The New York herald., 1922-05-04
BY SIR GEORGE PAIsH.

CopHt0ht, 1879. bu THE NEW YORK HERALD
GENOA. May 3.--The Russian prob
lem is essentially different from the
problem of reconstructing the other
nations of Europe. Potentially Rus
sia is one of the richest countries in
the world, and if the right course is
now taken it will in the not distant
future rank among the wealthiest and
most prosperous nations.
The other nations OF Europe in
which the problem of reconstruction
is so urgent have no such potentiali-
ties; the possible expansion of their
production and income Is distinctly
limited; and great care must be exer-
cised in order not to overburden them
with debt, especially foreign debt.
ALI Russia needs for recovery Is a
good, honest Government with a
sound policy. and friendly bankers,
such as the United States has en-
joyed and which have helped the
American people to their present high
state OF wellbeing. Given these Rus
sia's future is assured, for her pos
sible production and income are almost
unlimited.
The essential factor in the success
of any nation is character, and the
character Of the people Of Russia is
Geservedly high. They are hard work
ing. intelligent, honest and religious.
Tie character of Russia's autocratic
Government has been sometimes mis-
taken for that of the Russian people.
The governments Of nations In a con-
d;tion of servitude are proverbially
corrupt, and the bulk of the Russian
people until quite recent times were
serfs. whose labor was employed
largely for the enrichment of few.
who lived in a state of great luxury.
Great Progress Made.
Since the grant of their freedom a
little over half a century ago, the
Russian people have made substantial
progress. One cannot doubt that their
progress in the future will be much
more rapid if they enjoy the advan-
tages OF a really responsible Govern
ment. Certainly the experience Of other
democratic nations proves conclusively
that when the people are responsible
to their own Government progress is
sure. The extraordinary progress of
the United States Is the most striking
example of this, while the progress
Of all nations as soon as they secured
popular government has been remark
ably rapid
Never has the world advanced las 1t
has in the past century and a bali
during which nation after nation
starting with France and the United
States. attained freedom and intro
6uced popular government.
AS the result of the world war the
peoples of three great autocratic OF
semi-autocratic empires have nov
| gained the freedom which democratic
nations had previously enjoyed ant
have attained still greater freedom
After this experience and its effect or
both national and world wellbeing ir
increasing the freedom of the people:
of all nations, the ultimate conse'
quences of the complete release Of Tho
Russian people from condition O.
servitude are not in doubt.
When the responsibility of govern
ment is shared by all and a new spiri
is created opportunities for advance
ment will greatly increase and with
new desire to develop the people viii
shake off their lethargy and nationa
progress will be remarkably rapid II
assisting to destroy German militar
ism America helped to set free tn
peoples of three great empires AM
gave a new great impetus to worlt
progress which cannot fail to be fel
Immediately Russia and Europe ar
saved from the wreckage which th'
great war involved
what Russia Needs.
The Russian problem is not merely
how to repair the physical devasta
ton of war and restore both produc
ton and consumption. Nor Is it only
question of how a great people
whose liberty has been severely re-
stricted and who have been kept ir
knowledge and understanding they
need in order to use their new liberty
and responsibility and thus take ad
vantage of their opportunities. 1t /
all this and more.
! It is in the first place how to keeI
the Russian people alive until the dew
astation OF war is repaired and theil
productive power is reestablished
This has to be done In spite Of tho
hostility toward their present Govern
n1ent of almost every nation In the
world. The desire to assist the Rus
sian people Is worldwide. But antago'
rism to their Bolshevist Government
has deferred the nations from render.
ing the aid which they have so ur'
gently needed. Thus the Russian peo
pie are rapidly being exterminated b.
famine and disease.
No greater misfortune could befal
Russia. Europe and the world In gen
eral. II Russia Is permitted to starv'
then the hope OF Europe and the worlt
of recovery is almost impossible. Civ
iization will have received it's dealt
blow. The best informed. though the,
are most hostile to the present Bol
shevist Government. are unanimousl,
of the opinion that IL the presen
Government In Russia we're to fal
anarchy would result, with all it's con
sentences both to Russia and Europe
This was the reason an Invitation
was sent to Russia TO attend tn
Genoa conference and is the reason
for the patience that has been an
must be displayed In the negotiation