The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1915-04-19
EASTERN SITUATION
not SATISFACTORY
That Russians are Displeased il
Shown by Often and Sudden Effort
to Bring Italy Into War.
[sLAVs ADOPT NEW ATTITUDE
Rome Seeks to Further Only Their
Own Interests - Appeals Fall
a. On Deaf Ears. ,l.:-
By J. w. T. MASON,

New York, April 19.-That the
eastern military situation is very
unsatisfactory to the Russians seems
evident from the open and sudden
efforts of Grand Duke Nicholas and
M. Sazanoff to persuade Italy to enter
the war. Hitherto, whatever pres
sure was brought to bear on Italy the
Allies has been secretly applied. All
public references to Italy have been
guardedly WOrded and have carefully
worded and have scrupulously avoid
ed any semblance of pressure. This
attitude has been due to a Of
the fact that Italy aself-interest
alone is debating the policy
OF King Victor's government,
and secondly, to a belief that the
Allies cause would not be streng-
thened by too openly expressed de-
sires for Ital US help.
Adopted New Attitude: s
Russia, however, has adopted a
new attitude, and is endeavoring to
tempt Italy in just the clumsy fashion
which the western Allies consistently
have sought to avoid 49,
The Russian chief
has telegraphed to the novelist, Am
phitatroff, that Italian participation
in the war is the only course that
will insure the realization of Italian
ideals. The Russian foreign minister
has wired the novelist also that Rus
STA will give complete support to the
realization of Russian ideals, provid-
ed Italy intervenes Immediately. The
two messages were not written sim
ply as friendly responses to a re-
quest to a novelist for expression OF
opinion. They are in reality state
documents and they unquestionably
indicate fear on the part of the Slavs
that Italy will remain neutral to the
end of the war. ~, - -,
Have Counted Heavily.
The Russians have counted heavily
on an Italian declaration Of war
against Austria: Italy's intervention
would compel redistribution of the
Austrian forces and the Slavs doubt
less have been expecting the Carpa-
THAN defenses would be weakened by
Austria through the necessity for
guarding the Italian frontier. 49,.
: The failure of the present Carpa-
THAN campaign, growing fear that
Italy might settle her difficulties with
Austria by diplomacy, both seem to
have produced a shock at Petrograd
Nervousness and impatience appar-
emily have resulted, causing Russia's
most distinguished military and state
craft leaders to make public appeals
to Italy to enter the war. T.,
Messages Mistake. 49,
There can be no doubt but that
the messages of Grand Duke Mich
O1CaS dAu VN. OCtLO1OA dl0
The only possible influence they can
have on Italy is to formulate sus-
:picion that the Russians are aban-
doning hope Of their ability to end
the war VIGOROUSLY without assist
ance ) =. -. -. -. . -.
( The Italians have no desire to as
L
sist the Slavs. Italy wishes only to
further her own interests. In fact,
one of Italy's grievances is that,
thanks to Austrian encouragement,
Slav influences are dominating Ital-
ian interests in Austria. An appeal,
therefore, from Russia for Italian
help will fall on deaf ears at Rome.
The Italians will count the cost of
intervention somewhat more rigor-
ously as the result of Petrograd's urg-
ings, and that is all. Russia had
been better advised to follow the lead
|of France and England and make no
n,,b1;o n1oo Por Tfo 1u,c 70 or