Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1918-03-07

New York, Mar. 7.-The Stock Ex.
change market is displaying a substan-
tial undertone, which may be considered
all the more significant in view Of the
discouraging reports that still are com
ing forward from Russia. The collapse
of all government in that unfortunate
country is not more important as a fun
damental financial factor than that the
true aims of conquest have been so
clearly and frankly displayed by the
Prussian military party, to which all
other enemy interests are admittedly
subseryient. Hopes entertained in var
lous circles but short time ago that
the closer meeting Of ideas as expressed
in the more recent formal addresses Of
President Wilson and by the official
representatives of the British, French,
German and Austrian governments
would in the near future mean actual
and formal peace negotiations are per-
maps not today. held quite so confident
ly. The decision of the Prussian military
party to continue its policy of conquest
after the Bolshevih representatives had
unequivocally agreed to the peace terms
imposed upon them hardly can fail to
produce new ehasm of division. OBJ
viously, negotiations would be mere
waste of time when one party to con
tract is so flagrantly violating all pro-
misses and assuranees-is indeed openly
and frankly disregarding all principles
OF honesty and right. War can end only
when victory for freedom and civiliza-
tion has been achieved.
The sudden turn Of affairs in Rus
30. Aatu nf
porary delay for such victory. Yet an
opposite result does not appear alto
gether improbable. Reports from Aus
triaHungary suggest u difference of
principle and Of purpose and desire to
end the war ON more honorable terms.
The promptness with which the re,
labor troubles in Germany were sup
pressed diminishes appreciably the hope
that aid in forcing a proper peace may
at this time be relied upon from with
in Germany itself. But Austrian influ-
ence, and, beyond that, the basic fact
that such large army will be required
to protect communication with the Ger
man invaders, may after all become real
factors in restoring conditions to q
point whore peace shall come more clear
~ into view. Undoubtedly there is great
err latitude for negotiations between
Washington and Vienna than between
Washington and Berlin. II appears to be
in this direction that we must look for
evidences Of a real disposition of tho
enemy toward peace.
As to Russia the situation is a bad
one-it could hardly be worse. At the
same time the solution must be APP
preached from a broad viewpoint. So.
cialistic illusions are rapidly being de-
stroyed. llliteracy is so great that an
effective method Of promulgating
prompt news Of failure is not available.
This is an unfortunate handicap But
Russia eventually will pull itself to.
gether. 1t is a vast empire. Its people
are subject to classification by groups;
they are divided by climatic, racial and
numerous other considerations. The cd
ueated classes, recognizing fully these
primal handicaps Of a united nation,
feel that the solution must in time be
reached by the turning of the new re-
public along lines similar to our own,
which will always stand out so clearly as
an example for other people when they
como to understand the difference be-
tween freedom and license Russia today
needs such form of government. Its