Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1921-01-29
Editorial Digest
Allied Neutrality Toward Russia.

Allied Neutrality Toward Russia.
President Wilson's latest note on Ar
menia. involving as it does the whole
Russian question, has given rise to
wide range OF newspaper comment. TO
some the document proves. in the words
OF the Louisville Courier-Journal (demo-
cratic), that ''he Is still a leader. while
others agree with the Chicago tribune
independent republican,. that. since II
was signed by member OF the state De-
partment and is thus "a part or our
foreign policy" it Is ''prcsumptuous 10
the point of insolence.''
The main issue raised in the note,
most OF the writer's agree, is the EN-,
phasis on a Glands Off" policy toward
Russia as Il whole. not merely that part
OF 1t which affects Armenia. 10 tnis
theory the Springfield Republican I'm
dependency gives it's unqualified support:
1t comes mt II time when the RussiaH
policy that the allies have hitherto pur,
sued has ignominiousy broken down ana
an effort is being made to agree upon
substitute. No better substitute mas
been proposed than the one when MI
Wilson advocates"
Unless the "'menace Of invasion Is
removed from the Russian people,
communism cannot be overthrown. the
Brooklyn Eagle independent demo,
cratic) declares. and the allies "snouio
follow the lines laid down by Presl-
dent Wilson" for q unified Russian
policy" The Presidents utterance
which the Worcester Telegram Gre
publican) thinks is "likely to rank as
one OF the clearest. most rational ana
most convincing" of his writings. pre-
sents solution of the Armenian ques-
ton. and the problem of the peoples
without and within the borders OF the
new Russia. which cannot but appear
to the student. the sociologist and the
taxpayer-however it may impress the
nervous chancelleries. The Chatta-
nooga News (democratic) is another
newspaper which thinks this most
the President again into the posi-
ton Of world leadership" for. IF ms
views are adopted, he will become
vital factor in the general peace move
ment."
The "homely but convincing princi-
pie that if the bolsheviki are given
enough rope they will hang them
selves" is the basis. the Memphis
Comm (democratic) con-
siders for the Presidents suggestions.
He would treat Russia in much the
same way" it remarks "as he treated
Mexico, and, if his advice be followed.
it is hoped. with equal success, TOT
1.-THE President is absolutely correct
both in his diagnosis and his prog
nosis." The Boston Post Gndepend..
ent emocratic) finds his doctrine SOUND
statesmanshjp. and the Philadelphia i.
that it analyses with perfect accuracy
the cause OF conditions in the near east.
Such strategy" as the President
suggests, the New York Globe (lnde-
sponsibility for renewed hostility on
Lenin, would bring France and ia
pan to heel" would strengthen the
moderate parties in Russia" and give
peace to the Balkan states ana 70
land
take quite a different view OF the
matter The Detroit Free Press dn-
dependent) does not accept the hands
off" idea without criticism: Taken
with it's context. this conveys the I'M
preston that Mr.. Wilson Is rather
rious conglomeration Of the theory of
watchful waiting and the sacredness
of the doctrine of the status quo as
taught in article x of the league. He
condemns the bolshevist regime as
something evil. but advocates guar
side assault. Altogether. his program
is a pretty example of opportunism."
The "digressions" from the question
Of Armenia itself. in the opinion OF
the Buffalo Express (independent re-
publican). with regard to the bolshe-
Wiki and Turks "are the circles within
circles by which President Wilson's
letter completes the whole round OF
futility." The Boston Herald dnde-
pendent republican, finds "the dis.
patch an exercise in non sequiturs"
leaving Armenia in the lurch."
The Albany Knickerbocker Press
(republican) and the Canton News
(democratic) agree that the reds come
of too easy under Wilson's plan. for.
as the former puts it, while the
President is seeking assurances pref
atory to his Armenian task, he might
ask for some from Moscow .,
Unable to see the logic of Mr.. Will
sons action, the Baltimore News Gn-
|dependent) suggests that perhaps the
President is really simply permitting
the allies to refuse his cooperation
| by slayine down impossible terms"
The Manchester Union independent
republican,. which admits d that the
cans. feels that, il read from the
viewpoint Of London or Paris. "it has
! = far-eff sound and quality"