The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1917-12-29

Nevertheless, believe the better
judgment Of the mass OF the people
viii be asserted and Germany will
not succeed IN forcing q separate
peace. Such q peace cannot be con-
Guided IL the allies promptly give
their help and suggestions.
The Maximalists now In control
are much stronger than generally
credited. In any future reorganiza-
tons or attempts at a stable govern
ment, the Maximalists must be con-
sidered and handled rightly.
The chaos is most evident in the
manufacturing and railway districts
where the Workmen's and Soldiers
delegates are in absolute control
They work or not. as they please
and, everywhere may be seen work
men loafng. Women are doing much
Of the work in the shops, along the
railway tracks. and in the fields, and
even as brakemen. Where one wo-
man is working, 500 men are loafng
"A hundred thousand soldiers are
crowding the stations. attempting the
management of the trains and sup
porting themselves on a small daily
allowance. to which they add by
thieveFy and smuggling.
Plenty Of Food.
The railways and all other in-
dustries are operating at only 80 per
cent Of their effective power. Food lie
plentiful but is not being distributed.
The peasants are holding a three
years stock OF wheat and other
staples, but refuse to sell because the
ruble has greatly deprecated in
value or is regarded by them with
suspicion.
"The government evidently is UNI
able to commander food and famine
threatens, for which the peasants
largely are responsible. There is also
a coal famine and the production is
only one third OF the normal because
the miners are refusing to work.
AT Vladivostok,, the supplies OF all
kinds are carefully guarded. The port
authorities have erected large ware
houses and there is not much de-
terioration in the supplies. The Boil
sheviki are I'M possession and the
soldiers maintain order, but laborers
are uneasy at the prospect that the
Of the good conditions
Is uncertain.
siberia is not so much disturbed
as Russia and it is the peoples de-
sire to support any government ap-
pearing to be stable. The uncertainty
IN ttuSSlA rests In the vast pT6pOnQST-
ance OF the $50, 900, 900 persons in the
peasant class. II Germany is allowed
TO finance and advise them, the sit
uation is lost"
Favorable to America,
He said that everywhere he found
the people well disposed toward
America. Even when soldiers stopped
his special car and entered il, they
apologized and withdrew on learning
that the passengers were Americans.
The American influence is strong,
possibly stronger than that of the
other allies, and Mr.. Stevens thinks
it now should be exerted to the ut
most, but that the application of
physical force in any degree is not
advisable.
In conclusion, Mr.. Stevens said:
Not for g moment should the al
lies relax their sympathy and help,
but on the contrary, should quadru-
pie their efforts. The best sentiment
in Russia is with us, but the uues-
ton is how to give in such manner
as to maintain the sympathy OF the
intelligent classes and Offset the
German influence. We should earn
estly beg the allies not to punish the
Russian people who love their coun-
try, nor to abandon them to the
Germans.
I'VE are going back, and will stay
there as long as we can be of any
to the Russian people,"