The Washington herald., 1917-11-23
E0157cs-s55, 8 oT5z1Fss -
BY L. HARPER LEECH.

Now that the prospect OF a sep
arate peace between Germany and
the chaotic fragments Of government
remaining In Russia is becoming i'm
minent, fresh analysis is being made
here Of Russia's contribution to the
allies warfare.
The question is being seriously
asked whether. after all. Russia has
ever been at war with Germany.
There are men, not cranks, who SER
iously believe that, when the balance
is struck between the benefits that
Germany has derived and the damage
she has suffered from Russia partici-
patton in the war, there will not be
much difference-perhaps a net gain
to Germany.
steeped in Treason.
In the first place, Russia was never
whole-heartedly at war with Germany
Lvoff-Milukon government was in Of
fee.
Under the autocracy there was no
will to conquer In the government,
while the army and the whole govern
was honeycombed with pro-German
treason.
Under Kerensky there was instabil-
ity OF purpose.
The Lenine-Trotzky episode. or gov
ernment, or whatever it is, consti-
tutes a part of the German ma
chinery. Just as the Italian official
Socialist party and the Germanized
ger are aiding Germany in her -.'orld-
wide propaganda
Lenine-and that isn't his name-
was sent to Russia by Germany. His
activities were financed with German
coin, and one Of his speeches on
peace was proved to be an almost
literal paraphase of a wireless mes
sage from Prince Leopold and Gen.
Hindenburg.
Trotzky Huns Aid.
Trotzky-whose real name is Braun
stein-in his very brief career in
America was connected with the Ger
man propaganda, the revelations in
the Won Igel papers showing tat the
paper Novy Mir, with which he was
connected in New York, was under
propaganda systems.
At the beginning OF the war the
Russian invasion Of East Prussia led
complete Russian debacle and a great
stimulant to German morale. That
treason led to the trapping of the
Russian army has long been asserted
in military circles.
vance had any effect on the West
front campaign and the battle of the
Marne has long been disposed of. The
obliging Russian generals who led
their troops into the Hindenburg trap
did not cause the diversion Of any
great numbers Of troops from the
West
Pay for Prisoners.
Later on, in the second East Prus-
sian campaign, they repeated the
same maneuver with the same re-
suits. The mysterious disappearance
of the Russian Gen. Sievers-Baltic-
German in blood-and the rumors of
his suicide were followed by charges
that the Russian generals were re-
ceiving five rubles a head for the
Russian prisoners taken by Germany.
These prisoners were invaluable in
keeping up Germany's labor supply
and allowing her to use all her man
power.
Red Cross officials have asserted
that over 100000 Russians came into
the German lines and voluntarily sur
rendered, after the Germans had ad-
vertised among them that they would
pay a handsome sum for their rifles,
which constituted the most valuable
personal property most of the mujik
soldiers had ever been in possession
of.
The Russian offensives against Aus
tria did not hurt Germany in the
slightest, but they did lead directly
up to the realization of the most
important item in Germany's scheme
for world empire. through the crea-
ton Of the middle Europe and Ber-
n-to-Bagdad unity. p. a..
If Austria had not been almost on
the point Of collapse as the result of
the Russian invasion she would never
have yielded up her sovereignty to
Germany. After the destruction of
her armies Austria had to pay any
price for German aid, and as q result
Germany took practical possession OF
the Hapsburg empire, took the gold
out Of the Austrian bank, put her COM
manders over practically all the ar
mics, mixed German troops in all Aus
trian units apl laid her hands on all