New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1921-09-29
Siberian Integrity
John Spargo Sanguine of the Out
come of Russia's Evolution

NOluC vi ltuSSI0 Evolution
To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: In your issue of September 81
you published an editorial criticizinc
the reply of Secretary Hughes to the
request of the Fer Eastern Republic in
Siberia for representation at the
Washington conference. May l be per
mltted to state that this editorial
manifests curious lack of under
standing of the real problem? I sus-
pect that the explanation lies in the
tear, expressed in it's concluding para
graph, that cZarism is likely to be re-
stored in Russia, that we are likely to
be confronted with future Russian
Empire as bad as the old one, or even
worse | confess that I do not see
the slightest reason for anticipating
any such outcome of the evolution of
Russia. The restoration of czarism
seems to me to be quite as unthinkable
as the permanent continuance of Boil
shevisS communism.
AS one who has taken a keen in
terest in the subject of our relations
with Russia, l was delighted to read
the reply of the Far Eastern Republic.
In particular, welcomed the announce
ment OF the doctrine that "the protec-
ton Of legitimate Russian interests
must deVolve as a moral trusteeship
upon the whole conference"
rNt
ever been enunciated by any nation. You
say that it "will doubtless be welcomed
by the Soviets." This may we'll be
true, for after all the Bolshevjst
regime has managed to last so long.
partly at any rate, because it has more
or less vigorously expressed the new
iy awakened Russian consciousness of
nationality. This is admitted by prac.
tlcally every competent observer. in.
GLIDING the most bitter opponents of
Bolshevism.
1t may be, and probably is, true that
the Soviets will welcome this doctrines
1t is equally true that it has been en-
Enthusiastically acclaimed by all those
Russians who are leading the struggle
against Bolshevism. This l can assert
as an UNREASONABLE fact. There is
not one among the well known leaders
OF the democratic anti-Bolshevis st
forces who would hesitate to express
his unqualified approval of the doc
trlne and his profound gratitude to
SocrPfHTU e.
Moreover, nothing could better serve
to defeat the efforts of the Bolsheyiki
to create in the minds of the masses
OF the Russian people the feeling that
"capitalistic America" is harborinr SOL
fish and sinister designs against
Russia as a nation.
May / add to this brief word Of dis
sent from your editorial brief ex-
preston Of my opinion that the position
taken by Secretary Hughes is the
logical outcome of realistic apprecia-
tlon of the fundamentals of American
foreign policy? There could be no
graver menace to the cardinal oh
Jectives of our historic and traditional
foreign policy than the intrenchment
OF japan in Eastern Siberia. With the
utmost friendship and good will for
Japan and an earnest desire to see
her prosper as a nation, and with a
1uli recognition Of her RIGHT to aspire
to the leadership of Asia, | neverthe-
less believe that it is of fundamental
Importance for the peaceful develop
ment of the world that Siberia remain.
and be rapidly and extensively de-
velsped as, center OF Western, nom
Asiatic civilization.
1t is even more important to the
United States than it is to Russia
herself that the immense stretch of
territory between central Europe and
the Pacific seabcard be maintained
under the sovereignty of single
Western state friendly to America. as
the new Russia cannot fail to be.
JOHN SPARGO.
Old Bennington, VT, Sept. 81. 1921.