The Washington herald., 1921-01-17
Bakhmeteff to Encourage
Kerensky Men in Paris,
Vile Learns.
PLANS TO ATTEND
ANTI-SOVIET TALK
Official Opinion in U. S.
Still Backs Ambassador,
Writer Says.
BY FREDERIC WILLIAM VILE.

President Harding's administra-
tion will perpetuate the wilson
Colby policy Of nonrecognition OF
the Soviet Socialist Republic of
Russia"
Assurances to mat effect, believed
to be thoroughly Trustworthy, will
be taken to Paris this week by Bo-
ris Bakhmetef. Russian Ambassa-
dor to the United States since July
5, 1917. and still acknowledged by
the Department of State as the Of
fciaI diplomatic representative of
the Russian democracy. Bakhmeteft
sails from New York on January
20 to attend the conference Of for
mer members of the Kerensky gov
ernment and Constituent Assembly
that held power in Russia when the
Bolshevists came upon the scene in
November. 1917.
Lacks Formal Pledges.
The Russian Ambassador has, of
course. received no formal pleges
either from Harding or anyone au-
thOrized to speak for him. His con-
fdence that the new Administration
like its predecessor. will continue
to regard the Lenine-Trotzky re-
Eime a pariah among the nations is
derived from wholly unofficial
quarters. They are nevertheless OF
a character that will induce Bakh-
metef to give his political friends
in Paris reassuring news.
l.
cOnspicuOusIy mentioned for the in
coming seCretaryship of state, Is
believed to hold reCOgnitionist
,ews as far as the Reds are con-
CPrned. II is known in certain mi
tiated quarters that before and
since Harding's election, a persist
rnt drive" was made on Repub-
lean leaders to reverse the Russian
policy enunciated in the Colby note
Of August 10. Up to a few weeks
ago there seemed some danger the
drive" would accomplish its pur-
pose. Today it would appear to have
run its futile course.
The state Department within the
past week has been made fully &C
UUainted with the underlying pur-
pose Of the Paris conference of Rus
sian Democrats. Among these. as in
the ephemeral Kerensky govern
ment. all wings of Russian liberal
ism are represented. The "construc-
tive socialists" expect to dominate
the proceedings. Their policy for the
rehabilitation of Russia is based
upon the demonstrated folly of try
ing to smash Sovietism by organ
lied military means.
The constructive socialists" are
convinced the internal collapse of
Bolshevism is certain, if not immi-
nent. Their prophecies to that end
hitherto, they concede, have not ma
terialiZed, but they claim Soviet Of
ficial admissions now oOzing out of
Moscow indicate Lenine knows the
jig is up.
Knows Jig Is Up.
He is Drawing it through to the
bitter end. but, realizing Bolshe-
vfsm utterly has failed to grip the
Imagination and support of the Rus
sian peasantry, understands it is
doomed The constructive social
lists" expect a bitter fight at Paris
with men who are for clothing Ger
many or other powers with a man
date to wade in and annihilate So
vietism at the bayonet's point and
cannon's mouth. Against such pro-
posaIs the constructive socialists
will point to the successive fates of
Denekin,. Judenitch, KOlchak, and
wrangel. They hope to win the day
for their policy of watchful waiting.
Action Planned.
Meantime it is not proposed anti
Bolshevist Russians throughout the
world shall remain inert. 1t is
hoped to establish before the meet
ings at Paris are over a great cen
tral committee. which shall in no
sense be a Russian government in
exile. but a rallying ground and in
teIIigence service rolled into one. 1t
will keep a vigilant eye on every de-
yeIopment affecting Russia within
or abroad. 1t will observe and seek
to guide public opinion outside of
Russia along lines best calculated
to restore the truly democratic re-
r-ime which Lenine and his associ-
ated German agents destroyed. 1t
will so mold it's activities that,
when the time comes, there will be
an organized nucleus of Russian
patriots ready for instant action at
Moscow and Petrograd.
Spring Campaign"
Perhaps, while the Russian demo
cratic leaders still are assembled in
Paris, the Soviet may have essayec
its mOoted spring campaign"
against Poland. Roumania or both,
In the best-informed Washington
circles, Russian as well as American
new military operations by Trotsky's
army would be Interpreted as sign
of Bolshevist weakness rather than
of strength. They would be under
taken. it is thought, as a measure
Of desperation to bolster up a tot
tering political structure by appeal
ing to the nationalistic and patriotic
passions of d populacea gradually
being undeceived as to the blessings
Of Red communism.
Bakhmeteh will return1to Wash =
inzton al the end of February, leav-
ing the Russian embassy in Six
teenth street.-The handsomest and
most commodioUs diplomatic estao-
Iishment in the capital-in charge OF
Henry de Bach, counselor. The Am
bassador is leaving the United
states apparently quite unRsrtureed
nv certain Senatorial alarifns as to
the "irregularity" of a Russian, en-
bassy that speaks for No exissing
Russian government. "a
Attitude Here.
The attitude of the State Depart
nent, in according the Bakhmeteff n
mission recognition, would seem rc