The Washington herald., 1920-03-03
EUROPE FEARS
SOVIET POWER
And U.S.DOLLAR
Influence Of Exchange Rate
Dreaded as Much as
Russian Propaganda.
HOPE TO CURB BOTH
Central Nations Gradually
Turn to Lenine for Needed
Raw Materials.
tPublic Ledger Service. Special Gable
Dispateh.)
By CARL w. ACKERMAN.

Public Ledger Service. Special Cable
Dispafeh.)
By CARL w. ACKERMAN.
London, March Europe today
has two masters, the dollar and the
Soviet of Russia. As strange as 1t
may seem. everything in govern
ment. finance. politics. industry and
business from Petrograd to Rome,
from Constantinople to London. is
subject to the supreme influence, IL
not the domination or fear, of these
two powers. the money power of
America and the propaganda power
of Russia.
There is not a statesman in Eu-
rope who does not fear both. There
Is not a government which does not
shape its policies to plaeate one or
the other. Every word and every
act of responsible men is tempered
according to the possibility of the
reaction upon foreign exchange or
the possible aggression of the Boil
shevists.
Masses Hate America.
Still both powers are almost
equally hated. America by the
masses and Russia by the governing
and directing classes. One cannot
travel far in Europe today without
reaching the same conclusions
There was a time when President
Wilson expressed the aspirations of
the world. when Europe paid hom-
age to his ideals.
That day has passed. There was
a time when the Bolshevists were
riddled with vituperation. That day.
too, has passed and it would not be
surprising IL the prophecy of an
Italian l met in Rome comes true.
within a year." he said. "Lenine
will be welcomed in every capital
in Europe"
The apparent Inconsistency of the
Russian straugle hold on
Europe may be easily explained.
Examine the Russian situation and
the allies Russian relations and
one =discevers>eight resssnS for the
allied desire to make pf1ae with
the Soviet. In order of Importance
they are:
Allied Policies Fail.
One-Failure of all other allied
and American policies in Russia,
chiefly their inability TO meet on
any common ground opposing the
Bolshevists.
Two-T'he public demand in Eng
land and also in Italy, where the
chamber of deputies two months
ago voted for Italian recognition of
the Russian Soviet. Poland, Czecho-
Slovakia and Rumania-
Three-The urgent need for food
and raw materials by all countries,
including the central powers.
Four1The decision of the Bolshe-
visits to cease their international
This, of course, may
be only a temporary decision as an
emergency measure.
Five-The change in the Bolshe-
visits policies and government. In
Switzerland / was informed that
scores of Russians, monarchists and
social revolutionists were returning
to Russia and were being given
employment by the Soviet govern
ment. Nearly all the red generals
of today served under the Gar.
In Switzerland one of. the Cars
former ambassadors has been living
in exile since the 1917 revolution.
He is returning to Moscow ITO enter
the Soviet diplomatic service.
Europe Fears Uprising.
Six-The fear of revolutions in
allied countries because-of the Boil
shevists' propaganda in England,
Italy, France and Central Europe.
'Seven-The allies desire to free
their own countries from economic
dependence upon America, which
was rapidly becoming economic
bondage.
Eight-The possibility of lower
ing the price of the dollar in
foreign legislation.
1t should be explained to Ameri-
cas- credit that those who have
been following closely the world
revolutionary movement from Eu-
ropean capitals declare the move
ment was broken by the United
States GovernmentSw when it adopted
its vigorous policy of breaking the
Industrial revolutionist program
in America. The Bolshevist lead
ers had counted upon success in
the United States to bring victory
in Europe.
1t is significant that almost i'm
mediately after Moscow learned of
the failure (of the Bolshevists in
the United States, the Soviets de-
cided to cease their international
revolutionary propaganda, but
Europe generally does not under
stand the Importance of Americas
action. Because of this, the United
States today Is generally consid-
cred the most reactionary and
despotically-controlled nation in
the world.
Dollar Powerful Factor.
Most of US in the United States
before we come to Europe do not
appreciate the power of the dollar
over here. We know that one dol
lar buys fourteen French francs or
eighteen Italian lire when the nor
NAL exchange rate Is less THAN six
francs or lire to the dollar. To
Americans in Europe this means
we can buy much more in Europe
today than formerly. but for the
French and Italian merchants and
government agents, who must bny
food and manufactured articles in
The United States and nav In dollars