The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1917-10-27
From Other
Editorial Pages
WILL PETROGRAD FALL.

Kansas City Journal: The evacua-
tion OF Petrograd by the Russians. or
rather the preliminary steps taken 10.
ward II. viii serve 10 emphasize the
ncuteness OF the situation In that quar-.
ter Of the war operations. The fall OF
Riga made an advance against the Rus.
sian capital merely a matter OF time.
and the measure OF resistance which
Russia would be able to oppose TO such
an advance has not been encouraging
for some time past. Unfortunately
there is no means whereby the insen-
safe stupidity and cowardly lack of
patriotism on the part OF large popu.
lar element In Russia can be penalized
without involving In the gravcst peril
the heroic leaders who have thus far
prevented a complete collapse OF the
nation.
II there were some practical method
whereby those responsible for Russia's
dcplorable condition AT this time could
he made TO suffer the consequences
alone the consensus of the other allies
and perhaps OF neutrals as well would
undoubtedly be that these stupid trait
ors-traitors to Russia and TO the cause
Of democracy-would be getting only
what they deserved. But unfortunately
the innocent must suffer along with the
guilty, the far.secing with the short
sighted. the COURAGEOUS with the dis
loyal.
II worst comes to worst, however, and
Pctrograd falls 20 the Germans. the
consequences will not he fatal to the
allies cause-they win only postpone
the inevitable victory and at most give
Germany few more pawns In the final
settlement. Germany's speciality
throughout the war has been the ami.
hilation of the smaller or weaker coun-
tries. The capture Of capitals has be-
come something of habit: but despite
the fall of Belgrade. Brussels. Cetinje
and other capitals none of these vic
tories" has had any decisive effect upon
the conflict. Germany, though better
prepared for war than all the allies
combined. including conspicuously the
United States. has been unable to win
Il victory over any first-class power, and
even the Russian victories have been
achieved through intrigue on the part
of Germany and through cowardice and
treachery on the part Of Russians.
come the only one from which issue re.
ports of victories" that the German
government can rely on to bolster up
the waning spirit of the nation. IL
would seem reasonable to argue at this
time and use them on the western front
without exposing Austria TO any seri-
Gus menace from Russia. But the i'm
possibility of winning the west has been
brought forcibly home to the general
stan, and although Russia at best could
not strike an effective blow for months
TO come, the general staff appears to
prefer the victories" against a nation
in the throes of internal dissension TO
continuing the hopeless effort on the
west.
Petrograd is not yet captured, and ii
II should be captured the shadow of Ma
boieon hovers over that fatal eXpanse
of ice and snow The Russian govern.
ment long ago planned to remove the
capital to Moscow. where the Napoleon
&c shadow is darkest; and while Petro-
grads fall would be a serious blow to
Russian prestige-such as it is-it
would involve strategic conditions by no
means encouraging to the Germans. II
might even have the effect of bringing
the liberty.crazed elements in Russia
to realize the true state of affairs. The
Russian campaign, therefore, seems to
serve only the nugatory purpose of pro. |
viding material for boasts based on vic |
tories over a foe to defeat whom in its |
present plight is no real test of military |
poteucy