Evening star., 1923-02-18

1" Of the neigh borhood gang Of
iVl youngsters becomes less
bombastic. less arrogant and
less pugilistically inclined ey tne
bribe OF a nice large red apple.
Statesmen of Europe having learned
the lesson that one who cannot oe
driven must be coaxed are preparing
to give the bully Of eastern Europe
not one apple but several. with the
hope that they may be left IN peace
10 further their own particular ends
with guarantees of future safety.
It is learned in Washington that
within the next month or so France
England. as well as Italy. may make
far-reaching concessions to sway
Russia from her position as poten-
tial menace to European political
naneuverings by trade concessions.
These will be but the first step toward
later recognition of the soviet regime.
Russia has the power to kick over
the European playhouse and give
several of her piaymates in the in
tarnational game of blind mans buff
some bad half hours. But Russia to
advance must have financial and eco
nomic recognition with favorable
trade agreements with the other pow
crs. Furthermore, the soviet regime.
It Is declared. seeing the handwriting
cn the wall in so far as permanent
tenure of its position is concerned
with present internal chaotic condi-
tons. is ready to forego much of its
rant against so-called capitalism and
bend a knee that ii may partake OF
foreign gold in the upbuilding of its
economic and social life.
Russia Desires Gain.
Russian armies are ready to strike
where Russia's interests can be fur
thered. but 1t is a pretty well estab-
lished fact that Russia will not strike
unless something is to be gained.
Even Trotsky, latest confide ntial ad-
vices indicate. is ready to forego rat
Ting of the saber if Russia can be
assured that the larger powers Of
Europe most able to assist Russia
Will enter into economic and COM
1nercial arrangements
With the near eastern mess con-
linulng to be a mess, with the French
ghtening the screws on the Ruhr,
with the whole European situation re-
naming in a state Of fiux by the
counter currents of international pol
1tics, with the various larger powers
eager to seize any advantage to fur
fher nationalistic aims in case a di-
<ided entente should fall. the Rus
sian question has caused grave
doubts in the minds of the "elder
statesmen.
IT is admitted that Russian partici-
patton either on the side Of the
Turks or with the Germans-in case
Germany should turn bolshevik-
would swing the balance of power
against any one or group Of western
did not swing completely to the side
or victory for those with whom the
Russians aligned themselves. the ad-
Lustments following prolonged con-
net would not be wholly to the po-
Itfcal interests of the western powers
who are striving today to gain ad-
vantage IN the control of Europe's
deStfnieS.
1t is not surprising that the west
ern powers not wishing the Russian
menace to continue should indirectly
approach Moscow seeking favorable
ngements-favorable to the Rus
slams from the financial and economic
standpoints. favorable to the western
powers from the standpoint of per-
petuating national prestige.
Huss-br1tish Negotiations.
The Russians and English long
have been flirting, but as a matter of
fact past negotiations will come to
naught unless some rapid strides are
taken to abate anti-English sentiment
III the councils at Moscow. The Brit
ish are cordially hated by the soviet
and past negotiations were spurred on
through Russias peculiar dome site
dilemma and with the hope that the
British. the best able financially,
would assist the Russian government
and peoples.
Negotiations between London and
MOSCOW have been a constant source
of Irritation to Paris. which has fore
seen German-English-R Russian alli-
ance in case Of the breaking up Of the
entente. But the French have not
been idle and today, with the COM
Las set in motion negotiations looking
toward complete settlement Of all out
standing questions between Russia
and France.
The French. it is declared. for Rus
sian guarantee of czarist debts, are
ready to assist the Russians from a
financial standpoint and further
Russo-Turkish interests in the near
east after there has been some settle
ment of prevailing near eastern is
SooS' III la II Is SuSpecteu III Lon
don that Poincare recently pointed
out the advantage Of a Russo-Turkish
working agreement with France. 1t
is known that Poincare feels, at least
avows. the British betrayed French
interests in the near east by their
adamant stand at Lausanne. 1t is be-
lieved in England that he would not
hesitate to embrace Russia In any
agreements with the Turks. Poincare
undoubtedly. because Of the force of
public sentiment. cannot make sucn
an alliance as long as the entente
exists, but at the moment there Are
grave doubts that 1t can live through
The Ruhr crisis. The British, it Is be-
lieved, will break with the French be-
cause of divergent policies in regard
10 Germany. in which emergency
france may be expected to go far in
spreading her influence in eastern Eu-
rope by attempting to line up the