The Washington times., 1921-03-27

A, IN your neighDorhoOo,
gigantic mammoth were waving
Its trunk, digging up the ground
with its tusks, stamping. rolling,
killing, and trumpeting, you would
be interested. If some one told you
the elephantine creature was dy-
ing, others that it was turning
into beautiful, beneficient, sweet,
and gentle creature. you would be
moro interested.
Russia Ms that mammoth, going
through tantrums that we don't
understand. Some say, Don't 20
near the creature. It's murderous,
dangerous, and soon must die, kill
ed by its own fury"
Others say, "It's a large-hearted
creature, has recently shed its
skin, throwing of autocracy, and
now is taking on beautiful self
government. Give it a chance;
treat it kindly"
England, needing trade, worry
ing about Russian activity in India
and elsewhere, has decided to make
friends. commercially at FEAST,
with the great Muscovite monster.
Who knows but it may have valu-
able things to sell?
The United States decides to
keep away. Russia is told she
must give up Communism, stop
killing people; in short, prove her
virtue before virtuous Uncle Sam
will have anything to do with her.
She replies, Suppose / asked
you to give up the Baptist Church,
which you like, and to give up
lynching, which seems to interest
you; what would you reply"
So far as the United States is
concerned, England may have, all
to herself, Russian trace if there
be any Russian trade, or Russian
disappointment if the thing
proves a failure
This country, grown rich and
conservative, treats the Russian
effort at self-government as the
countries Of Europe treated
France after her revolution
until France beat them all and
compelled respect.
Just why the United States
should tell Russia how to run her
own government is not clear.
We do not need the enmity Of
Russia. II she ever Joined with
Japan In an attack on this coun-
try, It would be uncomfortable.
The English are wiser trades
men than their American 'cous-
ins." IL Russia has nothing worth
while To sell, or can't pay for what
she wants to buy, England will
have lost nothing except railroad
. and steamboat fare for aFfew rep-
resentatives. II Lenin is able to
deliver, at reduced prices, the
great wealth of Russia's mines
and fields. it will be good thing
for England, rather foolish for the
United States.
This country makes a serious
mistake in antagonizing a nation
greater than itself, in territory and
in population, although not as
great in wealth or energy.
We might refuse to trade with
Russia, II that is the decision OF
bankers and other gentlemen that
decide the foreign policy OF this
country. But we ought to do 1t po-
litely, as courteousIy as a banker
refusing to extend a loan. No
banker would say, even to the
meanest borrower, go home,
wash your face, put On a decent
suit of clothes, and then I'll talk
to you"
But that Is how the United
States Government talks to Rus
sia. And that is foolish.
Fortunately, it is more probable
that this particular Russian gov
ernment will not last. 1t is based
on theory, and a theory of govern
ment that could never suit any di-
vision of the hun IN race.
At this stage OF society, in which
men work only in hope OF personal
gain, q theory of no private owner
ship is preposterous. 1t isn't even
probable, so fanatic are these Rus
sian rulers, that acquisition Of
wealth and power will change
them.
Russia is the only country in
which such a government based on
pure theory could last for three
wears. Russia, with her two hun
dred thousand villages OF peaceful,
ignorant people, is like a great,
dull, quiet COW, not rebellious,
easy to drive. And Russia is a
country made up Of such strange
thought, and strange personalities,
that almost anything may happen
there for awhile.
One of Russia's most famous
writer's, Merejkovski. wrote little
hook called "The Menace of the
Mob" recently translated in this
country. 1t is important only as
illustrating Russian queerness.
To begin with, Merejkovsk says
nothing at all about The Mob"
That is quite Russian.
II "The Menace of the Mob"