The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1922-06-10
BEST COURSE
is TO ALLOW
REDS TO FAIL
Borah Expresses Traditional
Policy of Aiding Revolution
lists But to Recognize Soviet
Now Would Prolong Life.
LESSON FOR WORLD D
BY MARK SULLIVAN

about Russia has had two aspects, the !
hrst concerned the continued resi- /
dence in Washington, and the contin- |
ued recognition by our government Of |
an ambassador from Russia who came
eere as the representative of a regime
In that country which terminated more
than three years ago. This ambassa-
dor, Bakhmeteff, did not represent, and
nld not pretend to represent, the pres
ent government of Russia
On the contrary, he was the repre-
sentative Of elements which. both in
Russia and in America, have been vio-
ienuy opposed to the present regime
In Russia. All this Senator Borah has
peHeVed TO be wrong, and he has said
so with force and pungency On this
point Senator Borah's contention has
now been met. Bakhmeteff has ceased
to be the accredited representative Of
Russia in Washington.
The other aspect Of Senator Borah's
contention about Russia is that the
American government should give rec
ognltion in the usual way to the pres
ent regime in that country. In TAX
Ing this position, Senator Borah prob.
ably comes close to expressing the
typical historical attitude of the Unit
ed States toward revolutionary gov
ernments.
Sympathetic Leaning
Ihe circumstances of the birth of
our own government were such as to
give us in the beginning a sympathetic
leaning toward other peoples engaged
In the adventure of getting rid of mon
arches and dynasties. II is in his
understanding of history and his fa-
mlliarity with the fundamentals of
american political policy that Senator
Borah has his greatest strength. He
is probably the only American states
man who in considering the matter
u our relations with Russia, has
thought II worth while to inquire into
what our country under the first presi-
iency OF Washington did about recog-
aizlng france under circumstances
mat were somewhat but not wholly
similar 10 the present Russian case.
Senator Borah has made the point
that during the French revolution.
when the French people were getting
rid of the old Bouborn monarchy.
Washington recognized the revoIu-
tionary government of France within
three months after the leaders of the
revolution had killed their queen, and
While the gulllotine was still working
Points Out Contrast.
This early recognition of the revo-
lutionary government of France, Sen
ator Borah has pointed out, is in con-
trast with the course of England,
where Pitt and Fox debated for 12
years before they could make I'D their
minds whether to recognize Or not
10 recognize the revolutionary govern
ment of France. Senator Borah be-
lieves that this precedent. and this
prevailing disposition on the part of
America to give sympathy and help
10 countries engaged in the difficult
and unhappy business of getting rid
of autocratic governments should be
followed in the present case.
The contrast between what Senator
Borah woul dixie to do, and the course
ahat the administration has actually
followed, lies in the fact that the
administration in this present case
Of Russia has taken into account the
economic factors involved Senator
Borah would eliminate the consider
alton of economic factors, or at least
would certainly lay less emphasis on
them. He would look at the political
factors primarily. and seeing those po-
litical factors to compose, in his judg,
ment, merely a case of people revolt
ing against dynasty, he would give
them the recognition and support
which is the historic tradition of
America.
Other Factors.
But the thing which impairs the
analogy between Washingtons recog-
milton of France and Hughes refusal
to recognize Russia, is this very fact
that in the present case economic fac
tors are involved which were not in
volved in the much simpler case that
Washington had to consider.
In the first place Russia owes some
hundreds of millions of dollars. partly
to the government of the United
States and partly to private citizens
of the United States.
If France had owed a great dea'
of money to the United States 125
years ago. and if it had been a prin
ciple of the revolutionary government
of France to deny the obligation te
pay that debt, then, in that case
Washington might readily have beer
slower in according them recognition
In the second place. the Russia revo
luton has not only thrown out its ole
dynasty but has asserted its unwil
Ungness to recognize or abide by the
accepted laws of economics and bus
mess.
Economic Aspects.
Even though the circumstances com
pei the American government TO loot
upon this Russian problem as havin:
essential economic aspects, it is still
true that in the popular understandings
of Americas position, too much EN-
phasis has been given TO the economic
side of the position which the Amerl
can government has taken. This il
caused by the way in which the prob
iem has come up. The Russian gov
eminent seeks recognition from US
We reply that we will not recognize
them until they first recognize tn
validity of the debts which they ow'
to our government and our privat
citizens. and until they also consen
10 give compensation TO our citizen
bwho owned property in Russia whicl
\ vas seized, and is now held by tn
Russian government.
Ii the problem remained in thi
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