The Washington herald., 1920-08-11

A formal note from the Secretary
OF State to the Ambassador of Italy
in answer to the ambassadors in
auiry as to the position of the Unit
ed States regarding the Russian
Polish situation. follows:
August 10, 1920.
His Excellency, Baron Camille Ro-
mano Avetzana, Ambassador of
Italy.
/ 'Excellency:
The agreeable intimation, which
you have conveyed to the State De-
partment that the Italian govern
ment would welcome a statement OF
the views of this government On
the situation presented by the Rus
sian advance into Poland, deserves a
prompt response, and ! will attempt
without delay, a definition of this
governments position, not only as
to the situation arising from Rus
slan military pressure upon Poland,
but also as to certain cognate and
lnseparable phases of the Russian
question viewed more broadly.
This government believes in a
NH'aNNN' AINN anu Olish
state and the people of the United
states are earnestly solicitous for
the maintenance of Poland's political
| independence and territorial integ-
rity. From this attitude we will not
depart, and the policy of this gov
ernment will be directed to the en-
ployment of all available means to
render il effectuaL The government
therefore takes no exception to the
eHort apparently being made in some
quarters to arrange an armistice be-
tween Poland and Russia, but IL
would not, at least for the present
participate in any plan for the ex-
pansion of the armistice negotia-
tlons into a general European con-
ference which would in all proba-
ollity involve two results, from botn
OF which this country strongly re-
coils, viz. the recognition of the
Bolshevist regime and a settlement
OF Russian problems almost in
eVitably upon the basis Of a dis
memberment Of Russia
From the beginning Of the Rus
sian revolution, in March 1917. to
the present moment, the govern
ment and the people of the United
states have followed it's develop
ment with friendly solicitude and
with profound sympathy for the ef-
forts OF the Russian people to re-
construct their national life upon
the broad basis Of popular self
government. The government Of
tie United States, rejecting the
spirit Of its people. has at all times
desir to help the Russian people
In that spirit all its relations with
Russia and with other nations in
matters affecting the latter's in
tcrcst". have been conceived and
governed
Tho government of the United
states was the first government to
ach hnOwlcdCc the validity of the
revolution and - give recognition
I" tn" provis'unal government Of
Russia. AlT0s' Immediately there
! after became necessary for the
Unite tat e. enter the war
again 'ierm%r and in that un-
dertaki1C to become closely asso-
ciatcG : allied nations. in
"ludil 50, Russia. The
war The masses Of the
Russian people was fully known to
this goTcrnncut and sympathetical-
| ly Comprehended. Prudence, self
interest and loyalty to our associ-
ates made it desirable that we
should give moral and material
support to the provisional govern
ment, which was struggling to ac-
complish a two-fold task, to carry
on the war with vigor and, at the
same time. to reorganize the life
! of the nation and establish a stable
government based on popular SOW
iercignty.
quite Independent OF these mo-
tives, however, was the sincere
| Friendship of the government and
the people of the United States for
the great Russian nation The
I friendship manifested by Russia to-
ward this nation in a time of trial
and distress has left with us an
/ imperishable sense of gratitude. 1t
was as a grateful friend that we
sent to Russia an expert commits
sion TO aid in bringing about such
a reorganization of the railroad
( transportation system Of the coun-
try as would reinvigorate the whole
| Of its economic life and so add to
| the well-beinE of the Russian
people.
While deeply regretting the
withdrawal of Russia from the war
at critical time, and the disas-
trous surrender at Brest-LitoVsk,
the United States has fully under
stood that the people of Russia
were in no way responsible.
The United States maintains un-
impaired its faith in the Russian
people, in their high character and
! their future. That they will over
come the existing anarchy, suffer
ing and destitution We do not en-
tertain the slightest doubt The
distressing character of Russia 5
] transition has many historical par
allels. and the United States is con.
fident that restored, free and united
! Russia will again take a leading
place in the world. joining with
the other free nations in uphold
! ing peace and orderly justice.
Until that time shall arrive, the
United States feels that friendship
and honor require that Russia's in
terests must be generously protect
ed, and that. as far as possible, all
decisions of vital Importance to it,.
and especially those concerning its
sovereignty over the territory of
the former Russian Empire, be held
in allowance Ry this feeIinp of