The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-11-27
UNITED STATES MAY
HELP IN SETTLING
RUSSIA'S TROUBLES

Washington, Nov. 26.-Word re-
ceived by tho state department today
indicates that the United States may
yet bear a vital part in the settlement
tof Russia's troubles. 1t was learned
today:
/. That the Russian northern arm
les are threatened with starvation,
This may throw them into revolt
aga inst the Lenine-Trotzky govern
mept at Petrograd.
.. II lis definitely established that
the Lenine -Trotzky government is i'll
wireless communication with Berlin.
5. A new 'socialistic government
tar raised It's banners at some point
not mentioned near Petrograd and
threatens those now in power at the
pital
4. The note of "eommissary for
foreign affairs" Trotzky. asking for
armlstice. liz before President Wilson,
following its receipt yesterday. 1t may
afford an opportunity for the presi-
dent to rouse Russia to the German
peril through such ringing message
as he sent to the Moscow conference,
ard 1t may afford the opportunity for
the overthrow of tue Utopian schemes
of Lenine and Trotzky through a
pointed ignoring of their suggestions
lied powers.
The state department was unwiiI-
ing to place any official estimate of
what the result OF shortage of food
among the troops about Riga and
through Courlsnd might presage. It
was unofficially predicted that the
shortage would be followed immediate
~ by pillaEe. Ii was also admitted
that this might afford the opportu-
nifty for the opposing German troops
10 treat with the Russians literally
in terms OF bread and butter. 1t was
not believed at the department that
the last mentioned would ensue.
II these armies go on a career Of
piI!age two results are expected TO
follow: There will be q general dis
orderly tendency against the present
control In Petrograd; and there will
follow the necessity for increased Ger
man forces at this point II Germany's
own food supplies in this section are
to be preserved.
The general Interpretation placed
upon this news from the state
department Is that II indicates col
isision between the Bofsheviki leaders
and the German government. IT has
been pointed out that no program
more. conducive to German interest
could he devised than the armistice
plan OF Lenine and Trotsky with its
accompaniment OF negotiations be-
tween the individual commanders of
the opposing Russian and German
armies.
The action Of the president on the
Trotzky note viii probably be govern
ed by immediate events, or course
there will be no acceptance of it's
terms. Russians here. however. have
been hoping that the time would come
when a word from President Wilson
might cryxtalize things In Russia
about some DEFINITE form OF control
fer the continuation Of the wer--ft rs
tho opinion Of Ambassador Bakhene-
tiff that the Ienine-Trotzky program
Of peace represents anything hut the
soul Of Russian sentiment. He has
repudiated It himself and said that
Russia really wants the war carried on
10 a successful conclusion, il the way
can only ne shown.
| II is now believed in view OF to-
| days developments. that the time IS
coming when affairs will he in such
n state OF fux in the revolution torn
land that reply To Trotzky NAV
show the vanity of his Utopian prom
Use In the face OF the knewn character
of the German governm emit and NAV
bring Russia to rally abort some lead
| er who Will battle on until a sane re-
| puhlicsnism is assured.
I It was suxgested here today that
| the attitude Of the allies on the Trot
ykv document might he determined
at the Paris conference when II meets
on Thursday. The further suggestion
was heard that the conference might
! md IT expedient To permit presiden I
| Wilson to act a. ,ts spokesman as he
acted In his reply to the peace pro-
| posal s of Pope Benedict.