The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-02-18
BY ROBERT J. BENDER.


Washington. Feb. 1S.-Russian
chaos and President wilson's day
light diplomacy have thrown the
battling nations of the central powers
and the repub blics of old Russia into
confusion and dismay
History fails to record parallel to
the situation existing today in the old
world.
Ukrainia, at peace with the central
powers. is at war with the Petrograd
Bolsheviki.
Germany, floundering in a situation
she created by trying to effect domi-
neering peace over Russia, finds her
self at war with the Bolsheviki-and
afraid to shoot.
Refuse to Join Germans
Austria. disa greeing with the Ger
man anneXationist plan toward Rus
sia refuses to align her soldiers in any
military demonstration against the
Bolsheviki.
Fear lest the Austrian people sway
Count Czernin against the German
junkers. under appeal of President
Wilson. gives the kaiser pause in his
next step.
Russia. anxious for a just peace,
finds herself at war with factions in
her own country. The powers, facing
possible collapse of the Bolsheviki,
don't know with whom to deal
The reins of the Lenine-Trotzky
regime appear slackening- Numerous
outbreaks of Increasing violence are
occurring.
Sailors of the Russian Baltic fleet,
first to embrace the original Petro-
grad revolution and then to jump to
the Bclsheviki, have broken away to
complete anarchy and are carrying
fire and blood thru Finland.
Anarchy Beyond Control.
Doctor Ignatius, Finnish representa-
tive here, today said cables showed
the Baltic sailors are now beyond
control of the Petrograd Bolsheviki.'' -
Their incendiarism and looting are
at the root of the new reign of terror
sweeping Finland, he said.
These rowing, disorganized bands
of marauders have killed their officers
and refused to obey the orders of the
Petrograd Bolsheviki They have
stripped the country bare of provi-
sions and plundered ruthlessly.'
And to further discredit the Boil
shev1ki, Officials of the Kerensl<y
regime in Washington, have issued a
pamphlet for circulation among the
guidance of this and other government
officials
Seek Universal Revolution.
In speaking of the Bolsheviki these
EN- bassy officials say:
Their internationalism is not based
on tne lueal or unity and cooperation
of nations entitled to develop them
selves along their own specific lines
but is a striving for universal revoIu-
ton of the worlds proIetariat and the
raising of a merciless class struggle.
THE fancy of the Bolsheviki draws
beyond the conclusion of the present
war, sinister picture that shows, in
stead of peaceful developments of ma
tions applying their energies to crea-
tive activities, destructive flames OF
social revolution thruout the world"
In this weird international tangle
President Wilson has thrust forth his
appeal for a just peace-squaring in
general and in many details with the
views of the Austrian people and add
ing further to the confusion of the
German junkerS.
How the trend of world events is
affecting these junkers and the Aus
trian government will probably revea
itself this week when Chancellor
Hertling at Berlin and Count Czerin al
Vienna are expected to answer the
presidents last address in congress.