The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1918-02-23
The War fOr" the Week

Once again developments in the
Russian situation have come so
rapidly during the week, that they
leave a sense Of hewilCerment, and
any comprehensive view Of the true
conditions is difficult Of attainment.
Early in the week came the
amazing announcement that the
Bolshevik government had decided to
accept Germany's terms for a sep
arate peace. It was coincident with
a report that the Bolshevik govern
ment had been overthrown. The
coincidence is rather significant. In
the first place. it must be remember
ed that the consuming desire in
Russia is for peace. Above every
! thing else the Russian soldiers and
worl1ingmen want peace ana an OPP
| portunity to enjoy all the benefits
they expect will accrue from their
new freedom. The Bolshevild came
into power pledged to bring peace
and food. Throughout their negotia-
lions they stuck to their demands
for a general peace without annexa-
tons nor indemnities. and when
Germany refused to consider such
terms, they declared the war was
over as far as Russia was concern
ed, and that they would neither make
war nor make peace.
Germans Call Bluff.
Germany promptly called this
bluff, and renewed the invasion Of
Russia. The Bolshevild then an
nounced that they could not hold out
against Germany longer, and hur-
riedly consented to the German
terms. The whole story of this sud
den change of position has not been
told, but beneath it there seems to
have been a break between Lenine
and Trotzl1y, the latter suddenly
changing his mind and casting the
deciding vote for peace.
But Germany was not so easily
satisfied. She had raised her terms
when she found how easily Russia
could be invaded. The invasion was
not halted, but the German forces
are marching steadily forward cap
turing city after city.
Another about face was executed
by the Russian government social
ed-and yesterday an order was is
sued to defend the Socialist Father
land" at all costs, by a guerilla war
fare and the destruction of all sup
plies which could not be moved. The
Russians evidently intend 10 retreat
from trench to trench, fighting as
they move back.
Viewed From Two Standpoints.
There are two standpoints from
which to view the Russian situation,
the purely selfish and the unselfsh.
From the latter standpoint 1t is
a CHASTITY tragedy. Cities and whole
provinces are being overrun by the
German invaders. They viii be
stripped of everything Of any value.
and the people virtually enslaved as
are those of Belgium and Northern
italy. 1t is a great footing expedi-
ton on the Vastest scale the war has
yet known. 1t will be pushed just
as far as the Germans think 1t ad-
visable to go. Perhaps Petrograd
itself will be taken. There is moth
ing to prevent the Germans march
ing into both Petrograd and Mos
cow. The pitiful resistance of the
BoIshevik rabble would be brushed
aside by half dozen army divisions.
These cities are still 800 to 400 miles
away. The immediate detectives
seem to be Reval, the great Rus
sian seaport which commands Pet
rograd, Pslzoff and Minsk. This
would give as the new front, an ir-
regular line descending directly
south from a point about 200 miles
west of Petrograd.
The Selfish View.
Viewed from strictly a selfish
standpoint. there is nothing more
alarming than has existed for the
last six months. As long as Ger
many is invading Russia, there viii
be fewer Fpen available for the west
front. ~ IFS being given a ter
r-itssa-flncement won Of the fruits of
imaries for theiaBam. The Bolshe-
u be held Marcel