Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1922-02-22
DEALING WITH RUSSIA.

Where it is desired to enter into relations OF
any nature with several millions of people, contact
with them must be maintained by means Of some
agency or agencies representing them, either exist
ing or created for that purpose. For the sake of the
Russian people, and IN recognition of the sentiments
of humanity itself, civilization must do what it can
to relieve those millions in the great wave of famine
and disease which has overtaken them. In so far as
is possible, the starving must be fed and the sick
and suffering must be relieved.
Russia has today no government which can be
recognized as such by any other nation without de-
NAL OF the very principles on which civilized gov
erament rests. But in the Soviet administration at
Moscow there exists the only organization by means
OF which those who seek to provide relief can reach
the people whom they desire to assist To send
TODD to the Soviet government or to any commission
controlled by it is out of the question. The distribu-
ton OF that food would be made the means of still
further coercion. Supporters of the communistic
plan would be fed others would be starved. That
tact was recognized very clearly by Secretary Hooy.
er at the outset of the creation of the American Re-
llet Administration. Lenin insisted that supplies
be turned oyer to his government. That being re-
fused he demanded such representation on all dis
trbuting boards as would have Amounted to the
same thing. Mr.. Hoover refused fatty anything Of
the kind. He agreed that the Lenin organization
might be represented on all local boards, but insisted
that all goods provided by the American commits
sion should be distributed under the direct personal
direction OF Americans on the ground. The Soviet
government might observe and assist, but Ameri-
can, control must be absolute and undivided.
In some such way the League Of Nations is CO.
operating with Lenin in the distribution of medical.
aid. The League does not recognize Lenin except
as a means for getting a particular job done. For the
control OF disease it is cooperating with him in so
far as cooperation is possible. But in this there: is
no recognition of the legality or Righteousness OF
his position.
AS to the present attitude Of Lenin toward the
principles OF government, a marked change is OBJ
servable. That change, however. is as to present
methods and not as to ultimate aims. For the time
being Lenin has abandoned communicate methods
as applied to a large share of Russian economies. In
an article just published in the Living Age he de-
|clares that revolutionary methods have failed and
that reform" methods must be substituted He goes
back to the practice Of private trading, invites for
e1gn capital, and seeks to re-cstablish generally the
practices Of the "capitalistic" system which he has
formerly denounced.
But his real attitude is shown in the Russian
proyerb which he quotes: when you live with the
wolves You must howl as they do"
Lenin is an enemy Of civilization 1t may be
possible, and IN some cases necessary, to use hin, as
an agency for the relief Of suffering. But he is not
to be trusted. He does not even profess to be trhst-
worthy. Whenever he thinks it expedient he will
violate every pledge which he may have madeand.
lembark on a new course Of excuses as abominable
Jas thosef (which he has already committed.
j3s Hail warrant ara co,,.;pr ;r%~ -. ! !. 4.