The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1918-02-16

J puzzled and worried them. If the
German anti-tunker party had been
in control, a separate peace would
have resulted. But the German
junkers are in the saddle. and they
knew Of but one weapon-the sword.
Consequently they have announced
that the arnistics is at an end, and
that they plan to continue the war
on the Bolshevtk government.
Meanwhile a separate peace has
been made with the Ukraine. That
is all that Germany has drawn from
the peace negotiations to date, and
this prize is far from being secured.
The Bolshevid are now lighting for
the control Of the Ukraine, and IL
they win it, which they probably win
unless German assistance is sent, 1t
means that the German prize pack
age is an empty bag.
The German Alternative.
Germany has the alternative OF
making a direct drive at Petrograd
to overthrow the Bolsheviz govern
ment or OF fighting the Bolshevild by
giving aid to. the Ukraine. The lat
ter plan probably will be chosen, for
1T is the less expensive in men and
supplies. The UlCrainians will be
used as the tools, but instead Of be-
ing source Of assistance to the
Germans, they are likely to be a
drain on German supplies as long as
the Red Guards are in the field.
All that can now be hoped Of RUS
STA is that she will keep a certain
number Of German troops occupied
the more the better-whether 1t Is in
an actual war, in policing the coun-
try, in putting down revolutions, or
in trying to occupy new territory.
Whatever ones feelings toward the
Bolsheviki may be. they offer the
best hope along this line. If the |
BolsheYild can firmly establish them |
selves in the Ukraine as well as in |
Petrograd and northern Russia, they
may still cause the German generals
more trouble than would a weak
hacked KerneslEy government, or a
pro-German autocraoy.
In Palestine. the rainy season is
now on and the. British advance OF
two miles was rather unexpected.
The raid OF the German destroyers
on the submarine chasers took a toll
Of eight ships. but they were the
small trawlers.
The "Psaes Negotiations. II
Meanwhile the peace negotiations
continue at long range. The Presi-
lsnt answered Count Czernin and
Won Hertling with his speech in
Congress early in the week, and both
these gentlemen are scheduled to re-
ply to this speech. Count Czernin
win make his speech today, and Won
next Tuesday.
The importance OF this long dis
anoe sparTing should not be under
or impatiently dismissed
Us a waste OF time and effort. Am
,rica has not stopped to secret
propaganda Germany has won her
greatest victories by this weapon
aussia for example, and the Italian
lrive-but America has chosen the
Weapon OF open discussion OF the.
ruth. Her propaganda need not be
ess effective because 1t Is above
board. She is frankly trying to win
Austria to a separate peace by fair
means, not BY bribery and secret
PREACHING OF Bedition. A separate
,eace with Austria would offset
verifying that has been won by
germany since the war began, not so
auch because OF the military
trength Of Austria as because Of her
position. Her removal
rould mean the rapid conquest OF
turkey ana Bulgaria and the hur-
fed retreat Of both the eastern and
FestsFn German lines for the way
Tould be open behind both Of them.