The daily commonwealth. (Greenwood, Leflore Co., Miss.) 1916-1919, 1917-04-27
THE RUSSIAN SITUATION.

The new Russia was born amid difficult times
and it is small wonder that it is experiencing oil
fculty in maintaining itself-in fact, it has great
er difficulty in maintaining its provisional govern
ment than it's principles, which will live come what
may. /,
What actually is transpiring in Russia is not
clearly evident, except that the provisional gov
eminent is having difficulty in exerting its author
ity. The Council Of Workmen's and Soldiers De-
puties has sprung up, and is menaclng the pro-
visional government in many particulars, notably
in opposing the war policy. Concessions have been
made by the provisional government, such as
promising this Council that it has no intention
Of warning for conquest or for Constantinople;
but this does not seem sufficient to the council"
and much discussion evidently is taking place.
Some of the Russian papers set forth the claim
that there are now "two governments" one the
"Council'' and the other the provisional govern
ment. both being democratic, yet working at
cross purposes. The semi-ofhcial Russian newspa-
nen are sometimes pes3jmistic. The Russkia Volla
summed up the situation in the words, "a power
which is menaced is not q power but a semblance
Of power"
Much of the trouble in Russia is due to econ
omic reasons. The revolution emphasized them to
4 certain extent; and now the underlying effort
Of the Russian people is to live rather than to fight
hard.
The Russian armies are still in the trenches,
hut are doing little. The worst feature OF their
innocuous desuetude is that they invite attack,
should the Germans be able to spare sufficient
men for the purpose. This may seem unlikely,
though there are stories that Germany will start
4 Petroarad drive this summer. No one will be-
lieve this probable, but Russia's seething affairs
invite such q catastrophe with the least effort.
The action Of the Council in issuing instruc-
TONS to the people to disregard orders OF the gov
ernzaent where these conficted with those OF the
sCounca," has turned Russia from a continuous
potentially to the allies to a possible liability.
There is small wonder that Washington is deeply
interested in the Russian troubles, because If Rus
STA caves now there will " much more effort on
orr part in the great war.
How the needed soldiers are to be gotten isn't
anywhere near 80 important as promptly getting
them.
AAAAMMA
Cos. Sleeper, Of Michigan, wss wide-awake
mhen he signed the 100000 state war isap bill.
MAhAAAA
Germany is making a mighty poor investment,
III 1t is paying real nneney for Mexican promises.
nAAAAAA
Raeguiting is proving there's no seetinnal SEN
Hfmext IN willingness to shoot for American rights.
MAAAAAA
Not all .Gernnas soldiers will fight harder for
being told they must wis to keep Bill on his throne.
AAAAMAlA
Don't he so engrossed with teHipg the other
6eIow 70 do his bit as to forget to do your own.
AAAhAAA
I'M man in Congress can get away with the
sBturtDfs running whA both har. and hounds.
AAAAAAA
Hearing sea battles off the Adssatjc coast was
alscsa aAsbit during the little war with Spsaa,
aAAAAAAA
We may not have to fight Germany, alone, but
1T will be wisdom to get in condition to do so.
AAAAAAA
.Byjkeeping the bride Of common sense on pub
lie promises private regret may be lessened.
AAnsAAAAA
Resumption Of diplomatic relations with Mex
leo doesn't mean any let up in watching 1t.
AAAMAAA
Joe Cannon's toy has gone dry" However,
jhe does not spend much time there.
Every 'busting' tire makes a noise like an ex-
ploding bomb to some people.
MAAAAAA
The man with the hoe is chesty these days
II he knows how to run il.
nAAAAAA
The line between the fool and the cocksure Is
unusually hard 70 zee.
AAAAAA
It's an improvident family that depends on
volunteered help to live.
lSlackers may get some good thought, but they
Ut ~ good words.
nAAAAAfA
r AZ npK countries that haven't the war few
;0r Gmeb ehills.