The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1921-03-31

statements concerning Russia which
come from outside sources. We have nc
doubt that the actual condition of affairs
in Russia is we'll known to the diplomats,
that coterie of men who not only direct
the immediate action of Great Britain,
but who, as far as is humanity possible,
shape it's destines. 1t is said, and it is
probably true, that Great Britain has
opened trade relations with the Soviet
government, which indicates that the
full recognition of that mob of thieves and
murderers as being sovereign govern
ment is, to follow. 1t indicates that Lloyd
George, Sir Robert Cecil, and other
prominent Englishmen are of the opinion
that Russia is to be under Soviet control
for some time. 1t indicates, too, and not
for the first time, that Great Britain's
bump of acquisitiveness is much larger
than her bump of national morality. She
cannot turn from the lure of the gold
ruble even if it was stolen.
More than three years ago Lenine and
Trotzky, compared with whom Herod and
Robespierre were humane and gentle
creatures, assumed control of the Rus
sian bolsheviki. Their followers are an
inconsidersble part of the population of
Russia, but at an opportune moment they
seized the reins of government and have
held them by cunning, force and savagry.
England proposes to sell supplies to this
raging, remorseless mob. That, however,
is her business, not ours.
1t is said that Soviet Russia has re-
Gently asked the United States to open
our markets for mutual trade. Wheth-
er such overtures were also made last
summer we do not know, but it is
gust, Mr.. cambridge Colby, then Secre-
tary of State, in an official noJe to the
Italian ambassador, made plain the posi-
ton of our government in regard to the
Soviet government of Russia. We believe
Secretary Hughes will endorse this note
without crossing or dotting an i. Mr..
Colby's note is so logical, so commend
able and so thoroughly American that
we print the major part of it, as fol-
lows:
at is not possible for the Government
of the United States to recognize the
present rulers of Russia as Government
with which the relations common to
friendly Governments can be maintained.
k1 4
any particular political or social structure
which the Russian people themselves may
see fit to embrace. It rests upon wholly
different set of facts. These facts, which
none disputes, have convinced the Gov
eminent of the United States, again It its
will, that the existing regime in Russia
is based upon the negation of every prin-
cipie OF honor and good faith, and every
usage and convention underlying the
whole structure of international law, the
upon which it is possible to base har-
monious and trustful relations, whether
of nations or of individuals.
SIN the view of this Government, there
cannot be any common ground upon which
it can stand with Power whose concep-
tons of international relations are SO en-
tirely alien to it's own, so utterly repug-
nant to its moral sense. There can be no
mutual confidence or trust, no respect
even, if pledges are to be given and agree
ments made with cynical repu iation
of their obligations already in the mind
of one of the parties. We cannot recog-
nize, hold official relations WITH or give
friendly reception to the agents of Gov
eminent which is determined and bound
to conspire against our institutions; whose
diplomats will be the agitators of danger
GUS revolt; whose spokesman say that
they sign agreements with no intention
of keeping them"