National Affairs: Rough on Russians

Secretary of State Hughes in a brief note to the Russian Government (transmitted via the U. S. consul at Reval, Esthonia) declared that the U. S. Government “is not proposing to barter away its principles” in negotiations for Russian recognition. He followed his note by publishing a set of instructions, captured in August, purporting to be from the Third Internationale to the Workers’ Party of America.

These instructions called for organization here of “the workers of the large industries” into “units of ten” to meet once a week to study revolutionary propaganda, each unit of ten to have a “fighting unit of not less than three men” to be given weekly instruction in the use of firearms and in sapping. The instructions concluded with the hope that “the party will step by by step embrace the proletarian forces of America and in the not distant future raise the red flag over the White House.”

This phrase naturally captured the imagination of the Senate.

Said Senator Borah: “Charges are made that enemies of this Government in Russia . . . are seeking to organize different units of individuals for the purpose of placing the red flag in place of the Stars and Stripes. . . . Then I asked in all candor, what is the Department of Justice doing? Why are not the men who are cooperating with our foreign enemies, the agents and their representatives in this country, arrested, indicted, convicted and sentenced to the electric chair without the benefit of clergy?”

Senator Lodge questioned: “It is not a capital crime, is it?”

Senator Borah: “Treason would be, would it not? If that is not treason, what is it?”

Senator Lodge: “They are not all citizens, are they?”

Senator Borah: “No, not all of them, but you can deport those who are not an’d hang the balance.”

Senator Lodge: “I think that might be a good thing.”

Senator Norris: “In all the records of the diplomatic service there was never such a blunt letter [as Mr. Hughes’ note to Tchicherin] sent to another nation by the United States.”

Senator Lodge: “Some things justify bluntness. I think Mr. Hughes was justified.”