New-York tribune., 1918-07-02
The Situation in Russia

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Advices from Germany are that the
Teutons will send an army "to restore
order" in Russia-always with "Max-
malist-that is, Bolshevik-aid Thus
does the German game steadily proceed.
1t is situation full of the strangest diff
1iculties; how to cope with it at present
taxes the best minds Of the Allies.
The part that America might play is
not clear. Practically any intervention
Oh our part, even of the most friendly
sort, would be regarded with hostility by
the existing government, if government
it may be called. The fact to be kept
clearly in mind is this:
The Bolsheviki wish to maintain their
power at any cost They care very little
for the preservation of Russia Their
aim is the success Of the revolution. not
the success of Russian armies They
seek the establishment of the most eX-
treme socialistic state, in any possible
form and at every possible hazard. The
Baltic provinces, the Ukraine, perhaps
Siberia, too, are lost. For this they care
wives.
To this end they have not hesitated to
seek German aid on to accept German
gold. The charge that the Bolshevill
leaders have accepted German money has
been freely made. 1t has been doubted
by many. Our information is that def
mite proof on this point is now in the
possession of the Allies and that the evi-
dence is strong enough to convict the
whole crew in a court of law.
If this be true, the fact must be fairly
we'll known in Russia by this time. We
know that the collapse of the Bolshevik
government must be near. The food sit
uation, which has long been precarious,
now seems reaching a crisis. Famine.
actual famine, not for few localities, not
for few cities, but famine for seventy
five or a hundred millions, is imminent
The prostration of business is complete
In what is left Of Russia large part of
the factories are closed. Almost all the
banks are closed. The flood Of paper
money has practically ruined every kind
Of commerce and exchange. Prices are
at fantastic eights-something like as
IN the last days of the Confederacy; all
semblance Of law and order is gone; loot
ing, plllage and rapine extend over a
large part of the former empire.
1t may be asked why Germany does
not step in and seize the rens OF govern
ment and complete its conquest of the
Vho p1o;,
not ready. Germany's profit is that the
present anarchy and reign Of disorder
shall continue. The German army could
have taken Petrograd last winter. 1t
could have marched on Moscow. It could
to-day be in possession of the RAILWAYS
and have completely ousted the Bolshe-
wiki from power. 1t plainly does not
wish to do this. It's time will come.
When the people of Russia have been
starved and pillaged into utter despair
they will welcome the German intruders
as last resort. A considerable part of
them might rise in revolt if the Germans
were to seize the reins of power now.
Meanwhile our information is that the
Germans have bought up almost all
the banks and large interests in the
sugar factories, the sawmils and the
like. Even if they were to take Russia
by conquest, they could hardly seize the
factories and banks and railroads az
booty. Some semblance of civilized pro-
cedure must be maintained. 1t is
cheaper to buy up Russian industries
now when they are PROSTATE and the for
mer owners of these industries are in the
last trench of necessity.
This, then, is Germany's game. Its
purpose, as has long been clear. is to pro-
long the war as far as it may in order
to consolidate its vast gains III this great
empire. How can this game be met?
First of all, it seems certain that the
end OF the present reign of Missionaries
and mercenaries cannot continue long.
The Bolshevlli will go to pieces, even il
supported to some extent by German SOL
diery. We believe that Germany will not
assume responsible control until anarchv
is complete, if it is not now, and prac-
tically the whole Russian people will
welcome any kind of change The pro-
posal that this country should recognize
the Bolshevlki seems TO US in the light of
our present knowledge simply grotesoue.
Their hopeless incapacity seems effective.
ly demonstrated.
If the limited StateS 90, Jo .,.