The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1918-02-14
Many Factors Detract from
Advantages Which Cen
trail Powers May Gain
RELIEF IN FOOD
Is VERY DOUBTFUL
Prisoners TO Be Released Are Austrians
IN Poor Condition-Absence of a
Treaty Leaves the Teutons Facing a
Menace at All Times.

WASHINGTON, Feb. with the
opening Of the great campaign Of 1918
on the western front apparently within
sight military men here examined to-
day with profound interest the situa-
ton created by the signing of a peace
pact between the central powers and
the new Ukraine republic and the de-
cision of the Bol4hevik Russian GOV
eminent to stop fighting and dcmobililc
the army.
Their conclusions were not discour-
aging These events on their face would
appear to set free enormous German
forces for the impending battle in the
west aud also 10 furnish new sources of
food supply for the Tcutouic allies, but
many factors dctract from the advan-
tagcS the central powers may derive
One of the threats against the west
cru front dwclt upon in public discus.
,ion ~ the fact that presumably 800
eoo prisoners of war held in Russia
would hc released 10 strengthen the
German army. The fact is said To be.
however, that the great majority Of
the soldier. captured by the Russians
are Austrians, not available for west.
crn front operations bv present indica-
tions Most of the others are civilians
or camp followers Of one kind or an
other and. 81 far az known, only a small
number of German troops were captured
on that front. Any men from the pris-
on camps are regarded a. Of doubtful
value for some time to come, rs the
Russians, unable 20 feed their own sol
dlers, hardly have improved the health
of captives.
There is doubt here also rs to the
extent which the food resources of the
Ukraine or of Russia can be brought TO
the aid of the German people in the
near future
Failure of the Russian TRANSPORTATION
system worked iu Germany interest
in undermining The fighting power of
the Russian armies
The sams agency now Jkbcs ,aif&i
works against the Central Power, i'm
their desire 10 gct out food supplies.
Moreover, the remote sections Of the
I Irainc are in such poor condition that
the agricultural system may have 10 be-
made over. difficult process, with the
confusion that prevails.
GENERALIZATION of the Russian army
VIII not mean that an the Austro. Ger.
man Bulgar forces ou the frontiers can
ho Withdrawn There will be q con.
Ntant threat of renewed hoStilities and
ihr TCutous must See To- il that ample
force is always at hand.
Ia fact, diplomatic observer, say
Germany is confronted with tar most
difficult aud Unprecedented problem She
has met during the war rs q result OF
the declaration that Russia has aban
doncd h0stilitie4 without the signing
of peace treaty. The refusal of til,
Russians to sign any treaties alicnat.
ing tho Russian western provinces. the
dlplomut7 point ont, will leave the cen
trail powers without any legal claim (,
their possession. German and Austrian
tenure will rest entirely upon the asser
ttou at force, without reception of in
trrnaitoual law, and couscmentlv mus
he subject 60 the decision of whatcvc,
form of tribunal finally determines tn,
basis Of general peace.
Should Germany aud Austria resoly,
10 refuse 20 recognize the BolShcvil
decree rs terminating the war. vithou
'I' ''HHi Hdllbu VI ludI action Nv
treaty IN the usual form. their armic
would he in the position of killing an
mrcsistiug and uuarmcd people, pro
cccding regarded here as certain Z,
cause trouble for the Tcutonic GOV
crnmcnts with their people at HON,
IN appeal from the Rus sian peasant
To the working classes of Germany an,
AuStria, il is believed here, would no
fail of q sympathetic response cmbal
a'-lng 10 the military PARTIES
The United states never has rccop
uilcd the BolNicvik regime and Ru,
sia IS abandonment of the war will no
alter existing relations. This was mad
clear 90 the state department whcr
n also wa1 stated that the formal sign
ing of % peace treaty lay the new GOV
crnmcnt of the Ukraine could have II
diplomatic effect ~ far as this govern
m'nt ts concerned. The first official il
tm"tIou that peace had been signc
was received today from Minister We
prNa ai Jassy, Ruuauia
such consular officers as tho Unite
states happens to have i'm Ckrainian ten
N.., t.,t.