The Robesonian., 1917-05-07
RUSSIAN SITUATION
WORRIES WASHINGTON

RUSSIAN SITUATION
WORRIES WASHINGTON
Fear That New Republic May Make
Separate Peace No LCl iser Dis
puised-Would Pile Burdens on U.
S-Outcome of War May Bepend
Upon Strength of American Army
Washington Special, April 20, to Bal
tomore Sun. -
Anxiety over political copdstions
In Russia, with tha passibility OF
seperate peace between that country
and Germany, is no longer disguised
In Washington. In fact, it has been
heightened as a result of the confer
ences bewteen Administrative offic-
ials and the members of the British
ard French Commissions.
More or less reassuring messages
continue to come from Ambassador
Francis at Petrograd, but with them
come disauieting unofficial reports
from London, from Scandinavia and
even from. Japan, all of them pointing
to the unstable regime which has
succeeded the monarchy, and to the
internal agitation Of Socialists and
German propagandists for separate
settlement of differences between
Russia and the Central Powers.
And it is easy to see what changes
in the conduct of the war would come
if Russia dropped out of the Entente.
A far greater burden would fall upon
tie United States. and an infinitely
more desperate conflict would take
place on the western front. In some
quarters tits believed that this couE-
try would be compelled to throw
enough men into the fight to counter
balance the great army which Ger
many and Austria are now compelled
to employ in holding the Russians
back.
-, Would Upset All Plans
The economic phase Of such a situa-
tion is as important, or perhaps
more important, than the military
phase of it. With Russia out of the
war, Germany would get from that
country the food which she must have
if she is to continue fighting indef-
initely. If Germany's food supply
problem could be solved by an agree
ment with Russia, the present En-
tente blockade Of the Germans would
be defeated and the whole war plan
of the Entente have to be recast.
These are the reasons for the acute
nneasiness which is felt over the
Russian situation in every Allied cap
ltal. Russia's withdrawal from. the
war would not necessarily mean a
German victory, but it would mean
the prolongation of the conflict and
far greater sacrifices than have vet
been made by any of the belligerents
save perhaps Belgium and Serbia. 1t
would mean that American man-pow-
er would be required to a far greater
extent than otherwise, and would
necessitate still greater drains upon
American food and munition sup
plies.
1t is true that the Russian revolu-
ton was grounded in the popular
belief that the Romanoff regime was
honeycombed with German intrigue
and was about to surrender to Ger
man influences. The success O fthe
revolutionists, therefore, would seem
TO strengthen the Entente bond, and
no doubt but for the unsteady con-
troll which the Duma Government has
over the country. At best, this con-
troll is only nominal. 1t commands
voluntary allegiance only and cannot
establish itself upon a firm, founda-
ton until elections have been held
and a strong central government has
been founded.
Peasants Giving Trouble
Meantime there are various dis
turbing elements with the Russian
Empire. The agrarian question is
far from settled and furloughed SOL
dlers are seizing the property of the
old landowners. Peasants everv-
where are given a taste of their first
real power and riots have been mum
erous. There have been infinite la
Dor trouble and the question of food
snPples has not been answered. On
top OF all these internal difficulties
has come the persistent campaign of
Herman agents in behalf of separate
peace, and there is reason to believe
that the Russians in MANY sections
are listening to these persuasions.
Aside from all that, the Royalist
faction: is still potential, though it
mas been completely overthrown. The
adherents of the Car hase been Civ
en- no voice whatever in the Duma
government, and as result they are
sullen, if not actually defiant.
Should Russia come to terms with
Germany about 40 divisions of Ger.
man soldiers, or approximately l..
SO8 900 men, would at once be trans
ferred from the easvern to the west
ern front. This would create an en-
tirely new military problem for the
Allies and might result in an entirely
new alignment of the military forces
now in operation. 1t has been gen.
orally understood that new drive
on Bulgaria from Saloniki was in
contemplation, a drive which might
have to be deferred ar abandoned en-.
tirely. Still other plans for bringine
the war to an early end might like.
wise have to be revised.
Hope Pinned on Root
Great hopes, however, are being
built upon the Root commission soo1
to be dispatched to Petrograd. This
commission will place at the disuosa
of Russia such of Americas re
sources as that country can use to tht
best advantage. Engineers from tn,
United States, for instance, will un
darfakp tO mt tho Siberian Po;Juo,