The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-11-28
RUSSIA A PUZZLE
Supplies Will Be Cut On ii She
Enters Separate Peace.
All Indications Point to Phls
Outcome Being Near.
EMBASSIES WILL WITHDRAW
Vast Stores on Way to Russia
Will Be Recalled by U. s.
Russian Resources Immediate
Help to Germany.

washington. Nov. 2S.-The American
government and the entente allies as
well will determine whether the Boil
sheviki are actually to be classed as
enemies and active allies of Ger
many as soon as official advices can
he gathered in conferences between
Bolsheviki leaders and German OF
ficers.
Yesterdays news dispatches, say
ing German staff officers actually
were in Petrograd actively engaged as
advisers to Lenine followed by today's
news cables that Bolsheviki leaders
have crossed into the German lines for
! conferences with the German military
authorities were not wholly uneXpect-
| ed to officials here, but they shattered
the faint hope that the Bolsheviki
might in the end after all, help carry
on the war against Prussian militar-
| ism.
The developments more than con-
firmed the contention of those who
have held from the first that the Boil
sheviki was fostered by German
| propaganda seeking to break Russia
from her allies.
Will Cut Relationship.
One of the first acts of the allied
governments when they learn officially
that the Bolsheviki are actively work
| ing with the Germans undoubtedly will
| be to withdraw their embassies in
Petrograd This, of course, will. in
| clude American Ambassador Francis.
| Whether the diplomatic corps would
go to one of the adjacent neutral coun-
tries to await developments or whether
| it would move to some other part of
| Russia, where a new government con-
| sidered representative of the Russian
nation rather than of an anarchial
faction, might be set up, has not yet
been determined. This will be decided
| by the developments in Russia. Am
| bassador Francis has a large measure
of discretion to act with others of the
diplomatic corps in Petrograd. and
much of his course will have to be de-
termined without frequent consulta-
ton with Washington.
Today the state department had no
new advices whatever, but was eX-
pecting some on which judgments
might be formed as to the course the
government will pursue. Meanwhile
the United States is receiving the
benefit of what information the allies
are gathering in Russia and the
will undoubtedly be in concert and
the result of general agreement.
Immense Stores Recalled.
No, official announcement is avail
abe at this stage as to whether the
United States has stopped the ship
ment of supplies to Russia until the
situation clears. because of the alb
sence of an official established break.
the government would not care to
confuse an alre ady complex situation
further by something which possibly
might be a source of diplomatic EN-
barrassment.
But it is perfectly apparent that
none of the immense quantity of sup
plies contracted for, on the way or
actually landed in some parts of Rus
STA, will be permitted to fall into the
hands of the Bolsheviki if they be-
come the allies of Germany
! Immense quantities of material all
ready piled up at Vladivostok are I'M
available to the Russians because of
the paralysis of transportation system
Ships on the high seas bearing car
goes for Russia can be reached at
any time by wireless and cargoes be-
ing prepared in this country can east
1y be diverted to some other ally or
| use if it is desired to do so.
The statement made yesterday to
the Russian general staff by Lieuten-
ant Colonel Judson, head of the Amer
lean military mission, to the effect
that the stopping of shipments to Rus
/ STA will be the logical outcome of the
Bolsheviki efforts for an armistice
and peace, is regarded by officials
here Is summing up the situation ac-
curately and goes as far as is possible
1 in official Gil