Evening star., 1917-12-30

in sociaIistic pap. but the striking fact
remains that the Germans have not ac-
cepted the Russian terms, though stat
ing they offer bases for negotiations.
The Germans furthermore will not ac-
cept the Russian terms in toto. Ger
man Imperialism cannot AFFORD to en-
courage the socialistfc principles adj
vanced by the Russians The French
socialists have pointed this out to the
socialists Of Russia in asking that they
separate peace which would betray the
democracies Of all nations into the
hands of Teutonic imperialistic policies.
Germany today Is playing a danger.
Jus game with the Russians Though
gaining the
Kaiser Playing things she wish
Dangerous Game. her DEALINGS with
the bolsheviki are concerned. her terms.
her procastination in regard to the Inn
mediate conclusion Of peace. and her
vague utterances as to the very policies
which seated the bolsheviki in power
are causing unrest and suspicion in
Russia.
During the past week there have been
growing opinion among all classes Of
Russian people that the bolsheviki can
not be trusted. Already in Petrograd
the bolsheviki leaders are being termed
German hirelings." AS time goes on
people to learn just how the bolshevikf
obtained power and have retained it.
Germany brought about the seating Of
Lenine. Trotzky ct al. through the elab-
geoise elements. which were declared to
be in power, and opposing the best in
terests of the people. The German paid
leaders felt 80 sure OF their power that
they proceeded with the elections for
the constituent assembly. They played
upon the prejudices OF the peoples in
order to win at the polls. The constftu-
emit assembly as 1t stands at present is
composed of 36S constitutional demo-
Gratis. while only forty-eight out-and-
out bolshevik delegates have been
elected so far to serve in the body. The
disappointed bolshevik government in
Petrograd during recent weeks has
brought every pressure to bear to frus-
tion as voiced through the assembly.
In this very action Lenine has made
his great mistake, for during the past
ten days the proletariat has begun to
mfstrust the political clique In Petro-
grad. which first proclaimed the people
should rule and now ia doing every
thing possible to silence the voice Of
the people through its only elective
body.
There have been signs that Lepine
and Trotzky. realizing the danger to
/ their continued control. have shown a
degree of moderation. in so far as the
It is noteworthy feature that the ut
terances OF Lenine and Trotzky show
| they might even tolerate a constituent
assembly without bolshevik working
! majority.
The bolsheviki has been forced to
modify their policy in regard to the
constituent assembly. because they
have seen the Handwriting on the wall
ed. Several regiments in Petrograd,
which heretofore have been at the beck
| and call Of Lenine. have begun to think
| for themselves and have demanded that
| military units have refused to march
| against the Ukrainians, while others
| have permitted Cossacks to disarn
(, them The soldiers want peace, but ap-
trust the bolsheviki Is growing among
the fighting elements as well az the
civilian sections of the population.
| N. Tchernof. former minister of
agriculture, and Nine Catherine Bresh-
Defy Bolsheviki; social revolu-
| Will Call Assembly. on,1,a oasn,v .nase nave
the bolsheviki, and stated that they in
tend to call meeting of the constituent
lassembly for January. at which time
many of the vital problems Of the ma
tion. which the bolsheviki have futilely
tried to solve. will be taken up.
The bolsheviki may, as a last resort
forget moderation and attempt to curb
such effort as far as they can. at least
i pack the assembly in such way that n
/ will not truly represent the will Of the
people. or by governmental decrees
/ oust the majority Of it's members TO sea,
bolshevfki, but these developments can
not be accurately foreseen In view OF
the extremely complex situation pre-
Ivaiiing in Russia at the present mo-
iment.
The government in Petrograd an.
tnQunced some time back that the ma
!jdrity OF the Russian forces would be
ldemobflized, an act which must have
pleased Lenine's master boss In Ber-
lin. and now il has decreed that the
manufacture OF munitions and impIe-
iments OF war shall cease and that the
effort expended In war measures shall
be devoted to the more necessary tash
fof rehabflttating civilian industry, and
THAT moneys expended for the purpose
OF prosecuting tbs war shall be used