Norwich bulletin., 1918-02-13
FINAL TEST OF ARMS
lcontinued from Page onel

vantases the Central Powers may de- rive. f
 f Returned Prisoners Not Fit.
 One of the threats against the vest ern front dwelt upon in public dis cussion is the fact that presumably l, 300 000 prisoners of war held in Rus sia- would be released to strengthen the German army The fact is said to be. however. that the great major ity of the soldiers captured by the Russians are Austrians, not available for western front operations by pres ents indications. Most of the others are civilians or camp followers of one kind or another. and so far as known, only a small number of German troops were captured on that front Any men from the prison camps are re- garded as of doubtful military value for some time to come, as the Rus sians, unable to feed their own sol- diers, hardly have improved the health of captives.
 There is doubt here. also as to the extent which the food resources of the Ukraine or of Russia can be brought to the aid of the German peo- i-ple in the near future.
 Failure of. Russian Railroad System Failure of the Russian transporta- l -tion system worked. in Germany's in 1 terest in undermining the lighting power of the Russian armies
 l The same agency now necessarily works against the central powers in it's desire to get out food supplies
 Moreover, the best wheat regions which may be opened to the Germans
 are in a remote section. of the Ukraine
 and in such poor condition that the agricultural system may have to be
 made over. a difficult process with the 1 confusion that prevails there through out the region
 ] Demobilization of the Russian army 1 will not mean that the Austro Ger 1 man-Bulgar forces on the frontiers can be wholly withdrawn. There will
 be- a constant threat of renewed hos tilities and the Teutons must. see tc it that ample force is always at hand | PerpIexing Problem for Germany.
 In fact, diplomatic observers say
 Germany sis confronted with the mos
 difficult and unprecedented problem
 she has met during the present war a:
 a result of, the declaration. that Rus sia, has abandoned hostiiities withou
 the signing of a peace. treaty. Th' refusal of the Russians to sign an. treaties alienating the Russian west ern provinces; the diplomats point out will leave the central powers withou
 any legal. claim to their possession
 German and Austrian tenure will res entirely upon the assertion of force
 without recognition of internationa law, and consequently must be sub
 ject to the decision of whatever forn of tribunal finally determines the basi
 of general peace. 4 Russia Remains Factor. , Should Germany and Austria re
 solve to refuse to recognize the Bol sheviki decree as terminating the wal without the confirmation of that ac l ton by a treaty in the usual form
 their armies would be in the position
 of killing an unresisting and unarn
 ed people. a proceeding regarded her as certain to cause trouble for the Teu tonic governments with their peopl at home. An appeal from the Russia; } peasants to the working classes 0 5 Germany and Austria, it is believe , here, would not fail of sympatheti
 response embarrassing to the militar
 parties.
 No Change in Our Relations Wit Russia.
 I The United States never has recos nized the Bolsheviki regime and Rus
 sia's abandonment of the war will nc 1 alter existing relations. This was mad clear at the state department, todd,
 where it also was stated that the fol
 maj signing of a peace. treaty by th
 new government of the Ukraine coul 0 have no diplomatic effect so far 9 this government is concerned. Tn r first official intimation that peace ha
 been signed was received today frol
 Minister Vopickas at Jassy, Rumani l Such consular officers as the Unite 5 l States happens to have in Ukrainia !, territory will be retained at their post ', in accord with all usages in the cas ', of the establishment of new goverr ments, but this cannot be taken n mean even a de factoi recognition. Off ' cial confirmation that either France ( . Great Britain had recognized the ne ' Ukrainian government was still laeF r ing today.
 :, Final Test to Come in West.
 The one clear thing in the who J. situation from a military point of vie, a is that the struggle has narrowt
 down to the western front, of whit - the Italian thebsre already has bee 1T officially recognized as a. portion |
 the allied chiefs. The final test l. arms is to come or that front