New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-11-26
Petrograd Events to lnau-
ence Italian Front and
Paris Conference
Lenine Is Opposed
Entente Will Not Recognize
Him; Separate Peace
Is Menace
By Arthur S. Draper


reason to expect political and military
developments of the highest Importance
this week. Russia is the key to the
whole situation, and all Allied plans
depend upon the results there.
II the Lennites remain in power. or.
in other words, a state Of anarchy con-
tinues, Entente strategy in 1918 must
be changed materially.
Russian affairs have direct bearing
on developments on the Italian front,
and even the decisions to be reached at
the inter-Allied conference in Paris
will be influenced largely by events in
Petrograd.
Allies VIII Not Aid Lenine
Whether any government could exist
in Russia unless it declared for i'm
mediate peace is a matter of opinion,
but it is certain the Lenine makeshift
will receive the support of none Of the
Allies. The shipment Of Allied stores
10 Russia already has been stopped. the
British Foreign Office has denounced
Lenine's move for a general armistice,
foreign diplomats in Petrograd have
refused to recognize the government
and few Russian newspapers support
Lenine.
Russian and enemy troops are frater-
iizing freely on the West and South
west fronts. Petrograd is reported to
be resuming its usual calm. The Cen
trail Powers seem TO be exceedingly
wary, wavering between following up
the peace offer with an immediate ad-
vance to Russia and awaiting develop
ments.
1t is difficult to learn to what extent
Lenine represents Russian opinion, but
it is certain he hasn't supporter IN
this country Before the disntegration
and decentralization become complete,
Russians here hope their countrymen
will reassert themselves and save Rus
sia from the condemnation OF her al
les. The publication of the diplomatic
documents. seventeen in number, Will
not help the Allied cause, but it will
certainly affect profoundly the political
situation. Ultimately it may lead to a
more unified Entente objective, but the
| immediate consequences are certain to
| be unhappy.
Knockout for Secrecy
Secret diplomacy has had knockout
! blow. Should a separate peace come,
the Quadruple Alliance would have
over 100 divisions to use on other
fronts, the Rumanian army would be-
come impotent through inability to OBJ
tain munitions and the Western Allies
would face new anxieties.
Instead of continuing a strong often
sjve against the Central Powers, the
Entente might have to take the de-
fensive in 1918 and until America be-
came a real military factor.
A month ago England was decidedly
pessimistic; then came period Of
determination, followed by wave of
optimism.
The American Mission had an oppor-
tunity to study the country in the
| three states, and it arrived in France
just at the close of Clemenceau's first
speech, which attracted much interest
and comment here.
remarkable Roadway in this country
recently, and it has grown correspond
ingly with Americas war preparations.
Daily it gains numbers of fresh re-
cruits, even some of what are called
"bitter enders" subscribing to the poll
icy, though they would make slight
notifications
House Made Big Impression
To the British moderates Clemen-
ceau's references to a league of ma
tons was a disappointment. They ap-
plauded his declarations of grim de-
termination, bu. they believe it point
ed to a different goal, which 1.-THE Daily
News" says "was set before the world
by President Wilson, Endorsed by AS
quith, Viscount Grey, General SHUTS
ard Balfour, and by the conscience OF
every man who is outraged by this
orgy Of blood and is determined when
the war is over humanity shall not
tread again the old path of destruc-
ton"
Colonel Houses commission made a
short visit, but left big impression.
II seemed to have the faculty of know
irg what it wanted and getting it,.
There was no fuss and no silly for
inalities.
In France next week I venture to
forecast the Americans will make even
more Of an impression, and that the
French and Americans will soon be
working in common purnose.
Colonel House is authority for the
statement that Americas war aims re-
main unchanged since they were first
declared. The fact that America is
fighting to defeat the system and not
crush the individual is a highly impor-
tant feature to remember when the
inter-Allied conference meets and the
vatious representatives exchange views
and discuss policies.
That conference is not supposed TO
discuss peace aims, but it is as difficult
TO separate war plans from peace aims
as it is to separate sugar and sand.
American resources speak louder than
words, and they are being given freely
for policy which was first considered
too moderate, but is constantly making
converts.