Evening star., 1917-06-03

The kaiser has stated the decision 10
near at hand. He does not state. how
ever, in which direction he believes the
decision will be wrought, but. In light
Of the utterances of the royal mouth
piece. Won Bethmann Hollweg. this de-
cision IL expected on the high seas,
where Germany's policy OF frightfui-
ness and murder goes on even though
In less degree Of intensity.
The socialists of the empire, who.
the junkers claim, have the ear OF the
chancellor,
Socialist Policies last week
Revealed by Delegates. gates to
Scandinavia, where they are to attend
the world socialist conference at Stock
holm. These socialists are declared to
have enunciated a doctrine Of mo an
nexations and no indemnities." the
restoration of Belgium, presumably
with no monetary aid looking toward
the rehabilitation of the desecrated lit
tie kingdom: the establishment of an
autonomous Poland or a Poland which
shall decide whether 1t is to be under
many; rehabilitation OF the Balkan
states with the perfection Of Balkan
commercial league. 1t is even limited
that Austria should grant autonomous
forms to the Balkan peoples and those
residing on crown lands who are now
under the Austrian government. The
German socialists have made 1t plain
that they expect Germany to retain
Alsace-Lorraine, one of the great
French detectives in the present strug-
gle.
Though some steps toward peace may
be ushered in through the socialist delib-
erations in Stockholm. it is considered
likely that the policy Of mo annexa-
strued to different ends by the various
participants in the conference. It is
plainly noticeable that all socialists
who are In Stockholm, or those on the
way. invariably demand guarantees Of
future national safety. The various
certain territorial readjustments neces-
sary to the protection of their respec-
tive integrities. At the start 1t is plain
ly evident that the mo annexation-no
indemnity" policy, though high-sound-
ing in character. eventually will re-
solve itself into mo annexations. no in
IDENTITIES, If"
However, the deliberations OF the So
cialists will be watched with interest
by the entire world. as are the utter
delegations arriving in Copenhagen or
Stockholm. Greater significance. how
ever, possibly will attach to the con-
ference which has been called by the
Russian council of workmen's and SOL
diers' delegates for the middle of June.
The one element which is believed in
earnest in regard to no annexations and
no indemnities
Russian Elements is the Russian.
Believed in Earnest. workmsn.s and
soldiers delegates and the radicals of
the nation insist that there shall be no
annexations. 1t has been openly declared
that the Russian armies canot be ex-
pected to aid in readjusting the historic
changing the maps. 1t generally Is de-
clared that the allies must come to the
Russian way of thinking or Russia will
never continue to struggle on.
1t is significant, however, that Russia
is preparing to go forward on the battle
shown no inclination to abide by the let
ter Of the Russian socialists demands.
We are walking on the edge Of
knife across an abyss"
In this cryptic manner does Minister
of Labor Skoboleff of Russia sum UP
the provisional governments view of
the internal situation in Russia. The
critical situation never has been more
manifest, and the danger is as marked
as 1t was Immediately after the revo-
luton.
Russia faces Industrial chaos where
the factories in the Petrograd, Moscow
Dunaetz and Ural districts are domi-
mated by the workmen themselves. The
laborers are demanding increases in
wages in some instances twice the size
of the profits made by various indus
trial establishments. In Petrograd
strikes are on. Many factories have
closed. and it Is stated others will fol-
low If the workmen insist on their de
mands The munitions output is in
danger of being seriously curtailed by
labor difficulties.
The economic situation of Russia at
the present juncture Is far from salts
factory. 1t has been pointed out that
the food supplies are insufficient and
will continue so until better systems of
distribution are effected. The peasants
OF the nation have been called upon to
make even greater sacrifices that the
cause OF the revolution may be per-
petuated.
But that the peasant and working
man classes still offer grave menace to
the future of Russia. because of their
nized.
Boris Bakmetief. who probably will
be Russia's new ambassador to the
United States, and who heads the Rus
sian commission to the United States
declares that the Russian government
will remain steadfast in its purpose to
war on and under no circumstances
will 1t abandon the entente powers in
the present struggle. This sentiment is
re-echoed in Russia. This is the source
of much qualification In a11{Ad cIroI.,