Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1918-02-13
MILITARY MEN OPTIMISTIC
Experts Believe Recent Events
win Give No Great Adj
vantage to Germany.
MANY PRISONERS RELEASED
Failure Of Transportation
Lines viii Delay Exchange
Of Supplies.

" NSnINGTON, rcb ~ with the
opening OF the great campaign Of 1918
on the western front apparently with
In sight, military men here examined
today tho situation created by tho
signing Of a peuo" pact between the
central powers and the new Ukraine
ieppbllo and the decision II the l'ol-
AhcNill government Ia stop lighting
and dtmOhili2c the army
rhcir con 'lIsions were not discouing-
inr. These events on their face would
Hppcar tu free enormous 6ormth
forces for the impending battle In
the west. and also tn furnish new
sources of food supply for the leu
tonic allies but many factors detrhct
from the advantages the central pow
crs may derive.
one uf the threats against the west
eru front dwelt upon In pubic Discus
sion ~ that presumably 100000 prs.
oncra OF war held In HuAsin would be
released TO strengthen the German
army. The fact is said 10 he, how
ever, that the great inyi0rity OF the
fsoldiois captured ry the ltubslans are
Austrinns not uvilnhle for western
front operations by present indira-
tons Most OF the others are civilians
or camp followers OF one Kind or an
other and 80 far Az known only a
small number OF German troops were
captured on that front Any mon
from the prison camps are regarded
as Of doubtfnl Hilltary value for some
time 20 come, as the u lssians, unable
10 feed theif own soldl,"a, hardly have
Improved the health " -aptiycs,
Transportation Fails.
There IN doubt, also. hs 10 the ex-
tent TO which the agricultural re-
sources OF the Ukraine or OF Russia
can be brought 20 AID The German
people In the near future Failure OF
the Russian transportation system
worked In Germany's interest ir un-
dormlning the fighting power Of the
Russian armies. The same agency
now necessarily worlts against the
central powers In getting out food sup
plies, Moreover The hest wheat re-
gions are In remote sections OF tho
Ukraine, and In such poor condition
that the agricultural situation may
have 10 be made over, dif,icuit proc
css with the confusion that prevails.
nomobiiznti1 IN 'of the Russian army
will not mean that the Austro Ger
man Bulgar forces On the frontiers
can he wholly withdrawn. There vii.
be constant threat n renewed hos
Titles md the Teutona must see 20
u that ample force Ia always at hand
In fact. diplomatic observers say
Germany Is confronted with the most
difficult and unprecedented problem
me has met during the var rs re
suit OF the declaration that Russia
has abandoned hostilities without
sigulng a peace treaty. The eefusal
OF the Russians to sign my treaties
glicnnting the Russian western prov.
irccs. the diplomats point ont will
leave the central powers without ahJ
legal claim TO their possession. Ger
man and Austrian tenure will res
entirely upon the assertion OF force
! without recognition OF interna tionn
law and consequently must be subjec
TO the decision Of whatever form o
tribunal determines general peace
Test on West Front
should Germany and Austria refuse
/ 10 recognize the BolsheylN decree M
| terminating the war without confir
nation Of that eciion by treaty theil
/ armies would be In the position o
/ killing an unrosigtlng and unhrmec
| people, proceeding regarded her'
M certain 20 cause trouble for til'
/ Teutonic governments with their peo
! CONTINUED oN PAGE FOUR