New-York tribune., 1917-12-11
The Bolshevik Truce
A Novel Explanation Of the Purpos.
Behind Lenines Policy
To the Editor Of The Tribune.


ern front may give Germany a chance 70
deal the Allies quick blow with the help
OF the armies thus released for duty in the
West. II may, on the other hand, II Lenine's
optimistic plans do not miscarry, lead 70 a
much more energetic resumption Of the war
bv the Russian armies. The Bolshevih eyea
maintain that but for that armistice Ii,
Russians would not under any circumstances
resume the fighting against Germany in
way likely to decrease the pressure on the
French and Italian fronts. This is the res-
son they give:
The Russian masses. well acquainted with
economic democracy, il not with political
democracy, having through their numberlsss
cooperative societies acquired self-conscious.
ness and self.conhdenee, capable, in spite Of
their illteracy, of solidarity and definite
group thinking, feel proprietary interest In
the revolution. Zemstvo leaders, indignsn.
over the reasonable attitude Of the Russian
monarch and over the more than suspicious
ineficiency of his war chiefs, decided ia
March of this year to take the matter il
their own hands and to run Russia.
Inc hEsSldu
The Russian mob OF 1917, however, was
not as ready and willing as the French mob
Of 1889 to surrender its prize to middle class
orators. Milukoif failed 70 convince the
workingmen, peasants and soldiers that they
should let him manage their" revolution.
And so did herensky. Like Joan Of Ares
tattered pennant, the mob had been in the
thick of the fray; it intended TO be at the
feast. The mob wanted 20 rid itself Of
everything and anything that might remind
one of the Romanotf nightmare. And to
many Russians the great war was simply one
Of the Romanof ventures. The memory Of
the Manchuran war, undertaken TO promote
the lumber business OF the Romanofs, was
still ranking in their minds. German
agents had probably realized the importance
Of fertiliZing the soil in which that seed
would grow. Since the Romsnofs were
gone, why accept their inheritance! Why
continue 10 fight their war? At the close Of
an address he delivered in Odessa KerensD
was approached By a soldier, who made the
following remark TO him: "Ctizen Minister
the object OF the revolution was to secure
lands for the peasants ] an peasant
Why should fight? For If &c. killed
Will never get any land"
Lenine and Trotzky felt that If Russia
was 10 be saved from becoming a yssssl Of
Germany, if the revolution was 70 be saved
from the HOhenzollern bludgeon. the Rus
sian people must be MADE 10 fight not
Romanof war, but war Of the Russian
revolution. And therefore they decided
first to put an end 20 the Romanof war. 4r
arnisticc would, they thought, serve a tso-
fold purpose-put a stop to what the people
considered Romanof enterprise and then
and especially, allow the Russian revolt
tionsts 20 reveal their accomplishments and
their aims 10 the German fighters across No
Mans Land.
TO Convert Germans
During the armistice millions OF Russian
soldiers belonging 20 the various border
Municipalities, Firms, Balts, Poles, Galieisns,
Lithuanians, Bohemians, etc, who generally
understand and speak German, will frstsr-
nize with the Germans. and will act as in
termedaries between the Russian revolution
and the would-be reyolutionists in the Ger
man ranks. After which the Bolshevik gos-
ernment viii present TO Germany its terms
of peace: the evacuation of Poland, Gslieis,
Serbia, Rumania, Italy, France and Belgium;
IN other words, peace without annexation OF
indemnities. Germany cannot very well be
expected TO grant such demands, especially
when presented by an invaded adyersary'
neither will she allow many army corps 70
fraternize with the Russians; she has sug-
gested dead zone Of sixty miles between the
lines during the armistice.
But then Germanys refusal 20 concluce
peace would be the equivalent Of a declsrs-
tion of war by the Hohenzollern sutoersey
upon the Russian republic. This would be
brand new war with a purpose, reyolu'icn-
airy purpose. The Russian revolutionists
unwilling TO fight the foes of the Romsnohs'
would turn with the energy OF despair upon
the foes Of the Russian democracy.
Lenine's plan may prove rank failure
may cause the collapse OF the Allied resl'F
ance and the triumph of German arms :,
On the other hand. if the Allies can hoia
the Germans while this novel and Utopisn
propaganda goes on along the Eastern fron-
or until the new war spirit Is instilled in''
the Russian masses by the attitude OF Ger
many, Russia will probably become a deeis.
ing factor in this mighty struggle, instead o.
remaining cause for worry, an unknoTa.
changing and undependable quantity, likely ~
any minute TO upset all the campaign psns
Of the Allies. ANDRE TRiDoNs
New York, Dec. 10. l9lI. -