Denver labor bulletin., 1918-01-05

ing and we may expect their downfall
in very short time. But, whether
they fall tomorrow, or even today.
they have already committed their
greatest crime against Russia and the
Allies: they have disorganized and de-
moralized the once so-glorious Rus
sian army. While Mr.. Trotsky is pa
thetically exclaiming that the Bolshe-
sikh will not kneel before the kaiser.
and that in case Germany offers Rus
sia offensive peace terms" the Boil
sheviki will declare a revolutionary
war" on Germany, while play-acting
so in the mids. of the Russian trag-
edy which the Bolshevid have them
selves created, the truth Of the situa-
ton is plain: the damage the Bolshe-
wiki have already done to the Russian
military machine is almost irrepar-
able; there is probably no longer a
Russian army in existence and the
roads to Russia are open. A separate
peace between Russia and Germany
under present conditions, would be
peace on Germany's terms. Russia,
under these terms, would become prac-
tically vassal of Germany.
II should be understood that a sep
arate peace with Russia, on the terms
which Germany is now able to dictate,
resorting probably to some pseudo
democratic camouflage, would be a
realization beyond the widest dreams
of Prussian junkerdom. This victory
would strengthen the political position
of the German militarists and justify
for the population of Germany their
sacrifices during this war Germany
extending her rule over Austria Hun
gary, Bulgaria, Turkey, Rumania and
Russia, with the possession of the re-
sources of these countries, with access
to every kind of food, metal and raw
material. becomes almost unconquer-
able At best. war between Germany
and the Allies, under such circum-
stances, will last for another several
years, until a military decision favor
able to the Allies is reached At worst,
the war may end in some sort Of COM
promise, leaving in existence two an
tagonistic forces: the German au-
tocracy with her vassals bound 70 her
militaristic chariot, on the one side,
and the union Of democratic nations
on the other. Such viii be the case If
peace is attained by Germany yielding
every possible concession In the West
IN exchange for a free hand in Russia.
Sooner or later such a situation would
bring another war, another worlds
tragedy with millions OF dead.
Hope for the great allied cause, un-
der the present difficult conditions,
lies in the national movement against
the Bolsheviki, already active in many
parts of Russia, the movement which
will turn against any attempt of Ger
many to DESTROY the newly organized
centers of the Russian democracy and
to conquer Russia economically. The
recent movement, which began after
the Bolshevik revolt and which re-
suited in final "separa tion" of many
parts of Russia, such IS Siberia, the
Caucasus, the Cossacks' regions and
the Ukraine is very significant. II is
a remarkable expression of the in
stinct for elf-preservation, which is
still very powerful in Russia.
After the Provisional government
disappeared and the role of the CEN
tral government was usurped by the
Bolsheviki, many parts of Russia de-
cided to live, temporarily at least, in
dependent of central government, and
to work out their local problems thru
their own properly organized local
governments. This movement is sig
nificant not only because it solves one
of the most important problems con-
fronting the new Russian democracy
the problem of organizing the local
governments-it is also sign that
centers for future opposition to Ger
many have already been organized.
The psychology of the Russian peo-
pie must be properly understood.
Russia is longing for peace, but a
separate peace concluded on the terms
Germany will dictate will act on the
country as the lash Of whip. Rus
sia's losses in this war, up to date, are
about 100000 men. Every Russian
/
Russia now about 10000. 900 or 50,-
600 900 men and women who have sac
rificed the blood Of their children, hus-
bands and brothers in this war. Now
can you imagine how Russia will feel
when the Germans appear, practically
rulers in the country, and from day to
day the news will be coming that Ger
man troops released from the Russian
front, thru the treaChery of the Boil
sheviki, are concentrating their en-
deavors in the West, threatening the
very existence of the French, English.
and American democracies.
In this Russian psychology lies hope
for the Allies and the Allied great
cause. The signs of national move
ment against the BolSheviki and the
Germans have appeared in Russia,
and this movement will grow with
every endeavor of Germany to impose
her rule on democratic Russia. The
main task of the Allies. in case sep
arate peace is concluded. must be an
active support of this nation. The AL
lied Democracies must make definite
distinction, once for all. between the
Bolsheviki and the Russian people
Whatever the Bolsheviki do, the be
trayed Russian democracy should feel
that the Allied Democracies are with
her at this critical moment of her life.
1t should be realized that even il Rus