Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1920-08-21

Geneva. Aug. 21.--The outstanding
feature of the European situation today
Is the fact that Russia has once more
taken her place among the nations as
world power. There Is no getting
around this truth any more. Pros
trated for years by defeat and revolu-
tion, apparently erased forever from the
list of great powers. Russia has magi-
colly rcgained her strength and sudden
ly stepped forth again among them as
an equal.
This resurrection has been wrought
not BY communist theories, but in spite
of tlcm--by bloody victories on the
bnttlcfclds of Siberia. ITkrainia. Gnu
casis and Poland. II Is not Bolshe-
yism that has revived Russia---Bolshe-
yism is bankrupt---but nationalism and
military glory. Pacifsts and parlor
communists will, do well to mediate
this fact.
All over the world the friends Of
the great Russian people have been
praying for Russia's resurrection. But
II is unfortunately impossible to hail
Il with satisfaction. Russia comes
among the nations as n menace--a
terrible dorble menace Of world -revolu-
tion and world conquest. Her coming
npsets the new balance of power In
Europe created by the allied victory
over Germany on which the worlds
hone Of enduring peace was based. It
threatens to undermine the Ill cstab-
lshed peace of Europe once more and
70 .plunge the peoples into chaotic wars
and civil wars mere destructive even
and suicidal than the world war, which
they have but just survived.
Government a Military Depotism
IoE Entf
masked the present Russian Govern
ncnt as military despotism with
camouflaged communist civil admins
tration. To realize it's imperialstic
nims Il has at its-disposal three mighty
forces - Pan -Slavism. Pan -Islamism
nnd radical internationalis Thus
the new Russia is an infinitely more
formidable power than the old Russia of
the czars. whose only instrument Of
moral conquest was Pan -Slavism, to
say nothing of the fact that all other
European powers are reduced by war
far beneath the level Of their former
strength.
In spite of internal disorganization.
famine and plague, the new Russian
empire. with it's army of more than
1000. 900 fighters. led by bold com
manders and backed by ruthlessly
resolute government satirically con-
tcmptuous of western pacifism, Is
match even for the victors of the
world war and an irresistible force for
the vanquished and the weak new
istence in the midst of European chaos.
Talk Of Russia. Not Bolsheviki
In these circumstances it is natural
enough that Russia-eyen Czarist fxiles
no longer speak of ''the Bolshevists."
but only of Russia lis rapidly re-
gaining the dominating position which
she occupied in eastern Europe Of yore
and which victory gave the Allies, who
have not known how to Keep it.
Inevitably the eastern border states
are succumbing to Russian influence.
Their strongest unit was Poland. After
Poand's defeat and the invasion of the
Ukraine. the absorption of sI.ithuania,
Esthonia and Lettland by Russia is
but a question of months. All these
countries are far too weak to resist
Russia's will. None of them loves
Rolshevism.. though some are, already
but sympathy for Russia rooted in
racial affinity is still potent and is re-
enforced by fear and knowledge of their
own and allied impotence.
Even in Poland. whose martyrdom
under the Russian knout is one of the
most tragic chapters of European his
tory. certain pro Russian elements have
been brought to life again by the Red
armys victories. 1t Is. indeed, difficult
TO see how Poland. shattered and dis
heartened. can conclude and keep peace
with mighty Russia without also bccom-
ing one Of her satellites.
Pan Slavism an Asset
The reconstruction of Russia. which
Is tho immediate aim Of the present
Russian rulers, is favored not alone by
political developments, but also by
economic necessities. It must not be
forgotten that most of Poland used to
form part of Russia economically as well