Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1920-10-17
NEXT MONTH VITAL
IN LIFE OF RUSSIA
Should Bolsheviks Fail to Crush Wraneel,
With Poles at Peace, Power Will
BeDoomed

not this spirit will have wholesome
weight in the campaigns against
Wrangel remains to be seen. but III
asmuch as the whole Russian army Is
permeated with anti-soviet doctrines
and spirit it would not be surprising
to see Wrangel score tremendous sue
ceSses in the immediate future. sue
cesses which otherwise would be Won
only at tremendous costs, II at al
If the bolshevik forces become I'M
bued with the idea that Wrangel can
restore order within Russia and that
it is within his power to END the
period of chaos ushered in by Lenln
and Trotsky there is hope that tne
next thirty days-the period OF the
greatest bolshevik effort-win decide
the story.
Although the Poles have effected a
truce with the reds they still nave
Lihtuania to deal whit. the capture OF
wilma having again plunged the rela-
tions of these countries into apysS
The unwarranted action of Gen. Zell-
gouski's armies in taking Wilma. the
capital of Lithuania. against the ex-
press wishes of allied powers. has
brought on a grave situation, as 1t re,
lates to the future relations of Poland
and the allies.
Though Poland has disavowed the
seizure. nevertheless there are facts
which Poland will have difficulty in
explaining away, particularly the
purported plot to form new little
state within Lithuania. sooner or
later incorporating the heterogeneous
masses surrounding wilma with Po-
land. The allies are investigating
and Poland may be brought to book
if it is possible, but inasmuch as the
allies permitted Poland to suffer. and.
barring the French, assisted practical
ly not at all during Poland's darkest
hours. it may be expected that the
Pilsudski government will strive to
handle the situation as best it; can
even in opposition to allied views.
Poland believes she has a mission to
perform and in view of the allies loss
of influence may do about as she
pleases unless greater suasion than
that of the past is brought to bear.
Pact Under Fire.
Polands -act with the bolsheviki
likewise is under allied fire. Though
undoubtedly the majority of nations
are DESTROYS of seeing some semblance
of peace in eastern Europe, neverthe-
less it is argued the Polish-red terms.
territories beyond chronological from
tiers, are in contradiction to the
treaty of Versailles. Likewise. under
international law treaties. peace terms
with an unrecognized government are
never recognized as in the case of the
make protest. but undoubtedly these
will be perfunctory. The attitude of
the United States is conjectural mas
much as Washington but a few weeks
ago pointed out to Poland that it
would not sanction the transgression
of chronological frontiers by Poland
in any settlement with Russia, but
Poland is in position to say:
1T is agreeable to Russia We are
satisfied. What business is it of
yours
And the United States might find
itself much in the same position as
some European nations. There is no
question that this Polish policy may
lead to future troubles. inasmuch as
the soviet regime and its acts are
certain to be overridden by any new
Russian government succeeding the
bolsheviki. but it is argued by the
Poles that time will settle it's own
whole eastern territorial question is
one subject of negotiation.
Poland undoubtedly would approach
the frontier question in an entirely
different spirit, with a we'll estab-
lished Russian government, but Po-
land does not trust the bolsheviks, and
in view of recent bitter experiences,
desires to push as far
east as possible in order to prevent
a repetition of the bolshevik drive
upon Warsaw. success Of which was
mira culously prevented
During the period of the armistice,
and encouraged by the French. Po-
land, by virtue Of her distrust of the
reds. undoubtedly will strengthen her
fences in preparation of possible re-
aewed drive upon her, in case the
should defeat Wrangel.
Eventual peace and revitalizing of
Russia are the two great issues that
hinge upon events Of the next month
and the key to both lies in the hands
of Gen. Wrange1.