The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1917-12-05
NO SNAP JUDGMENT.
REALIZES DAN.
GER OF CAUSING REACTION
IN RUSSIA.
United States Will Take No Steps at
This Time Calculated to Work to
Advantage Of Central POwers-Sug-
gcstion Comes From French Capt.
tai.

Washington, Nov. 3O.-Realization
of the great danger of causing a re-
action in Russia favorable to the cen-
trail powers by intervention i'm the po-
litical affairs of the new democracy
has caused administration officials
here to sound note OF warning
against hasty condemnation Of the
Bolsheviki
Back of what is described as a toll
Grant policy in dealing with Russia
apparent not only is a purpose to
demonstrate faith in the ultimate sta
bilization of the democracy, but a
faint hope that the extremist faction
which is for the moment in control
Of the seat of government at Petro-
grad will refrain from violating Rus
sia's treaty pledges to the entente al
les and make separate peace. So
long as there is a possibility that these
overtures will fail because of the ap-
parently irreconcilable differences be-
tween the Bolsheviki peace scheme
! founded on mo annexation and no in
IDENTITIES" and the German demands
fer compensation and adequate safe
guards for the future" it is regarded
as bad policy to exert any pressure
so, it is believed, would only tend to
solidify the various elements around
the Petrograd regime
An additional reason fer maintain
ing an attitude of watchfulness and
reserve in Washington is found in the
fact that to meet just such a situation
as is developing in Russia is one of tha
purposes of the inter~allied confer
ence. There are intimations that
suggestions have reached Washington
from the French capital that it would
be we'll to avoid adverse criticism here
!, Of the Russian tangle. leaving the
commissioners gathering in Paris to
deal with it at this stage at least.
, No surprise is felt in diplomatic
circles at the speedy acceptance by
Germany and Austria of the Lenine
) proposals. 1t had been assumed that
with no intention whatever Of accept
| ing any of the substantial demands
OF the Bolsheviki the German and
/ Austrian monarchies would not miss
this great opportunity to eliminate
Russia as an effective military force
for the many days, weeks or even
!, months during which the skilled Ger
man diplomatists might proceed for an
armistice and peace.
In the meantime Of course there
may be released for active service
against the British, French and Ital-
ians on the West front hundreds of
thousands of soldiers maintained on
the Eastern front.
1t will be for the inter-aIlied con-
ference in Paris to devise some means
of neutralizing this German scheme.
possibly by influencing the Bolsheviki
element itself through an exposition
~ NhS NoPhSity anu real aims or the
Germans or by recourse to the ele-
ments in Russia represented by Gen.
eral Kaledines and other leaders who
have refused to acknowledge the con-
troll of the Maximalisis. The letter Of
Lord I-ansdowne suggesting a mod
Grafton of the allied war aims. which
mas aroused such a bitter feeling in
England, may in the opinion of some
of the diplomatic officials here, prove
powerful factor in holding the Boil
Sheviki with the entente allied circle
by letting them perceive that their
own doctrines regarding peace are not
lacking In support among entente
J statesmen.