Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1921-05-13
FAR EASTERN RUSSIA.

have represented US in the British capital.
FAR EASTERN RUSSIA.
'"rhe Constituent Assembly Of tn. Rennhu. a = ~.
Far East" has addressed a moving appeal to the Tinted
states FOR aid and sympathy. The communication sets
1ortn That the people of that emote section of Asia have
established for themselves a government based upon the
PRINCIPLES OF freedom, similar in ideals to our own, and
urgently in need of the support which can be given from
tne outside. 1t is asserted that the territory over which
this governmental organization holds sway has been clear
eo o ( internal disturbers. is established upon principles
entirely different from those which govern in soviet Rus
saa' and that its people desire only an opportunity to
~ork out their own salvation in their own way, in free
dom from the complications which a connection with
western Russia would impose upon them.
The government established in this trritorv IL as
stated oecioediy Inherent from that which has it's head
quarters at Moscow. The principles of Bolshevism have
no part in it. 1t is haced upon the conception OF the
right of the individual to his independence Of action
consistent with the interests Of all his fellow citizen. and
OF his right to be represented in whatever governmental
state.
As between soviet Russia and the government which
mas III headquarters at Vladivostok, there can be no cues
non as to where the sympathies of the American people
are. The soviet administration is autocratic and tyran-
meal and its very existence is based on the denial of
many OF the fundamental rights of man. Toward that
government we can entertain no sentiment other than a
desire that it be mended or ended. In its present form
it is an abomination: -E
1t does not follow however, that because We do mot
approve OF the autocracy established by Ienine and Trotz-
ky, We should recognize as an established roxernmer+
whatever organization happens to be created in onpou-
ton TO the Bolshev1k system. 1t may be that the interests
OF the world will demand that Russia be divided ultimately
into several independent nations. Territorially,.an and in
population 1t is large enough to make several nations.
but whether this division should take place or MOI, and
il so, along what lines, are matters which can not be
determined by outsiders; and those inside are surrounded
oS so many complications that it does not seem possible
Tor them just now to reach a decision which is likely to
stand. The recognition Of a nation is a thing Of some i'm
portance. 1t would be folly to recognize one government
TO-DAY and another tomorrow, each claiming Jurisdiction
over the same territory. Before a government can Justly
claim recognition it must give some evidence of sta bi,itv
and that evidence is not yet forthcoming with reference
to any part of Russia.
II the communication addressed to our government,
the term self determination appears. That phrase like
the corresponding one. consent of the government >" v..
we'll intended and expresses a principle of undeniab BILE
value put both terms have been distorted and made to
belong where they were never intended to belong. and,
where it is manifest they do not fit. Given the strange
Interpretation which is often attempted, and carried out
logically, the acceptance Of either term would lead inc
vitality to the destruction Of all government of every
kind because II every group which claims the right to
decide absolutely its own political destiny were conceded
that right, it would follow that still smaller roun. must
be recognized in the same manner and the process would
be continued Unfortunately Until there would he nothing
left but the individual, asserting his right to govern him
sell according to his own conception of right and wrong.
and freed entirely from the supervision Of any external:
authority whatever. That of course. is ANARCHY. pure
and simple, and it is to anarchy that the Interpretation
OF these terms which is 80 often made, leads inescapably,
Ihere seems to be no course possible with reference
to Russia other than to occupy an observant attitude: to
give recognition for immediate and pre- ctical Purposes to
governmental organizations exercising jurisdiction over
limited territory, and using their authority at least moder-
ately in accordance with the accepted principles Of civil
ization. and continuing this process until in time there
may be developed a situation in which it will be possible
to arrive at a basis upon which Russia may again be rec
ognized as one great empire or as several smaller indie
pendent states. But in the reaching Of this decision there
must be kept in mind always, not only the interests and
the desires of the residents of the territory Immediately
affected, but also the needs Of world civilization. Both
OF these have their claims. t.E aE3