New-York tribune., 1922-06-29
Red War Threat
Said to Figure
AS sHague Issue
Moscow Considers Conflict
Inevitable Result if the
Conference Breaks Down,
Secret Reports Declare
Huge Army Is Modified
Possessing 100000 Fully
Equipped Troops Held
to Make Soviet Defiant
BY Wilbur Forrest
Fpc~i1f cable 10 The Tribune


Copyright. 1929 New York Tribune Inr
THE HAGUE. June 28.-lnformaticn
was obtained to-day in non Russian
sources that explains the bold demands
Of Maxim Litvinof Of the Bolshevik
delegation here, and the more or less
tolerant attitude Of the western pow
ers in the initial negotiations. The
rosy picture Of Russia's future. drawn
By the spokesman of the BolsheWN a.
the conference Monday, is not IN as
cord with the information obtained
by the Tribune correspondent.
The bald statement that the Soviet
government is ready 10 agree 70 as
much as a 80 per cent reduction of the
Red army reciprocally with Russia
Baltic neighbors and roland seems Ike
mCckery. In we.l-informed circles
here, where the information is based
on secret reports after investigation,
il is asserted that not only Moscow, but
all Of Russia is convinced that only
the most careful handling Of the Hague
conference can prevent break and
that q breGk can mean only one thing
war.
Red Army Well Organized
Certain facts stand out as iadispuia-
b.e The trst is that the red army rs
in a highly organized state and the
needs Of the army furnish a more raw
cnous demand for credits than the eco
r0mic Reorganization presents. The
new system Of war schools has been
operating for many months and the
mlnition factories have been working
o. the exclusion Of all others. The
electives OF the red army are being
modified on the western and soL1
eastern borders and they number wei
/ above 100000 men, including large
force Of cavalry.
ln addition 10 all this the Soviet gov
/ crnmcnt has been engaged Tor some
/ time in improving most Of tho vital
/ railroads, replenishing the rolling
/ stock with German and swedish credits
which are now available. While the
/ harvests will be better IN some regions
and the famine already is aileWateo
20 some extent. due 20 outside help
thousands Of peasants arc facing q &c.
enactment % the famine conditions of
the last few years. yet despite the fac
| that famine conditions are still "a men
ace. the peasants are not inclined L,
blame the Moscow government, whicf
has reversed It's policy 20 mo eyten'
% giving them ownership of tho ianc
and . free market OF their products
From al this it would seem that there
is no danger OF @ social revolution %
Russia AID that the Bolshevik ree.m'
is there 20 stay, 90 least for a Ions
time u. come.
Confidence Rests on Troops
The Soviet government has now 4,
perfectly organized and fully equipped
army. which can be augmented three
fold by q dreft. The leaders know thi.
and II has given them The strength {,
come TO The Hague with bold demands
They are now dangling the rich con
cessions before the eyes Of the hungry
European powers and whettng the
appetites Of the various nat ona!s Will,
preparing for the emergency Of wal
with natural enemies disunited. The
menace Of war IS becoming very real
especially 20 those small nations or
Russias borders
The demands Of the Communist dele
cation that credits be taken UP frs
before the question Of private property
was considered developed the frs
show Of unity among the other powers
With the Soviet military situation un
D
twenty hve nations represented. The
counter demand was made that The
Russians frst show what they wante,
the credits for. The nations weT'
unanimous or this point.
Small Nations Encouraged
The Tribune correspondent is in
formed that the smaller nations have
been greatly relieved b. this stand o.
the Western powers, for they ksov
what the consequences would be q
them II The Russians were forced q
play their last card There is there
.ore Z present tendency on the part o
the powers % break with Russia an'
face Moscow with O united front u-t
there is some hope ~ honest dealing
Il this Is not dore the Hacue confer
crce may become no. open scramble
with each corruy trying 10 maze tA'
best terms possible with the Com
nrnisfs.
Nothing has more emphasized 80
wisdom Of the America policy in 10
staining from any part .n fhe confer
erce than the situ9' on taat is nov
presented. The Soviets are here ~
tempting 70 hlsckieok TIE N.steT'
powers. and unless the latter stand 20
eether- which they certainly failed q
Ao "a Cenoa-some ore viii feel fhl
weight Of the hiackiacf Credits from
s9me will strengthen The am wiicl
hopes 70 crush the others.
At the initiative o. TIE frcncA oe4e
cation. whose government is psriiel