The Washington herald., 1921-01-03
The fool that eats until he is sick must
fast till he is well-Thornbury
Rumors of New Wars.

sheVist activities in the Baltic area. 1t is
Said that Red troops are being concentrated on
hers OF both Esthonia and Latva and that nten-
s1Te pro-Soviet propaganda is being made in both
Reval and Riga.
1t IS predicted that within three months the
three states, Lithuania, including Vilna now occu-
pied by the Poles under Zelgowsk; Iatvia and
Esthonia, will become like Ukrainia Azerbaijan and
Armenia members of the Soviet confederation 1t
IS interesting to in this connection that there
are fewer rumors of Boshevist invasion of
Poland and that the majority of the stories of new
Red activities emanate from Paris
In attempting to discover the significance of
these rumors there number of things to be
considered: In the first place, the Bolshevks are
not the only ones who would like to gain control
over the western windows of Russia"
The British, realizing the Importance of
these Baltic ports, which will be tremendously in
creased with the resumption OF trade with Russia,
have attempted to gain a permanent preponderance
OF influence through financial agreements designed
to stabilize the local governments and to secure
British monopoly of local industries British goods
have for some time been finding their way to
Russia by way Of Esthonia.
The Soviet government is naturally not una
ware OF the importance to Russia OF the control Of
these countries and communist propagandsts have
been active there for long time
Poland too, is by no means dsinterested Zell-
gowsk's Wilma expedition had for its ultimate aim
the formation of Polish confederacy which should
embrace Poland, the Wilma area and Lithuania
proper Fear that Polish imperialism would not
stop with this has caused the Latvia government
to announce that it would come to the aid of Iith-
uania in the latter is attacked BY ZeIIgowski
or by Poland.
If one may Judge the temper OF country BY
erIa,,z a.
Baltic states bitterly opposed to BoIshevism
they fearful Of Polish aggression. At the same
time both Soviet Russia and Poland are suspiciouslv
anxious to the role OF protector of their
less powerful neighbors
1t would appear, then, that what these rumors
really signify is that either Russa or Poland, or
perhaps both, preparing ito intervene" course
Of action which they will defend as necessary
measure of defense.
Poland and her ally France, would view with
the greatest alarm Soviet control of the Baltic
states, which would outfank Poland and give Rus
sis and Germany common frontier
The Bolshevih would view with an equal de-
gree OF alarm any move by Poland which would
place Russias western outlet in the hands of an
unfriendy power.
In the meantime the Lithuanians, Latvians
and Esthonians confronted with the prospect
OF being obliged to defend themselves against the
vastly superior forces of their oversoIcitous neigh
hors or Of making alliance with one or the other
of them
How great the danger or how immediate it is
impossible to say, but 1t is perfectly obvious that
al the elements for full-sized war are present in
this situation.
What the nations of the world which are
not directly involved do to Europe from being
brought nearer to disaster by another war; Indi-
vidually they do very little, but collectively
they have the power to force the nations involved
70 listen reason.
II is such situation this that brings out
how Intellectual would be any efforts of ours which
we might make under the plans advanced as sub
stitutes for participation in the league of ma
tions.
The scheme advocated by Colonels Harvey and
Bryan would not apply, since the war, if 1t comes
will be defensive on both sides
declaration OF policy such as that promised
by Senator Knox-"that the freedom and peace of
Europe being again threatened by any power or
combination OF pow the United States will re-
gard such a situation with grave concern as a
menace to its own peace end freedom and will con-
suit with other powers affected with view to
dsvising for the removal OF such menace
might we'll bring forth reply like that Clemen-
ceau is said to have made 10 our representative
regarding Fiume-"The Americans are charming
but they far away When you have gone the
Italians Cor m this case the Poles or the Bolshe-
Wiki remain, and our neighbors"
The only agency which might exert effective
pressure Poland and Soviet Russia is the league
Whether it has. it is constituted today, sufficient
power to compel peace and secure the continued
independence of the Baltic states is questionable
but II is certain that the United States men,
Der both the leagues and our influence for the
preservation of peace would be considerably greater
than It is today.