Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-07-15

little understood as that of Russia to-
day: but yet 1t cannot be an eNaggera-
non to say that IL Russia continues on
the offensive Germany's position is to-
Day worse than at any moment In tho
war, and this fact must be at no distant
ume clear to the Germans themselves.
AS pointed out some weeks ago, the
Russian formula of peace without an
nexafion has removed all real cause
Tor war between Russia and Austria
Given an ever increasing pressure upon
austria by Russia, taken together with
internal disturbances due TO Slayonic
revolts, and 1t is manifest that a time
may come when We shall see Austria
considering u separate peace with the
enemies or Germany: we may, in a
word, see the escape of Austria Hun
gary from the military and political
domination of Germany Should we see
TINS. German defeat would be absolute
h hnn aerman aims and ambitions OF
nali century would be destroyed
In Sofia. in Constantinople. quite an
much as in Vienna aid Budanesr tha
RUSSIAN offensive must have Its moral
e, mesl ~ IT continues. 1t would have no
such effect If the Russia of the cara
was again threatening eastern F,urona
with Its might But TINS new Russia
carries no such menace to Turkey. Bul.
cara or AUSTRIA. A Russia filed with
Utopian dreams but impotent IN the
neld would hardly bring her ancfent
Toes 70 resign their conquests and adopt
RUSSIAN principles. But a Russia still
processing tdea and practicing her Utopian
IDEAS and at the same time stronr In
the field would deserve a difrerent hear-
ing all over the world
U. 5. or Russia to Dominate Council.
Nor will Russia.s allies he ah,a 20 a..
regard Russian ideas and ideals ~ Rns
sra is able to resume her place In fhA
pattie i1ne. In point Of fact, am SAT-
Isneo ehat either the United States or
l ,. Will In the end dominate the al
iled councils and exercise a controI,inp
influence on the settlement of the world
CONNECT. If Russia does not 20 on with
the battle she will not be able to exer-
else much direct influence. however
costly her withdrawal NAV be TO ali tie
rest Of the nations f1ehtine Germanw
II we do not send armies to Europe the
allies may be beaten, with Russia ont
put II we do send armies our voice must
pe heard and our influence must be
recognized. And it is worthy of note
| that In most respects the war aims of
this country and revolutionary Russia
are near together.
1t IS Idle to speculate much about the
I Mn so far as Russia is concerned.
we may have a counter revolution
winch viii place the extreme radical
and pacifist elements IN control and
bring an immediate peace. We may
nave triumph OF the old regime. with
similar results. We may have the rise
OF wholly new military dictatorship
of the Napoleonic type. which may
make Russia a great peril rather than
a great aid to democracy, even though
this military dictatorship is founded
upon victories achieved at German ex-
pense.
Today we can only see that the return
OF Russia to the battle line is an event
OF relatively minor military import
ance. given the present battle evidence,
but of almost tncalculable moral weight
II it is the authentic sign Of settled
Russian determination to fight the war
through. Russia has not yet renewed
the triumphs of 1914 and 1915: she has
not yet given promise of such sue
cesses. She has merely displayed a will
to fight. which, If maintained, must
shorten the war, as it must make much
more patent to the world the hopeless.
ness of the German position.
But in returning to the battle line
revolutionary Russia has assumed q
role that must not be mistaken. Her
voice in the making of peace after war
will be commanding; we shall have
different kind Of peace than any we
believed possible a year ago If Russia
keeps on and holds to her present priu-
ciples.