Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1918-03-09
EVENTS OF WEEK

VS 1S03 sSotns1. -@F0vdonce JOURNAL
EVENTS OF A WEEK
While Germany has been comparatively inactive in
the field. especially on the west front where her great
est strength is massed, there has been no slackenins
during the week in the political strategy which she Is
employing to break up the solidarity Of her adversaries
and establish her control over them in that way. Dur
ing tho week there has been the same treatment of at
fairs in Russia that has prevailed for months. We have
been informed on successive days that the peace nego-
tiations were abandoned, that peace agreements had been
concluded, that they would be ratified and that they
would not But through it all there has been no hest
tation on the part Of Germany. without pause ,.er
troops have been working forward into the Russian en-
pirs. until they are now within a few days march Of
Petrograd.
It has been definitely announced that Petrograd has
been abandoned by the Bolsheviki as the seat of govern
mont, and Moscow, the ancient capital, has been again
reinstated as the capital Of Russia. hamburg, a town
about 80 miles by rail from Petrograd, was occupied by
the German advance guard on Thursday, to be recap
tured by the Bolsheviki troops the following day. Most
Of the diplomats Of the allied governments have left
Petrograd. and all foreigners save Germans or German
sympathizers are leaving or attempting to do so. The
faction in power has raised objections to granting pass
ports to others than diplomats, and the interpreta ton
placed on this attitude is that the Bolsheviki intend
to hold many of the foreign residents of Petrograd there
rs hostages.
OF special interest just now are the developments
In Finland. in the processes of disintegration which has
shaken the Russian empire into fragments. Finland
took advantage OF the opportunity to assert her indie
pendence, q course in which she was aided by Germany
in accordance with the Evolutionary German love Of the
Independence Of small nations which are not under her
own rule. A Finnish republic was declared. Then fol-
lowed the negotiation Of a peace treaty between the new
republic ana Germany, in which Germany is given a
controlling voice in the important affairs Of Finland.
Taen came the report which has not yet been denied
that the Finnish leaders had requested the proclamation
of Prince Oscar, fifth son Of the kaiser, as king of Fin
land. The sudden assertion by Germany of a dominant
influence in Finland has aroused much feeling in swe.
den. The acquisition of Finland by Russia was alway.
Sdistasteful to Sweden, because it was believed that thi,
step presaged a strong effort to extend Russian author.
~ over the Scandinavian peninsula The exchange OF
~ Russian for German Influence in Finland is not likely
10 be reassurdns to the swedeA, who have had some
NJ rather impressive lessons Of late in what Germany's mex,
Aoor neishbors have to expect from her.
. . -
The week has also witnessed the practical capitu1a.
zion Of Rumania to Germany in order to save some rem.
Of her former territory and prevent the total ex
III tinction Of her national existence. Still further, in he,
I 0yO0Alu8eup pOuCy WIN reverence Z RUSSIA. GefNnAnS
S has insisted on the remuneration Of Russian authorit,
over several small provinces in Asia Minor and Trans
MCAucasie. and these. according to the German program
sEars 20 be erected into separate states, with German in
SSfluence dominant in all their affairs. Germany has pur
Maled with apparent success up to the present time thu
g99Spoicy insRussa which has attempted and found inef
i#s2ective in the domain Of world politics at large-th,
sS$psIicy Of bringing about. the breaking up Of the empir.
the fermentation Of discords from within. and tn,
sSsSeonclusion OF arrangements advantageous to hersel
each Of the fragments in turn.
sI#9@&S gSs ~ . . y .&a
The eyes OF tho world have been turned with srea
s~S#aIntsrest on the Developments In the far east, whore Their
s%74e 8arisen the possibility Of the destruction or tn
SaMa01sguisttion by German interests Of the vast stores which
EAccnnnulated for months at vladivostok, which were Il
sNbeSnsed by Russia in her prosecution OF the iwari In which
8aa51hs has cessed to be an active factoE,. Japan has indi
NsGAAed her willingness 70 send troops To- the continent q
s@apfsysnt such = calamity. and the proposal has receive,
sSxhs close attention Of the authorities in all the alice
a1eaappah.l.
ssNTwS Important features tsnd 10 compli1ase tie At
&S911s1 mt nons of Japan;s al1isS look vish any n
f6SAfAnAe q ths prospect ~ the slinins 81 ! strong foot
S1AEky JApans m Nanchnria. with the xrip that this i
{eSs14s Efvs fAr#ons M anairss 81 china! IN the secone
ff9SasNhils xBnasia q il ) state 81 dieantsgr4s 1by5 Ansr
ESeAaAs - 1ef many Russians A sextFsms s4nshtye
5ssssads l1sserfsssaes III ~ s1l3lrs, "a S ssAds aaAe