The Chattanooga news. [volume] (Chattanooga, Tenn.) 1891-1939, 1920-01-21
AMERICA BACKS
BRITISH POLICY
Inactivity Of U. S. Regarding
Lifted Blockade Due to
Treaty Status.
tRY DAVID L.AWRENcE.)

WASHINGTON, Jan. 1-(Copyrighted,
1920, for 80 Chattanooga News. -
AthoBeh A-nei fan foreign policy is
necessarily In an underlined state be-
cause of the failure of the senate to
ratify the peace treaty, nevrtheless
the attitude of the United States gov
trnment in reference to Siberia on
the one hand, and western Russia, on
the other, reveals no flinching in the
original purpose to aid and not fight
the Russian people.
Observers have wondered about the
continued presence of American
troops in Siberia and about the in
action of the United States over the
blockade and have not realized to
what extent the policy of this coun-
try has been dependent upon the in
clinations OF Great Britain, France
and Italy.
In the absence of American mem-
bership in the league of nations, the
traditional policy of the department
Of state is aloofness, instead of
leadership in European affairs and,
while President. Wilson, sympathetic
from the first with the struggles of
the Russians detailed. the present
proposal to open the channels of
commerce to the Russian people,
without entering into political rela-
tons with the soviet government
itself, it turns out that the United
States was not even consulted, but
was notified after the allies reached
their decision.
1t is true that America was con-
stantly urging such an opening of
trade relations while the American
mission was at Paris, but political
emergencies inside England and
France and Italy prevented unani-
nous action.
Indeed, the reopening of trade re-
latiOns was regarded as but one step
removed from a formal diplomatic
recognition of the soviets ana this
was construed as a dangerous en-
Couragement in socialistic and boil
shevistic elements in Great Britain,
France and Italy.
But Prime Minister Lloyd George
reached a point in his political career
whore It became necessary TO placHte
the labor and liberal groups by re-
sumption OF trade relations with RUSSIA,
rather to 90 to the mat with those same
elements on the policy proposed ny
Winston Churchill; namely, an active
support of the various Anti -BolsheNist
,,oycrDments movements and actions
Which. while popular with the investor
class. Is not at all tempting TO tax
p,Nors. for, IL the truth be known II
has been a costly bitl the Allies have
Maid i'm their support OF Kolchak and
other would-be libcrators of tho Rus
sian people.
Eut while the United States was urE-
ing economic penctrations as the single
means of strengthening the Russian
democracy so that the latter might es-
t9hlish more wisely its own form or
Government European politics inter-
tercd
Now. by the same token. British pom
tics has happened TO place Great Frit-
min back Of q policy which has the
hearty approval Of the American gov
,rrmont, the half-hcarted. but never
fTgIe5s concurrent. eDdors, mcut Of the
french and the shrcwd and eNpcdieut
-upport OF the Italian premier. VINO
trovs that one good turn deserves an
other and thnt the adToit prime minister
rrGrcat britain will use an his power
-.rd influence 10 assist now in settle
mont of the Fiumc question. which is
n- a lot more concern to nn Italian min
i.t,r than feeding Russians.
U. S. stiH Against Soviet
So for as tho United States govern
lr.rf is concerned it has ohated not
rr. lot its feeling OF anipathy toward
+r, soviet government because Of ihe
T4ftar'S insistCnce on Worldwide propa-
.anla s'Lhycrsive of law end order in
tnr other countries and ip approving
"a reciprocal trade relationship the De-
r4rtr.rri OF state is pointing 20 the
So u-1t the supplies do nqt 20 TO the