Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1921-03-31
THURSDAY. MARCH 81. 1921.
Has Russia Reformed?

D -ECENT dispatches from Russia contain
~ amazing revelations. They quote Die
tator Lenine as having announced before
the Tenth lntornatiOnae the failure OF Com
munism as ii has been prcnticed for the past
three years in that country. He is said to
have publicly agreed that world revolution
is no longer 20 be hoped for, and that Rus
sian isolation is no longer to be endured.
He is represented as being willing hence
forward TO deal with ''capitalist' nations
and capitalist governments.
II ali this is true and the statements at
trbuted to Loninc have not been rcpudated
by him or those who profess to speak for
him, the attitude OF the Soviet regime at
the present time is one OF tremendous sig
niicance. To what extent that attitude has
been prompted by internal disorders, do
mestic unrest and actual counter revolution,
il is, OF course impossible TO say But it is
difficult TO believe that the madhousc gov
eminent OF the Bolshevists would have made
any concessions whatever TO the world at
large il il did not feel itself TO he tottcring
at home.
The nations OF the world as President
Wilson declared in his last note dealing with
Russia have no right TO dictate TO the Rus
sian people what their mode Of government
ic TO be. II is the privilege of every autono-
nous people To decide for themselves how
they shall be governed and the people of
Russia must make that decision in their own
way. Bat II is the privilege OF other ma
tions to decide whether or not they will
recognize or have friendly relations with a
government that may not respect treaty OBJ
legations or offer guarantees of its good
faith.
America has exercised its privilege in re
gard 10 the existing government OF Rus
STA. The wilson ~. l& .ration declined to
grant formal re..-g,.tS oii 10 the Bolshcvist
regime because that regime was irresw,n-
, sible, lawless and did not represent the will
\ OF vast majority OF the Russian people.
Nor We're formal trade agreements entered
into with the Soviet government since surl,
agreements IN effect, carried recognition
mo American, however, was Gebarred from
trading with any Russian whose business
seemed desirable
ISL If the Soviet Dictatorship has reformed
however; if it has concluded that il ,nust
show regard for international! ueccucics II
Sit abatcs its propaganda against existing gov
NeTnments OF the world, and finally. hy some
smeans or other, proves Tint il is supported
Shy the mass o1 The Russian people the time
&may not be far distant when America viii
{ deal with il as it deals with the government.
5of other nations
S. These conditions must be complied with
Ebefore the american people viii consent TO
ssthe recognition Of the Soviet government.
sS1 he mere fact that the cunning I.cune NAV
shave adopted new articles OF faith in The
Spresence of an Internationale and may have
slnermitted the world to know what he has
said. is not enough, lie must so farther
.sthan that. The immediate thing for him ia
s.do, 1t would seem, would he To rcasspmbIc
q the Constituent Assembly which he has ont
%lawed and to recognize it rs the actuel gov
4 erning power OF Russia. Should that come
q TO pass and should he maintain his position
\ before That assembly, he would have gone
far toward earning the respect OF the world
Y and the right to its recognition