The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1918-03-04
CLEWS
 TTVEEKLY LETTER

The Stock Exchange market is dis playing a substantial undertone which may be considered all the more sig nifcant in view of the discouraging reports that still are coming forward from Russia. The collapse of all gov ern1nent in that unfortunate country is not more important as a fundamental financial factor than that the true aims of conquest have been so clearly and frankly displayed by the Prus- sian military party, to which all other enemy interests are admittedly sub serfvbent. Hopes entertained in var lOus circles but a short time ago that the closer meeting of ideas as ex- pressed in the more recent formal ad- dresses of President Wilson and by the official representatives of the British, French, German and Aus trian governments would in the near future mean actual and formal peace negotiations are perhaps not today held quite so confidently. The decision of the Prussian military party to con- tinue it's policy of conquest after the El0lshevik representatives had une uivocally agreed to the peace terms imposed upon them hardly can fail to Iroduce a new chasns of division. Obviously, negotiations would be mere waste of time whe0 one party to contract is so flag Intly violating all promises and assurances-is indeed openly and frankly disregarding all principles of honesty and right. War can end only when victory for free dom and civilization has been achieved.
 The sudden turn of affairs in Rus ria seems to contain some threat of temporary delay for such a victory. Yet an opposite result does not ap- pear altogether improbable Reports from Austria Hungary suggest a diff ference of principle and of purpose and Q desire to end the war on more honorable terms. The promptness with which the recent labor troubles in Germany were suppressed dimin- ishes appreciably the hope that aid in forcing a proper peace may at this time be relied upon from within Ger many itself. But Auesrian influence and, beyond that, the basic fact that such a large army will be required to protect communication with the Ger man invaders, may after all become real factors in restoring conditions to Q point where peace shall come more clearly into view. Undoubtedly there is greater latitude for negotiations between Washington and Vienna than Washington and Berlin. It appears to be in this direction that we must look for evidences of a real disposition of the enemy toward peace.
 As to Russia the situation is a bad one-it could hardly be worse. At the same time the solution must be ap- preached from a broad viewpoint So- ciahstic illusions are rapidly being de- stroyed. IIliteracy is so great that an effective method of promulgating prompt news of failure is not avail able This is an unfortunate handi- cap. But Russia will eventually pull itself together. It is a vast empire. Its people are subject to classification hy groups; they are divided by eli matic, racial and numerous other considerations. The educational classes, recognizing fully these primal handicaps of a united nation, feel that the solution must in time be reached by the turning of the new republic along lines similar to our tNll+ WHICH WILL dlWtIyS olellLI OAI SO clearly as an example for other peo- pie when they come to understand the difference between freedom and li- C7rsc. Russia today needs such a form of government. Its various states or provinces need self-Sovern- ment on lines corresponding with their own peculiar requirements. But they must he subject in matters of national defense, of foreign trade and similar matters to 8 central govern ment. This is unquestionbly the ulti- mate solution of the Russian ques- tion.
 At the moment, however it is the immediate rather than the remote Russian situation which must be rec ognized as a factor in the financial situation. Germans and AustrianS who have been prisoners in Russis have been released. They thus are added to the enemy's fighting