no longer torn between fantastic
fears of an English revolution and the al
ternative peril of recognizing the Soviet
regime.
As the case now stands, the BOlshevsts
are convicted of duplcity in their monStrous
demand that a proletarian army be main
tained in Poland. Other terms which they
are alleged to have made at Minsk are
equally mad. Mr.. Balfour has very properly
asked for verifcatiOn of these reports. 1t
may be expected that this time the veil of
illusion and delusion will be drawn, and
this applies as well to extravagant Polish
demands as to the absurdities of the Boil
sheyist purpose,
1t is trite to repeat that the whole world
desires peace. But there is most encOur
aging novelty in the possibility of this time
establishing it, With the collapse of Boil
shevst military power, the dread of Ger
man partnership with fanaticism fades also.
The Allies and the United States are now
intrenched in an exceedingly strong position.
Just terms in settlement of II war which gave
to civilization pangs of the most profound
concern can be imposed. The Allies, Poland,
and America, in so far as her advice Is given,
owe it to their self respect and instincts on
| behalf of sane democracy and the rights of
| peoples that the eastern Polish frontier be
| drawn with honest authority and that boil
| shevism in it's lunatic mood be brought to a
sense Of existing facts.