New-York tribune., 1921-01-01

AS 1920 closes a look backward
provides ample justification for Look
ing forward with hope and conf
dence. In the twelve months most
rapid has been the work of world re-
construction. None of the dire fore
hodings Of year ago has been ver-
fled. Everywhere, except in Rus
sia and the regions cursed by the
Turk, progress has been steadily
made.
The greatest ravages Of the war,
on the material side. did not occur,
as we now see, during htstilities. but
after the signing Of the armisticc.
The morale Of the world then be-
came weak, and with the weakening
came a partial breakdown of the
laborious cooperation which is the
mother of plenty.
Men waited for transforming
miracle, for heaven to drop from
the skies. When it did not arrive
many fell under the spell of the de-
lusion that by making matters worse
they would better themselves. Great
as was the defamation Of man-powc
on the battlefields, the losses to pro-
duction through uneasy discomfort
we're probably greater. A psyche
logical disease was epidemic.
But a favorable turn has occurred.
The danger Of Bolshevism in orig
inal form has practically disap-
po7rsl. Common sense has reas-
ser. its sway. This is probably
the greatest gain Of the year. The
waves of unreso still disturb many
regions, hut they are subsiding.
Even in the land Of it's birth Boil
shevism has wellnigh disappeared.
In its stead has arisen a new and
dangerous autocracy-the old autoc-
racy with a new czar and different
ruling class, but otherwise the old
Russian regime. This, reviving Rus
sia's former marked imperialistic
spirit, has brought clouds on the
Eastern horizon which may break
into a storm in the spring. But this
is a familiar evil. II an attack is
made it will be beaten back. The
best arnor is clear perception Of
what Lenine's Russia now is, for if
there is such perception the plotters
Of Moscow will see the impossibihty
Of q successful onslaught and draw
back. as did the similar Tartar
tyranny Of Cenghls Khan.
Many subordinate problems are
not yet satisfactorily solved. Po-
land is in grave distress. SO is
Czecho-Slovakia. So, also, are Aus
tria, Hungary and Germany to a
less extent. The plight Of Armenia
again under the heel of murderous
conqueror, appeals to universal sym
pathy. Ireland is losing her pros
perity through folly. But in view
Of what has been done during the
last twelve months the next should
see these problems on the way tc
sure settlement.
AT home the year has been marked
by four great events-two political
one social and the fourth economic
The political events are the enYran
cnisement Of women and the remark
able results Of the election. The so
cial event is the establishment O,
prohibition, and the economic even
is the sudden collapse Of an artifcia
BUSINESS structure and a fall o.
prices without precedent. Through
out these changes the diverse ma
cninery of our life has functione.
With amazing efficiency The public
hehavior has been most admirable
and in consequence, having liqui
dated, we now zee the beams Of 70
surning prosperity.
January 1, 1891, may thus b,
s.luted with optimism. Aneric;
faa proved again her ability to TAX.
are Of her vital interests. Our in
s.itutiong have once more been teste,
and have not even bent under th