1132

THE AMERICAN RUSSIAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.
PRESS NOTICE MARCH 6th 1918.

Mr. Charles H. Boynton, former President of The American-
Russian Chamber of Commerce, before leaving for Washington said:

"All those who have kept in close touch with Russian conditions
and who understand the deep undercurrent of Russian thought and feeling are
delighted with the incisive, clean cut and clear sighted position which
President Wilson has taken relative to any military action in Eastern Siberia
for it is not only a re-expression of American ideals in regard to the war
but it will do much to restore the morale and courage of the Russian people
and to prevent their possible alienation from the Allied Cause.

"The question of Japanese action in Eastern Siberia must be
considered and decided solely from the stand point of its effect on Russia
and the practical possibilities of any Japanese action checking German oper-
ations in the Russian field. No one can possibly raise the question as to
the good faith or sincerity of Japan but the possibility of a dangerous re-
action in Russia by any separate Japanese move is apparent to those in touch
with Russian opinion and the position which the President has taken will do
much to restore the faith and confidence of the Russian people in their Allies.

"History recalls that Russia is most dangerous when apparently
crushed to earth. It was so at Borodino and Moscow in 1812. There is there-
fore room for thought that as a result of Germany's recent crushing demands,
Russia may yet realize and come to the full recognition of the character of
German warfare and of German aims and will respond in a manner which may yet
surprise the world. Russian dispatches of this morning clearly indicate
growing sentiment. Any act of the Allies which would even check that growth
would be decidedly impolitic. One cannot lose 180,000,000 people or change
over night the attributes of their character and Germany by her present action
is teaching the Russian people the merciless insolence of her military machine
and is starting a movement which may yet weld together these diverse elements
into a unified and decisive antagonism.

The remains of Russia's governmental machinery have been
temporarily under the control of an unrepresentative minority and real Russia
has been silenced by the sufferings of a reign of terror and brigandage. The
voice of the Russian people has not been heard in this Country. The greatest
mistake which the American public opinion makes is its tendency to judge all
Russia by events in Petrograd and by its failure to have faith and confidence
in the Russian people. Such faith supported by constructive material assistance
may unite and reorganize Russia. At such a time as this to take aggressive
military action for the purpose of protecting supplies thousands of miles
away from the field of German operations through any other medium than one
suggested by the Russian themselves would be a suicidal mistake. One does not

41789