The Washington times., 1921-09-23

is a rational and generous act that
deserves full appreciation.
An Enthusiastic Communist.
1t also indicates that the State
Department Is not absolutely rigid in
Its attitude, since Chaliapin, besides
being a great singer, is also appar-
emily an enthusiastic Communist. At
least that impression has gained be-
lief although only from the way he
has thrown himself into singing un-
der government auspices.
The Soviet government was COM
PEELED to treat Chaliapin we'll. in or
der to keep the irascible artist in
the proper mood for cheering up
thousands of hungry and ragged
hearers. He is a person who de.
mands what he wants under any
government.
II he does come over here 1t will
be interesting to see what auspices
he sings under. The relief associa.
ton would be the best II it made no
conditions. but II it did made con-
ditions the singer would doubtless
blow up Immediately.
The Quakers could undoubtedly get
on with him, as they get on with
everybody. The important thing is
not the auspices. 1t Is to save as
many Russians as possible as soon
as possible.
Britain Less Tolerant.
Nevertheless 1t is wise to pay some
attention to public psychology. If
Chaliapin wants to do the best he
can for his starving countrymen he
will not sing under the auspices of
any Communist or semi Communist
group in America.
That would be to introduce poll.
tics, from his end, into what ought
to be a cause too big for any con-
except human sympathy.
He is coming, il he does come, to a
country where Communism is wholly
negligible, and 1t Is his business to
appear in a way that will appeal to
the large. wholesome heart of the
whole people, not to the fanaticism
of a handful.
We get out of this Chaliapin mat.
ter with moro comfort than the
British. Although the British have
been much more tolerant than we
have on the subject of Russia in
general. somebody In the Home Of
flee held up Chaliapin's passport.
Immediately there was a howl Of
derision and contempt from the lib
eral and labor elements. The Gov.
ernment had no intention Of support.
ing the functionary who had made
the misplay. So 1t announced through
the Home Office that II Chaliapin
wished a reconsideration it could
he was coming over in order to sing
for relief.
Thus has been illustrated once
more the noble science Of face-saving.
1t makes possible many good acts
which otherwise the human being,
homo -Sapiens, would be too proud
to perform.
On the relief administration, even
more than on the State Department,
depends the question Of whether our
record in Russia, after being so long
pedantic and cruelty obstructive, Is
at last to become modest and hope
full.
The first steps of the relief admins.
tration. as far as the dispatches throw
light on the situation. deserve ap-
proval. They seem to have been husi-
and without any mixture of
politics. II they remain like that. the
American people will have a medium
for doing much human good and atom
ing for their share in prolonging the
agony.
One thing for which the relief asso.
citation specifically deserves approval
Is in its agreement with the Soviet
government not to take in any ex.
patriated Russians without its con.
sent. To allow any role whatever to
the little bands of propagandists in
Paris. Washington and New York |
would he fatal at the start.
There are broad-minded Russians,
like Alexander Berkenkeim and many
others. who could be of large con-
structive assistance, but II would be
foolish to try to get any Of them in
until the Lenin action Of the Bolshe.
viks is ready to invite them.