Evening star., 1917-12-08
MILLIONS Of SLAVS
DRIFT FROM ALLIES
More Open Policy and Active
Propaganda in Eastern
Regions Urged.
U. S. MAY FORCE ACTION
U. S. MAY FORCE ACTION
BY JOHN F. BASS.

Chicago Daily News. Copyright, 1917.
PARIS. France. December S.-rhe
American commission led by Sol. T. NJ.
House is showing great activity in
getting hold of the general situation.
the gravity of which the members
recognize. The joint conference will
consider among other things unity of
command and the Russian situation.
It is acknowledged here that the F.us-
sian case is seemingly hopeles because
of the systematic work done by Ger
man .propagandists, who now virtually
control the Lenine government. The
adhesion of the Ukrainian roda to the
Lenine organization Is a further blow
to the allies.
IT. is recognized now that the en-
'tente powers have neglected the Rus
sian field where they ought, like Ger
many. to have had several thousands
of Poles and Bohemians and Russians,
those in America. France and England,
working to explain. the allies position
to the people.
Secret Treaties Affect Situation.
The revelations in regard to secret
treaties between the entente nations
have. moreover, had a most disastrous
effect on the attitudes of the smaller
nationalities, especially the Poles,
whose committee here calls attention
to the fact that on January %, 1917,
President Wilson made his famous
declaration that, all the statesmen of
Poland her Independence. whereas on
March 8. following an agreement be-
tween a representative of France with
the czar, France was to have Alsace-
the west bank of the Rhine was to be
turned into a buffer state. This agree
ment was followed later by one giving
the czar the exclusive right to settle
the Polish question.
From the Polish point Of view this
action was bartering their freedom for
concessions on the western front. 1t
will take rapid action and a radical
declaration on the part of the entente
to prevent the Poles from being swung
into line for the central powers. It is
pointed out that Polish army Is be-
ing formed In Russian Poland, which,
under present circumstances. might
| swell the Austro-German forces.
Elements Might Be Combined.
In Russia there still exist certain
elements which might be combined by
the entente into a military force II q
proper declaration of war aims were
made public. There Is a national Polish
| army corps in Russia. Around this
some of, the thousands Of soldiers and
officers. including generals, of Polish
| nationality. might be grouped. In ad-
dition there are numerous Polish and
Bohemian war prisoners practically
free in Russia. There are also the
If the entente is prepared to declare
in favor Of the right of the small ma
tions Of eastern Europe to decide theil
own destinies for self-government
Ak
If something is not done Russia ana
the Slav countries will inevitably drift
into the Austro-German camp. where
they will furnish active help, instead
Of passive resistance as heretofore.
Sec Time to Cite Purposes.
7 Those onlookers who are not inf1u.
enced by national policies feel that i,
is high time. that the entente powers
abandoned their imperia1istic aims and
| came out with q declaration OF wal
purposes which, would recognize the
| nations which. have national unity and
are upwillingly subjected to. external
rule. as Bohemia, for example. These
nations have real Importance in the
ooo. 900.
| The gravity of this question is that
| the present drift of the Slav block OF
| nations toward Austria and Germany
l
tical victory and virtual domination
| of Europe. Even now 1t may be too
| late to remedy the entente mistake in
failing to take all measures to pre-
vent Russia and the Slav countries
from drifting away from the entente
lies. @ 90
slav Support Important.
It cannot be denied that slav sup
port il OF the first Importance If the
| allies are to attain their war aims.
Everybody in France sees the neces-
sity Of a unified command Of the al
lied armies. Individual national offen-
sives are seen to have little effect on
| the final outcome Of the war because
| they do not strain the Austro-German
i resources as united offensive would
do. Tho present method will merely
! enable Austria and Germany to deal
with the allies one by one by concen-
trating their resources for that pur-
Moreover unity Of command 1, neces-
sary for the effective distribution OF
the American resources among the al
lies to suit an accepted strategical war
| plan. Il there 10 no unity Of command
to decide, tho nations will each strug-
gle to get a. much as they can out OF
America. The resources would be
wasted without securing the desired re-
suits.
Need Of Concerted Action.
In the Same way permanent machin-
keSy tor hAndltng the military and "a.
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