New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-08-23
Cannot Continue War
Without Adequate Aid,
She Says
Roads Lie Open
To Teuton Attack
Conferences at Washington
May End Talk and Bring
Assistance
From Tho Tribune Bureaul

From The Tribune BureauI
WASHINGTON, Aug. 22.-The out
standing feature in the international
situation in Washington to-day was
the disclosure that Russia has pre-
sented a statement of her situation to
the Entente governments and Ameri-
ca, indicating that without dependable
assurances Of immediate, adequate
and continuing assistance she would
be unable to continue in the war.
Russia has made no threat of a sep
arate peace. II was declared that
Russia is not now considering peace.
neither the government nor the people
desiring it under present conditions.
But Russia is confronted with eco
nomic obstacles that are insurmount-
able without the aid of her associates
in the war. and the chief part OF the
task of making Russia again efficient
as a fighter devolyes upon the United
States.
The military situation on the Rus
sian fronts is admittedly dangerous 20
the Allies. Moldsvia is expected to
succumb to Austro-German pressure
within three weeks. Russia is abso-
lutely helpless to arrest the enemy's
advance, having lost, through the dis
organization, amounting to mutiny, on
the Galician front practically all her
guns and supplies.
The feeling of uneasiness was inten-
siied by the receipt of news that the
Germans had begun an offensive on
the Riga front with Petrograd as a pos
sible objective.
Rumors of important and alarming
news from Russia, which reached
Washington last night and continued
TO attract attention to-day when traced
70 authoritative sources, were discoy-
cred to relate TO the economic situs-
tion in Russia. Secretary of State Lam
sing declined to discuss the rumors, re-
fusing, however, to deny that alarming
reports had been received.
Danger Is Imminent
One authority. in a position TO know
the situation, said:
Russia has stated her case TO her
associates in the war. She is in i'm
minent danger of being overrun by
the enemy. She has demanded depend
able assurances, amounting 10 guaran-
tees, that materials and provisions
shall be furnished her Immediately,
adequately and continuously. There Is
not the least suggestion Of politics,
internal or international, in Russia's
demand. She cannot fight efficiently
without materials and supplies, and
unless she is furnished them she will
not be able to continue in the war, no
matter how desirous she is of not sc-
cepting absolute defeat.
1T was partly in response to Rus
sia's representations that the Anglo
French armies and the Italian troops
nave OSch PeoHeu loiNaIu lH uebperhIe
sighting, reckless in a sense, in the
West. IL had not been planned TO
launch these offensives so soon. Blu.
the Russian situation made it abso-
lutely imperative that the strength OF
the Western Allies should be thrown
into the situation actively to relieve
the tremndous pressure upon Russia"
Conference on Situation
An important meeting was held here
to-day for the purpose, it is believed, Of
considering the Russian situation with
view Of arranging priority OF ship
ments and tonnage for the trsnsporta-
ton Of certain materials and provisions
20 Russia. Among those at the confer
ence we're Lord Northclife, head of
tho British purchasing mission in
America; Coiyille Barclay, counsellor
Of the British Embassy, charge d'a!-
flares in the absence of Ambassador
Spring Rice; Count di Cellere, the
Italian Ambassador. and Andre Tsrdieu,
head OF the special French mission in
the United States.
The Russian authorities are under
stood 70 have revealed to the Allies
and America their feeling at the al
legged neglect with which Russia has
been treated, especially at the long de-
lay met with by her in obtaining aid
from the United States, where she is
looking principally for assistance. Il
has even been intimated that Russia
attributes in part 10 this neglect her
misfortune in the field and her pres
ent state Of comparative helplessness.
Must End Discussions
In this country. instead OF finding
instantaneous response, Russian rep
resentatives have been obliged to hold
lengthy discussions with board after
board, without reaching decisions, and
Russia was said to-day to have reached
the point where discussions must be
abandoned or Russia collapse alts-
gether.
The case" an Official said, "is this:
Russia has nothing left with which 70
continue the war. The Allies-and
that means America give her
materials al provisions at once. or
the Allies WILL bring upon themselves