Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-07-26
DYING RUSSIA

THE blend of sympathy, irmness and fair
l. play which characterizes Herbert
Hoover's reply to Maxim Gorky's appeal for
famine relief in Russia reduces the intri-
cacy Of tragic problem to Its elements.
The charge Of American indifference to
Russian misery is as persistent as It Is
baselcss Mr.. Hoover, speaking not as a
Government official but as director of the
American Relief Association, stipulates, II
is true, terms to be accepted before min
istration begins. But his conditions are
such as are necessary to the execution of an
enlightened concept of compassion and JUS
tice.
The sine qua non," in the words Of the
Secretary Of Commerce, "must be the i'm
mediate release of the Americans now held
prisoners in Russia This demand quite
properly seeks to place the negotiations upon
the only basis that can be productive Of
practical results. Maxim Gorky's pathetic
appeal is made upon his own responsibility
and is not an official act Of the Soviet
Government.
The request which the Relief Administra-
tion makes of the Moscow regime is precisely
similar in general principles to that to which
other distressed nations, recipients Of Amer
lean generosity, heartily agreed. Mr.. Hoover
calls for n direct statement to the relief
for freedom of movement and organization
of the various agencies that would be set in
motion in Russia. non interference of the
Soviet Government with all members of the
commissions and he promised in return "a
frank and free undertaking. without regard
to creed race or social status" and the
complete abstention of the relief ENJOYS
from all political activities.
In the highest degree impressive is the
pledge of MD in the form of food. clothing
and medical supplies to 900 900 children in
Russia. "as rapidly as organization could
be Effected
1t is for the Soviet rulers to choose
whether they will deal honestly and fnirly
with Mr.. Hoover or whether their obstinaCy
will shut the doors Of mercy. The Cmer-
gcnCy today is one which cannot be met with
trihing or evasion Heretofore. under the
Communist regime, most Of the ills of Rus
sia have been due to dsorganizatiOn. They
have been man-made
Nature now intrudcs a grim and terrible
hand. The drought in some of the normally
most fertile regions of Russia has created
conditions similar TO those which heralded
the ghastly famines of 1873 and 1891.
In the face of n repetition of such trage-
dies rejection of the wholly equitable terms
proposed by Mr.. Hoover may mean the ex =
termination of millions of innocent and hap
less human beings.
Americans are naturally inclined to be-
lieve that much OF the existing Russian
prejudice against the United States W..
vanish once the machinery of relief is set
in motion. The prospect is appealing as
forecasting the downfall of the Communist
fallacy. But such considerations are now
not paramount.
L., thn pnut mt nh RnG
sia is dying. America, typited by such
great private agencies as the Relief Admin
istration. the Red Cross and other charitable
organizations, is earnestly eager to accom-
plish its utmost to avert the catastrophe
| The optional courses presented to Moscow
are those of simple humanity or of infatuated
cruelty and barbariSL