Václav Girsa

“ To an impartial, unprejudiced observer, thoroughly acquainted with conditions in Russia and with the psychology of the Russian people, to one who does not look upon the regeneration of Russia as temporary repose for a shorter or longer period to be followed again by bloody storms and revolutions, it is clear that a return to the old regime in Russia is impossible and that the only way to better things is through the constituent assembly. ”

“ Thousands of Russian citizens are returning from German captivity, and the strongest characters among them who could not be prevailed upon by promises or threats to join Bolshevik ranks in European Russia are traveling on foot thousands and thousands of versts, hungry and naked; those of them who do not fall victims to frigid temperature, unable to find any support or shelter and embittered by the indifference of society, become at last—out of despair, victims of Bolshevik propaganda. ”

“ Among the internal reasons for this general decadence I will point out only the chief one, because all the others are derived from it, namely the struggle for control of government among the different political parties. Surely during the whole history of mankind there has not been poured out such a quantity of enthusiastic and patriotic speeches, as in the course of the revolution in Russia. The leaders of political parties speak only in superlatives, and in their speeches the big words of progress, humanity, salvation of the country and regeneration of Russia are continually repeated. ”

“ The Russian people will accept only such a government as will proceed out of the will of the whole nation, whether the form be constitutional monarchy or republic. All other ways and means could at best establish only a temporary truce, containing in itself germs of renewed bloody tempests. ”

“ A Russian has difficulty in understanding the point of view of American and European democracies. According to incomplete information reaching us from the outer world, the democracies of the Allied states have declared against any intervention in Russia. That such a decision might result from a supposition or belief that the Bolsheviks, too, are democrats no Russian democrat will at present be able to understand, because today it is clear to every political infant in Russia that the Bolsheviks have nothing in common with true democracy. ”

“ On the other hand the wealthy classes grow blunt by constant sight of human misery to such an extent that they don’t even feel the obligation to assist others; moreover they will not help the common people at all, because they see Bolsheviks in them. ”

“ They favor at this time of unfettered passions the establishment of some form of constitutional government and believe that the nation, worn out by so many privations, will be satisfied with such a government. These people are so afraid of Bolsheviks that they are willing to tolerate any government able to protect their lives and property against the Bolshevik danger, and as regards the future they hope that it will be possible to introduce gradually reforms of a democratic character. ”

“ Traveling on the Siberian rail road is today an enterprise perilous to life. This intolerable state cannot last for long, if complete dissolution and general anarchy is to be avoided. It has already demoralized all classes of Russian society and kills in them even the most elementary conceptions of right, justice and civic duties. ”

“ The great majority of the Russian people see their only salvation in the constituent assembly and are working for it with great ardor. Others say that the country can be saved without the constituent assembly, believing it to be dangerous and premature for the Russian people who are but little advanced in culture. ”

“ In order, however, that such a military intervention and economic assistance to Russia shall have any success at all, it is necessary to carry it out according to a clearly laid down plan and scope, namely, the removal of Bolshevik government in European Russia and re-establishment and maintenance of order and peace throughout the whole country for so long, until it is possible for the Russian people to shape for themselves freely and without any pressure their own definite form of government. ”

“ The strength of fighting troops at the front is diminishing with each day, misery, need and unemployment of working people is increasing alarmingly; the railroads—which at first were working so correctly, have today stopped functioning completely and have become a stage for bribes, frauds, robberies and also a source of astounding profits for unconscientious and criminal speculators. ”

“ The rivalry and struggle among single political parties continues unabated; the Government, which lacking Allied assistance cannot get the confidence of broad masses of population is compelled, in order to strengthen its authority, to apply means that can hardly conciliate discontented minds. ”

“ And on the contrary these governments even with the best programs were never able to grow strong and to win the confidence of the people, because they were not acknowledged or supported by the Allies. ”

“ Without declaring clearly and openly its program it is fighting the socialistic parties by means of military censorship, curtailment of liberty of speech and of co-operative freedom; it banishes all the popular leaders, but at the same time it is not strong enough to suppress the injurious actions of military organizations of Cossack atamans who acknowledge the authority of no one. ”

“ One important reason for it is lack of money. Mechanics working in railway shops received no wages for the last four months and have had to go to work elsewhere; consequently it is impossible to repair damaged loco motives. ”