Evening star., 1921-08-01
Editorial Digest
Hoover's Terms to Russia.

Blaming the famine and starvation
in Russia chiefly on bolshevism. the
majority OF the press takes the view
that no relief should be extended by
America unless the conditions laid
down by Herbert Hoover. including
release Of all American prisoners In
most Of the writers do not go as far
publican), which thinks the "cry for
food and clothing" will fall coldly
upon the good people Of America"
some question the sincerity of the ap-
peal. the Baltimore American (re-
publican). for instance. declaring that
the Hoover reply will Smoke out"
the bolshevists. determining 'the real
extent" Of the famine and the stead
fastness of bolshevik priciple."
The Johnstown Democrat (demo-
cratio) objects to the "non-inter-
course" policy. but expresses satisfac-
tion that all other 'pretexts have
been dropped" except the demand for
release of American prisoners. Mean
of Russian babies are dying Of hum
GER" one reason for which 10 the
fact that the country has not been
able to convert it's resources into
manufactured products because Of the
blockade.
roi lHe IltSL part IHe papers ues
mand the release Of Americans imme
diately. Until that is done" says the
Baltimore Sun Undependent demo-
catic) 'Gorky has no right to expect
us to come to the aid of his country"
and ''if he has any influence with the
authorities or with the Russian peo-
pie, he should exert it, so that these
Americans may be released"
The Brooklyn Eagle independent
demo:ratic) points out that the say
ing Of a million children should de-
pend on SO small a matter seems ter
rible, but the principle involved is
not a minor one. What Mr.. Hoover
wants. and what he has right TO
demand. is that the soviet authorities
make 1t possible for American aid to
reach the starving Russians regard
less of the effect upon the political
fortunes of the communist party. II
Lenin does not accede to this demand
he will bear full responsible for
the consequences. which will ulti-
mately prove his undoing."
If this is accomplished and the
political system" of Russia, "fasten-
ed upon her people by red terrorism" )"
is destroyed, the New York Tribune
(republican) believes that the hun
ger makers" will be removed. This
will be the greatest aid" although
TO save the innocent children is a
work Of humanity that Is ''peremptory
under any circumstances"
The Philadelphia Record (inde-
pendent democratic) finds Mr.. Hoovers
conditions fair and reasonable" but
is not sure whether the Russians can
be trusted to keep their word. AT
any rate" 1t concludes. sit is interest
ing to see that the bolshevists, who
are going to make the world over
into paradise. are obliged to appeal
to the most 'capitalistic and demo-
cratic nations for means of escape
from starvation and typhoid
The Chattanooga Times Unde-
the response from this country will
be liberal and prompt" if assurances
are satisfactory. but it will be ex-
pected that whatever is sent is to be
dispensed by honest and sympathetic
agents and not by hirelings of a
and despotism. bad faith and indif-
ference to the sufferings of the help
less and unfortunate.' Looking at
the proposition in a similar light. the
Newark News independently feels
that "Mr. Hoover is safeguarding
relief and the Russian people by max
authorities"
Doubt that TIE scheme can or will
oe carried out is seen In the opinions
Of the Buffalo Times (democratic) and
the Knoxville Journal and Tribune
(republican). The former reminds
it's readers that "six months ago the
American relief organization made the
same offer which il does now. But
the soviet government preferred TO
let the children starve and the sick
suffer rather than give the necessary
guarantees" viii they comply with
the conditions now, asks the News. or
do they prefer to cling to the arro-
gance which perpetuates the starva-
tion which bolshevist misrule has
caused?" The Journal and Tribune is
even less sure. THE same parties
seem to be remaining in power. eXer-
cising power. that brought starvation
to the country. Would those who are
exercising authority permit food to
go to the starving-they themselves
would take the food, as they. too, are
hungry"
Common decency" is the only price
the soviets have to pay for the food
they need, says the Philadelphia Pub
lie Ledger independently. and "if they
are willing to give the necessary guar
antees. America will again turn to the
weary job of saIvaging still another
people. But there must be decent
treatment for those who face the hor-
rors We cannot afford to ask less.'
Not only change of heart but a
change of government as well is Sug-
gested by the Pittsburgh Gazette (re-
publican), which declares that "hu-
manity will require that Russia gets
all the aid she needs and will permit
her suffering people to receive 1t, but
relief will come more quickly if it
is preceded by a political change In
liberty of action as should prevail
N dApoorrooyp