Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1918-05-14
GREAT EMPIRE LOST
BY RUSSIA TO HUNS
John F. Bass Gives Details Of
Drastic Treatment by
by Germany.
BY JOHN r. BASS.
Especial Correspondence OF The Even
Ing Star md the Chicago Daily Nevvs.)

b1 JOhN PASS
Especial Correspondenee Of The Even
PARIS. France. April S.-Let US ex-
anime the first treaty made by Ger
many with an enemy, that of Brest-
Litovsk. in which the Russian republic
made peace The first principle which
the Germans pretended to follow was
that of the rights Of people to dispose
of themselves. In this treaty of Brest-
Litovsk whole provinces are disposed
of without any provision for consulting
the wishes Of the Inhabitants.
The treaty with Russia is drawn in
the same spirit as that with the
Ukraine. But the advantages taken by
Germany are even greater in the Rus
sian treaty than those which handicap
the smaller state. The commercial
clauses forced on Russia give to the
central powers exclusive commercial
privileges in Russia. Here we find the
abolition of the most favored nation
cluase In addition, under a disguise,
the treaty provides for a war lndem-
nifty. After this treaty it is not pos
sible for Germany to continue to talk
about economic liberty or peace with
out indemnities. Germany pays moth
ing. but Russia pays for all losses to
German subjects during the war.
Russia Loses Great Territory.
In the German Russia treaty Russia
is deprived of all territory west Of an
agreed line. Russia loses thereby all
the provinces which made up Courland.
Lithuania and Russian Poland, besides
the Ukra inc. Austria and Germany are
left to determine the fate of these coun-
n ;Al.
the consent of the population. The mil
itary occupation will continue until a
general peace has been signed. Russia
Is not for the present deprived of Es-
thonia and Of Livonia. but these Will be
occupied by a force of German police,
Russia agreed to eVacuate in south Of
the Caucasus the region of Kars Ar
dam and Batum to assure its cessiou
to Turkey. The populations Of these
regions, who are mostly Armenians and
Georgians. are not consulted. We may
imagine how they enjoy the prospect
Of renewed Turkish dominion. The
massacre of hundreds of thousands Of
Armenians in Asia Minor will, no doubt,
be repeated in these regions.
Ia conclusion. Russia by the treaty Is
deprived OF over $4,000. 900 of popula-
ton.
Anti-Russian Treaty Revived.
The seventh article of the treaty re-
vives-until u future treaty is made
the tariff treaty in effect before the
war. The war had abolished this treaty
with Russia and it was one of the fun
dame ntal causes of the war. as Russia
had not intended to renew it, This
tariff treaty was forced upon Russia
at the time Of its financial breakdown
after the Russo-Japanese war. and tn 9
Russian government had no idea OF re-
newing treaties which practically put
Russian industry and commerce under
the dominion of the central powers.
Assures German Road to Asia.
The free use OF the railroads toward
the east. especially toward Persia-this
was formerly refused by Russia-is
now guaranteed in this treaty. This
clause foreshadows a vast program of
German economic expansion toward
Asia. This opens also the field for po-
litical activity in Persia. India and
China, which inevitably accompanies
the commercial expansion of Germany.
To this may be added that the clause
for the use.of the railroads assures ALTO
the military control OF the railroads:
this because the German infiltration in
the Ukraine. which began long before
the war. will now become Intensified
under the pretext of directing the
transit OF German goods. Thus the
central powers can practically exer-
else strategical control Of the railroads
under privileges which. according to
the treaty. must be exclusive.