Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1918-07-09
US. AND ALLIES
WILL KEEP ROAD
RUSSIA OPEN
Uninterrupted Communica,
ton Through Kola and by
Rail 10 Petrograd. Plan

Washington. July Sit is pos
sible to state at least one definite
conclusion with respect 20 the allied
and American policy toward Russia.
The road TO European Russia must
he kept open to the allies. That Is
the road which leads through the
port of Kola. on the Arctic Ocean.
and by railroad direct 10 Petrosrad.
The port is now in the hands of
allied and American naval and ma
rine forces. which are extend
ing their sphere of influence south
ward along the Murmausk railroad.
The Germans. knowing full wei
the danger TO their plans 50 long as
the road is open 10 the allies, are cit
deSNorinC TO cut il and 10 isolate
i[ola If they cannot capture that ice
rec port. II is the German plan TO
surround European Russia 50 far
as II is possible 10 do So-to cut on
The Russians from all connection
with the remainder of Europe and
leave open only the long distance
route through Siberia to Nladivostok.
The enCirClins band of German steel
may extend even that far il some
ininE Is not done 10 prevent II.
Whatever steps may be necessary
10 keep the kola gateway open VII.
he taken. That will involve first or
all the rapid strengthening of the
somewhat meaEer garrison already
at kola and strung along the railway
in the direction OF Petrograd. Already
committed 10 the kola project, the
United States will participate in the
further operations there. and deVel-
n -n-.T.z- will HANfsn~
firm dispatches that the conference
at the White House Saturday after
noon was taken up largely with 4
discussion of the Kola situation.
There were persistent and inter-
eStinS reports Saturday evening that
decisions reached at the conference
might go beyond the Kola project,
hut those have not been confirmed.
The vast stores which the allies
shipped TO kola for the Russian
army prior 10 the time the BolShe-
Wiki took control ultimately may be
turned over 10 the Russian people
or TO q rehabilitated Russian army,
but such a disposition of them
would not be possible. il is argued,
II II were not for the presence at
this time OF an armed international
force at the Arctic port. That force
i protecting the supplies. and. fur
continue 10 protect the line over
which the supplies ultimately must
reach the Russian people ii at all.
Germans Driving Toward hola
The Germans are driving ahead
.Oward koIa. The latest reports indi-
cate they will demand OF the BolShe-
Nlk government the free passage of
German troops through Petrograd in
the direction OF kola. II the BolShe-
wiki ~
how completely they are under the
influence OF the Germans, and il also
would he Interpreted as lending aid
10 the Germans in their avowed at
tack upon the allied defenders of the
only port through which European
aid can be sent TO Russia. The fruits
Of such an act well may be imagined.
While dealing with his Cabinet Of
hcerS and the chiefs Of naval and
military operations on the specific
subject Of kola, President Wilson is
continuing to keep his own counsel
regarding the larger aspects of the
Russian situation. He is maintaining
the retiCenCe which marked his
Fourth of July address. There has
been such wide speculation through
out the country concerning what the
ultimate policy of this country will
he that the President is being urged
anew 10 discuss the subject.
Secretary Lansing said last even
ing:
The Russian situation is in such
shape that l can say nothing respect
ing it at the moment
No Anxiety Regarding Francis
While mOmentOus events are
transpiring in Russia. including the
assassination OF Count Won Mirbach.
the German ambassador. at Moscow.
the State Department remains with
out advices OF any sort from Ambas-
sador Francis, at Nologda. The last
telegram from Mr.. Francis was dated
June -. two weeks ago. There have
been other long periods OF Interrupt
tion OF communication, however. and
no anxiety is felt