Middletown transcript., 1917-06-23

ly by the individual men, women ant
| children of the nation, not by the
great financial institutions. This not
only is most desirable from an econo
mic point of view, but is conclusive
evidence that the entire nation is back
ing the government in the conflict
against despOtism. 1t was only neccs
sary that the people should be awak.
ened to the real situation, and this was
done with energy and efficiency by the
press and by innumerable speakers
throughout the land.
Renewed Hope for Russia.
Hope and despair concerning Russia
alternately take possession of the al
| lies. Just now it is the turn of hope
and there is real prospect that the
new republic not only can be prevented
from making separate peace with the
Teutons, but may even be restored as
a potent military factor. Minister of
War kerensky is succeeding to some
extent in re-establishing discipline in
the army, and an incident on the Roll-
manian front, when three mutinous
regiments were forced to uncOnditiOn-
al surrender by large number Of loyal
troops showed that most of the soldiers
are disposed to back up the provision
al government. The All-Russian cOun-
Gil of peasants, furthermore, passed by
vote of 1000 to a resolution to cut
off food supplies from Kronstadt if the
town did not Immediately join its rev.
dictionary forces to those of Russian
democracy, and demanding that the
government at once force the absolute
submission Of Kronstadt
President Wilson's note to Russia
defining Americas war aims, was re-
ceived with much satisfaction every
where except by the radical Russian
socialists and in Germany, and was
promptly followed by one from Great
Britain which virtually stated that Mr.
Wilson had spoken for his entente al
lies. OF course the Interpretation of
the phrase peace without annexa-
TONS is still a stumbling block, for
Great Britain, France and Italy take
the position that the restoration of
Stolen" lands, such as Alsace-Lor-
rainc, Italia Irredenta and other re-
gions must not be considered as annex
atiOns. The Root commission, which
had a triumphant trip across Siberia,
is counted on to do a great deal toward
bringing Russia to the scratch again,
and at this writing it really looks as
though she will not yield to the blan-
dishments of the kaiser and his social
list and pacitist emissaries. The great
change in Greece also is looked upon
as likely to influence Russia because
of the effect it is sure to have on the
Balkan situation.
The very weakness of the Russian
provisional government has caused the
German conservatists to abandon hope
of persuading Russia to q separate
peace, for as Herr Heydebrand, their
leader, says, such a course would be
futile unless the government were
strong enough to combat the allies
Russia would be forsaking.
Mr.. Root and his colleagues and also
the American railway engineering COM
mission reached Petrograd on Wednes-
day. On the same day the Russian
mission to the United States landed at
a Pacific coast port and started for
Washington. 1t is headed by Boris A.
Bakhmetieff as special ambassador.
General Pershing in France.
General Pershing and his staff, after |
several days of work and entertain
ment in London, crossed over into
France and were enthusiastically re-
ceived in both BOulOgne and Paris. |
The whereabouts of his eXpeditionary |
by the German press an
American army bluff-had not been an
at the time of writing.
There were two significant develop
ments ON the battle fronts of Europe
The Italians. resting for the present
from their advance on Trieste, made
Il vigorous attack on the Austrians in
the TrentinO, gaining some important
posts and again threatening Trent. On
the Belgian front near the seacoast
there was great activity by the artil-
lery, seeming to indicate the intention
Of the allies to try for a push in that
region toward Ostend and Zeebrugge.
The British made secure their gains of
last week and advanced farther east
and northeast of Messines, while the
French repulsed all attacks farther to
the south. The allies seem to have
adopted new plan in France, making
each drive battle complete in itself;
hey have demonstrated, they feel, that
he German military power can be
rushed, and the speed with which this
S to be done depends largely on the
lid given by the United States.