Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-09-08
RADICAL RUSSIA FOUND
TURNING CONSERVATIVE
Reaction to Threatened Loss of Manchu-
rian Line Held Like That of
Capitalist Nation.
BY WILLIAM RUFUS SCOTT.

tn AKING the definition of conserv-
alive as lone with something to
conserve" Soviet Russia I'M
4 doubtedly turned conservative
in its foreign policy as applied
to the dispute with China over the
Manchurian Railroad.
This 1,1O0-mile railroad. worth hum
dreds of millions Of dollars to Russia,
manifestly was something to conserve.
The way Russia has acted to conserve
it leaves no room for future criticism by
Russia of actions of So-called capital
istic nations In conserving their prop
erty interests in other countries. while
it neutralizes past Russian criticism OF
imperialism"
1T will be recalled how loudly Rus
sian radicals denounced the United
States in 1927 for sending Marines to
China to protect American citizens and
their property during the most acute
phases of the civil war in that country
Great Britain was equally roundly
scored by Russian radicals for taking
similar course. as were France, Italy,
Japan and other countries. Yet when
threatened with the loss Of some of its
own property in China. Soviet Russia
reacted precisely as the criticized ma
tions reacted-only more drastically, for
Russia on the Manchurian border has
been decidedly more militaristic and
menacing than the carefully restrained
course of American Marines two years
ago.
No Lapse In Doctrines.
Soviet leaders naturally do not ad-
NIT any lapse from their own doctrines,
asserting that the display of force to-
ward Manchuria Is not the same as the
policy of the capitalistic powers, but
the Chinese are unable to see any such
distinction or find consolation in the
explanation that Russia is striking for
the rights of the world proletariat" in
clinging tenaciously to Russian property
in Manchuria.
Imperialism, as popularity understood,
is the use of force by one nation to pro-
tect its citizens and property In some
other nation. The sole Socialist repub-
lie in the world, by this measurement, is
Just as imperialistic as the capitalist
nations are declared to be.
What has happened in Russia, OF
course, is a vigorous revival of nation
alism. The idea of working exclusively
for the world proletariat and the world
revolution has suffered setback in
Russia. This change In Russian view
point will have far-reaching conse-
quences, because radicals in ether coun-
to Moscow for leadership in the world
revolution.
The genuine international radical now
must answer the question raised by Rus
sian policy IN the Far East-namely. is
imperialism always wrong. as radicals
have argued hitherto. or Is 1t wrong
only when capitalist nations resort to
it. becoming right when Socialist ma
ton, such as Russia. finds it expedient?
Signs of Confusion.
Already radicals in various countries
are giving signs that they are con-
fused by Russian actions Nationalist
in Russia retort that Russia would be a
fool to let slip from its grasp its half
interest in a great railroad merely to
uphold a. strict doctrinaire concept Of
anti-imperialism. Moreover, national
lists argue that Russia cannot afford TO
suffer the blow at its prestige from su-
pinely submitting to an alleged ag-
gression by China.
Moscow surely weighed all the con-
sequences Of strong-arm policy in
Manchuria It knows that the shock of
radicals in other countries from the ex-
pulsion of TrotSky has not been over
come and now this new shock to outside
radicals from the spectacle of the only
socialist nation turning conservative
will further undermine Russian lead
ership of the world proletariat. Never
theless. Moscow decided a bird in the
hand, in the form Of railroad. was
worth more than two birds in the bush
in the sense of continued opportunity to
lead the radical internationale.
To be specific, what appraisal will
English radicals make of the new Rus
sian nationalism? How does that ma
tionalism as exemplifled in Manchuria
compare with British nationalism ex-
emplified in China, India. Egypt and
elsewhere? Will English radicals agree
that 1t is right for socialist Russia to
use force to uphold its position In
China. or make a threat Of force. but
wrong for England to do likewise II II
faces a crisis in China?
Looking for Own Interests.
The majority of English laborites and
radicals will take the position that Rus.
: STA cannot run with the hares and hunt
| with the hounds at the same time or
alternately. Snowden's strong national
istic course at The Hague conference
| on reparations has been acclaimed oy
| English labor largely because English
| labor sees that every nation. including
socialistic Russia, is primarily looking
| out for its own interests and that Eng
land will be sunk If it does not follow
upon the French Parliament ratification
of the Leagues general act Tor COM