The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1920-08-17
A Fine Document.

The answer returned by our depart
ment OF state to the Italian govern
ment on the subject Of our Russian
policy is fine document, and worthy
to rank with other great state papers
which have come out OF the present
administration,
1t is virtually a debut performance
for Baiubridge Colby. who thereby quail
fies as statesman, having already
secured his standing as Democrat
and a politician at S-n Francisco
Mr.. Colby uses words with Wilsonan
case and grace He already was known
as something Of stylist, and in cont
menting on the Harding speech of ae-
ceptance he had poked fun at the Ma
rion English" OF the author.
In the policy outlined in the note,
Mr.. Colby deserves and desires no bet
ter recommendation than to say that
here his mind goes along with Mr.. VIII
sons. He declares that this country
is still the true friend OF submerged
Russia; OF that Russia which is held
under domination by the class govern
ment OF the soviets. We will recognize
no Russian government till we are as
sured that it, is a majority govern
nent, but In the meantime we will con-
sent to no partition OF Russian territory.
The secretary calls attention prop
erly TO this countrys persistent re-
fusal to recognize the Baltic states as
separate nations independent of Russia,
and its repeated statement with ref
trence to certain proposed settlements
in the Near East that no final de-
cision should or can be made without
the consent OF Russia"
With regard to the soviets this gov
eminent IL firm against the tendencies
of the soft statesmen Of Europe who
want 10 parley with Lenine and eventual
ly recognize his performance as legal:
that the present rulers OF Russia do
not rule with the will or consent OF
any considerable proportion Of tie Rus
sian people is an incontestable fact,
Although nearly two and a half years
have passed since they seized the ma
chinery OF government, promising TO
protect the constituent assembly against
alleged conspiracies against it, they
have not yet permitted anything in the
nature Of constitutional election"
II ought never to be allowed to be
forgotten, for 1t is wisconsin at the
peak, and we believe that history will
make much Of II, that Mr.. Wilson stood
for Russia when there was not single
other champion on that side Of tn,
Line when the Russians laid down
their arms and the Germans turned
all their attention to the Western front,
the allied fortunes were at the lowest,
and some Of the allied Statesmen began
to reduce their war aims in proportion.
In particular Mr. Lloyd George solemn
y declared before parliament that Eng
lands engagements in the east OF Eu-
rope were at an end. But almost i'm
mediately MI Wilson stated that hi
stood for the same aims in the East
that he had always stood for, and they
Of little faith took heart again
II is no time now to give UP the
game for Russia. II the russians can
stand their present situation. the allies
can stand it, II the European powers
are going 20 pronounce the life sentence
OF Rolshevism against Russia today
they would have done better to have
turned her over to the German eNccu.
toner years ago and saved themselves
all the trouble