Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1917-05-09
The Russian Situation
New York lines


There l. ono fact about which ii IL pos
sible to he sure in the Russian situation
today, and that il that there j. no one out
side of Russia who has the smallest ink
ling a. I'd what the present crisis will mean
IN the future curse of the war. We have
no information in this country on which il
j. either safe or wise 10 erect any struc-
turc of expectation. Much of benefit to
the allies may come out cf Russia. but il
j. nj least equally possible that Russia will
either remain quicsccnt or make a separate
peace.
More than four months ago those who
knew most about Russia in France and in
England frankly conceded that Russia had
disappeared a A factor in the war. The
French statement was very simple. There
j. no more Russia was the military decis-
ion in France. In ENGLAND. where the
knowledge Of the Russian situation
less accurate, there was some hope. but
clear recognition that ii was mere hope.
Ii ma be that the national forces III
Russia Will succeed in triumphing forces
over socialism and anarchy allied I'd Ger
man dement's and fostered and subsidized
by German agents. but this has not hap
pencd yet. despite MI kinds of announce
mentS and reports.
Turning now 10 the possibilities. we may
say that If Russia continues To maintain
n line on the Eastern front without attack
ing. she will occupy most of the Austrian
~ - -. H.. a -
army. but from these German divisions in
the east can be drawn valuable material,
and more and more the best troops can be
turned toward the western front. where
the battle J. going forward f~icrccly and
whore the decision will come ii there l. to
be q decision this year. Ii the Russians
maintain their line without activity they
will still play u useful role also in contin-
uing the blockade Of Germany and advanc-
ing the process Of starvation.
On the other hand. III the German in
trigue with the ~ociali-tic and anarchi~tic
parties should succeed. Russia will make
4 separate peace and food supplies will be-.
after a certain amount IL delay available
for the Germans. Large numbers Of Ger
man troops will be released either for in
du~try or for service on the western front.
while the Austrians will he able To renew
their attack of last year upon the Italians
and. with German assistance. probably to
expd Sarrail'~ army from Salonica. ANY
such event a. this may easily lead To u
considerable ~prolongation Of the war and
4 new set Of circumstances III which II may
be necessary 10 c~nyisage 4 separate peace
between Italy and the central powers.
The fact of the situation l. u~nmi,taka-
BILE. The collapse Of Russia III the present
time IL well night complete. Conceivably,
Russia viii rally. ~ the French revolution
rallied under the attack of Europe. III
VIC zee 4 German attack upon Russia ii
will be safe 10 conclude that the Germans
have abandoned MI hope If peace IN ne
COLLATION. with Russia. If We see 4 Rus
sian attack upon Germany. We can draw
the same conclusion. But until We see real
fighting resumed in the east il l. unwi~c
10 Danish from the calculations the posi-
billiy Of a separate peace between Russia
and Germany.
y AT the present time the war has become
4 struggle between Great Britain and
France On tho one hand and Germany on
the other, with the chief allied effort be-
ing made on the western front in an Of
~fen~ivc. and the chief German effort being
made nv 4 submarine campaign, while the
German army j. fighting desperately 10
hold some portion If it, conquc~tS ~ \
basis for peace negotiations if the allies
are brought to the point where they will
BE- compelled To talk peace.
All optimism regarding Russia on the
part pf those who are today fighting Ger
many J. without any solid basis. The
wi~c~t thing To ~ l. to expect the worst.
because the worst ~ wholly possible, il not
probable. III Russia collapsc~ and makes \
separate peace. il Will ne necessary for
the United States next year tu supply n
considerable number Of men on the west
crn front ~ support the French. whose
man power will hencciorth diminish rcgu-