Rock Island Argus., 1917-11-14
Is Russia Out of 1t?

II Is not easy for the average Amer
lean citizen to comprehend the status
Of Russia today whether the nation
is out Of the running as a potent unit
OF the phalanx lined up against Ger
many, or whether the upheayal now
under way is but a fash in the pan, a
sectional uprising against the Ker-
ensky regime and that it will be only
brief course Of time until 1t will have
spent its fury and then the ship Of
state will again be moving along the
channel laid out for il by the support
ers OF popular government who over
threw royal rule.
We in the United States are hopeful
that the latest internal trouble will be
adjusted without unnecessary blood
shed and that the Russian people will
be reunited and stand out against the
common enemy until he has been sub
dued for success OF the uprising di-
rected at the Kerensky regime could be
nothing less than a complete victory
for German propaganda. The repre-
months been fraternizing with the
Russian army chiefs and with poll
ticians of the pacidst stripe and have
made such headway with their over
lures that II Is no secret that large
portion OF the Russian pOpulace has
been converted TO the idea that the
best thing that could happen to their
country now would be 20 break the
bonds Joining it with the other ma
tions of tho allied cause and accept the
appeals that have been received
through Berlin.
The Germans have successfully
scattered the word among the less in
formed Russians that they are play
ing a losing game and that their allies
would have nd compunctions about
desertnE them If they could obtain an
acceptable Independent peace. Wash
ington and the capitals of the Eu-
ropean allies are pessimistic over the
future fighting effectiveness of Russia,
although not entirely abandoning the
possibility of a return to power Of Ker-
ensky, in which event the armies could
be held In the field and at least a sem
against the enemy, requiring his re-
tanning a considerable army in the east
instead Of Withdrawing all Of the men
from that front as would happen
should an understanding for a discon'
tinuance Of hostilities be arrived at be-
tween Petrograd and Berlin. On thS
other hand. members Of the Russian
commission in the United States
do not appear to be alarmed
over the latest turn in affairs
in their country They argue
that the faction that has dislodget
Kerensky Is of the fire brand variety
having its counterpart in the Indus
trial Workers of the World IN Amer
lea. and that il VIII prove 10 be moth
ing more serious than a temporar,
thriller. They say that Petrograd Il
not the whole of Russia. Simply be
cause the Maximalists have been abl
TO seize and terrorize the capital, the
argue, THAT does not prove that the,
are strong enough to dominate the ma
tion, or even a small part Of il, an
Russia is a ~eountry OF considera bl
size. we all must agree, Furthermore
the 'newssthat is coming out Of Russi
since the rebels gained the ascendanc
is censored so that only announce
inents favorable to the Maximalist
and their cause are permitted to com
through.
< So all we can do IS TO sit steady an
WYATT for all Of the facts. If they ar
ever to be had There is no douhtin
that Germany has made political II
roads in Russia to the injury of tn
entire allied cause. but how far reaci
ing they are to prove and how permit
nent in their character time alon
will determine.