The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1921-11-20
CASE Of RUSSIA
b|GPRObLEMAT
ARMS MEETING
Role Nation ls to Play in Both
Europe and Asia Sure to
Come Up.
BY FRANK CHARLTON,
News Service Foreign News
Editor,

BY FRANK CHARLTON,
International News Service Foreign News
Editor.
One international problem bearing
upon the Far East, but not included
In the official aSenda had begun 10
cast an ominous shadow over the arms
conference last night. It 10 Russia.
Russia forms the background against
which important phases Ut the Asiatic
Question must be discussed after the
delegates have finished with matters
that deal exclusively with China.
30 far only two concrete subjects
have come before the conference:
1-Limitation Of naval ornaments;
3-China and China's ten proposals
for the re-estabiishment Of her abso-
lutte territorial. political. and econo-
mic integrity.
The United States has included
Siberia upon the aSsnda, leaving the
subject open for the Introduction OF
ell angles Of discussion. This would
open the door to consideration OF
Russia's future place among the
powers having vital interests on the
Pacific.
Russia Outlsw Nation.
America does not want to take up
any purely European question Of \
political, territorial or economic
aspect at this conference. and Sscre-
tary Hughes. in bringing up Russia 3
relationship to the Far East problem
showed diplomatic astuteness In writ
ing It down in the agenda Siberia in
stead of Russia.
Russia has already begun to strug-
gle to her feet through her own Of.
forts. Tho only help she has re-
ceived from the outside world has
been food relief for her famine suf-
ferers.
In an official sense Russia is an
outlaw nation. Her government at
Moscow has not been recognised by
the United States or any other Of the
powers. Consequently she was not in
ference. nor has she ever been ad-
mitted to the League of Nations. Her
only direct dealings With the allied
powers since the creation Of the
soviet government about four years
ago has been when she sent out some
circular notes.
One of these notes dealt with the
soviet's willingness to recognize tina
old csarist foreign debt set UP In 1914
II the allies called q conference to con-
slider recognition Of the Moscow gov
eminent. Another warned the powers
that Russia would not be bound by
any decisions Of the Washington con-
ference affecting Russia's interests.
May Como Up Monday.
Indirect reference to the part Russia
10 playing now and the role she is
likely to play in the future In both
European and Asiatic affairs y likely
to be made In the plenary session of
the conference Monday. The future
position Of Russia AZ a whole power.
with her interests covering the whole
northern half Of the Asiatic continent,
may be discussed by the delegates In
con siderable detail before the confer
ence Is many days older.
European statesmen. wro formerly
referred contemporary to tho Mos
COW government as one that was
altered their views to a large extent.
The Soviet has shown itself agEres-
sive in the protection Of Russia's ma.
tional interests and has negotiated
close treaties Of alliance with all the
surrounding small friendly states. The
populati ton of more than 100000 600
puts In the SoHet:s hands an instru-
ment Of vast potential military power.
Poland in Peril.
European statesmen, do not fear
that Russia will become q second
CHINA great. helpless giant-al-
though there has been talk of an inter
national trusteeship for Siberia until
Russian government Is established
that is stable and recognized by the
outside powers" What many allied
statesmen really fear IL an alliance be-
tween Russia and Germany which not
only would help each commercially,
but might pledge mutual military aid.
Such an alliance would put Poland In
grave peril.