The circle banner. [volume] (Circle, Mont.) 1914-1939, 1918-02-22
RUSSIAN DETECTION
NOT WORRYING j. s.
ALLIES HAVE PREPONDERANcE
OF MEN AND MATERIALS
ON WEST FRONT.
PRISONERS TO BE RELEASED
Opinion Prevails That Teutons Held
Prisoner in Russia viii Be in no
Physical Condition to Fight
for Many Months.

Washington, Feb. 13-With the open
ing Of the great campaign of 1918 on
the western front, apparently within
sight, military men here are examin-
ing with profound interest the situa-
ton created by the signing of the
peace pact between the central powers
and the new Ukraine republic and the
decision of the Bolsheviki Russian
government to stop fighting and de-
mobilize the army.
| Their conclusions are not discour-
| aging. These events on their face
would appear to set free enormous
German forces for the impending bat
tie in the west and also to furnish
new sources of food supply for the
Teutonic allies, but many factors de-
tract from the advantages the GEN.
trail powers may derive.
Health of captives Poor.
One of the threats against the west
ern front dwelt upon in public dis
cussion is the fact that presumably
| 100000 prisoners of war held in Rus
STA would be released to strengthen
the German army. The fact is said
to be, however, that the great majority
of the soldiers captured by the Rus
slams are Austrians, not available for
western front operations by present
indications. Any men from the prison
camps are regarded as of doubtful mil
itafy value for some time to come, as
the Russians, unable to feed their own
soldiers, hardly have improved the
health of captives.
Little Hope of Food.
There is doubt here, however, also
as to the extent to which the agri-
cultural resources of the Ukraine or
of Russia can be brought to the aid
of the German people in the near fu-
ture. Failure of the Russian trans
portation system worked in Germany's
interest in undermining the fighting
power of the Russian armies. The
same agency now, necessarily, works
against the central powers in its desire
to get out food supplies.
Rehabilitation of the Russian army
Bulgarian forces on the frontiers can
be wholly withdrawn. There will be
a constant threat of renewed HOSTILE
ties and the Teutons must see to it
that ample forces are always on hand.
In fact, diplomatic observers say
Germany is confronted with the most
difficult and unprecedented problem
she has met during the present war
as a result Of the declaration that
Russia has abandoned hostilities with
out the signing of peace treaty. The
refusal of the Russians to sign any
treaties alternating the Russian western
provinces, the diplomats point out,
will leave the central powers with
out any legal claim to their posses
sion. German and Austrian tenure
will rest entirely upon the assertion |
of force, without recognition of inter-
national law, and consequently must
be subject to the decision of what
ever form of tribunal finally deter
mines the basis of general peace.
Should Germany and Austria resolve
to refuse TO recognize the Bolsheviki
1ecree as terminating the war without
the confirmation of that action by a
treaty in the usual form, their armies
would be in the position of causing
IN unrest among unarmed people, a
regarded here as a cause |
,or trouble for the Teutonic govern
nents with their people at home.
No Diplomatic Effect.
/
lized the Bolshevid regime, and Rus
las abandonment of the war will not
liter existing relations. This was
made clear at the state department,
where it was also stated that the
ormal signing of a peace treaty by
he new government of the Ukraine
ould have no diplomatic effect, so
ar as this government is concerned.
he first official intimation that peace
ad been signed was received from
finister Vopcka at Jassy, Rumania. /;
Such consular officers as the United
tates happens to have in Ukrainian
erritory will be retained at their
oStS in accord with all usages in
ne case of establishment of new gov ,
but this cannot be taken to
lean even q defacto recognition. |
The one clear thing in the whole
tuation from a military standpoint
that the struggle has narrowed
Jwn to the western front, of which t
lie Italian theater already has been b
ificially recognized as a portion by Y
lie allied chiefs. The final test of "
lie arms is to come on that front and O
le entente allies place entire conf d
snce in their numerical superiority of C
en- and materials.