Evening star., 1918-04-07

present period 40 at other junctures
Trotsky in some entente circles, there
being an inclination to place them In
the class OF misguided. impractical
theorists, but when the history OF this
war 10 written their afaliatton with Cert
manic purpose will be proved beyond
peradventure. Inasmuch az they have
done SO much to make possible the
overrunning of Russia and will con-
tinue to do so, 1t cannot be expected
that they will assist the allies In any
way.
II Russia arises II will be due to the
full awakening of the Russian people
to the, perfidy of their present leaders
and the knowledge that their best in
terests can best be served by the en-
tente nations rather than Germany. An
tipathy toward the Germans Is con-
stantly growing and the resentment
against Lenine and Trotzky increasing,
though as yet these leaders remain
pretty firmly in the saddle due to the
among the generally hopeless and dis
couraged peoples.
If the allies ever receive aid from Rus
sia it will be after a new regime has
been ushered in and the people flock to it
ready to make the sacrifices, economic
and otherwise, essential to re-entrance
into the struggle. Owing to the extreme
state Of chaos which has been ushered in
unlikely that even a new regime with the
best intentions and the backing of, the
people ever could offer more than des-
ultory resistance to Germanic aggres-
be unable to render military assistance
even approximating that under the cars
regime, when regiments were sent into
battle against modern implements of war,
armed with brickbats, clubs and NUM-
tions made of sawdust. At least, there
was organization in the cars armies.
In the Russian armies of years to come
there will be little of this unless mill
tary miracle is worked.
So much for any possible aid that
might be rendered the entente by the
Russian people during the remainder Of
the war.
The Russian situation continues inter-
esting principally through continued Ger
manic aggression.
Germans Push The Germ n
Their Aggression. against several
soviet actions as violating the terms OF
the Brest-Litovsk treaty. This in the face
Of their own fragrant shattering of all
promises and pledges made to the Rus
slams The Germans are pressing through
Ukraine, making certain that the rich
grain and mineral lands Of southern Rus
sia do not escape Teutonic grasp during
the remainder of the war. The Germans
ing Kharkov. In the Caucasus the Turks
are attempting to take control OF Kars,
Batoum and Ardaham, the provinces
ceded to Turkey by the Brest-Litovsk
treaty, but are meeting armed resistance
from Armenians and qeorgians An
to-, %k~ Nod %0it ~ $tHkS
Germans in signing the Brest-Litovsk
treaty is the order Of German command
ers to the Turks to instigate Kurdish
activities against the Russians retiring
declared that the Kurds should pay no
attention to the armistice pact whatever
and punish the Russians as much as pos
Gible during their retreat.
Finland in a military way. thirfy-five
transports laden with troops having un-
loaded their human cargoes at Hango
during the past ten days. The Germans
will render every assistance to Gen. Man
nerheim and his white guard force In rid
ding Finland of the Objectionable red
guards. While doing so Germany will
take every step possible forever to make
Finland a vassal to the German empire
Tammerfors has been seized by the Ger
mans and white guards. while. the COM
bined forces are marching toward the
Murnansk railway. where communication
with Russia will be cut of. Petrograd, by
such action, will be practically isolated
from the outside world.
The Japanese situation still hangs un-
settled. Foreign Minister Motono told
the members of the japanese diet that
Japan had not offered to step into Siberia
and prevent extension of Germanic influ-
ence in that uarter, but would do SO on
the request of the allies British jour-
nails continue to urge the advisability Of
Japanese Intervention in the far east, as
do some Italian and French newspapers.
Opinion generally Is divided, however, as
to the advisability Of such step at the
present juncture and it appears the at
titude of the United States has prevent
ed prompt action by Japan In the far east.
At least the views Of this country have
deferred Japan and others Of the entente
powers. Whether Japan ever steps in Is
matter Of some conjecture. Just how
far-reaching the landing Of forces at
Vladivostok will be remains to be seen,
though 1t is deemed a purely local mat
ter and one designed to protect Japanese
interests there.