The Idaho recorder. [volume] (Salmon City, Idaho) 1886-1927, 1918-02-22
RUSSIA COUNTED
OUT OF THE WAR
UKRAINE SIGNS PEACE PACT AND
BoLsHEVIKI EXPECT TO DE-
MOBILIZE ARMY.
Act Of Treachery of Russ Not Expected
to Aid Huns but Slightly, Be-
cause Men Liberated Are
in Bad Shape.

! Washington.--With the opening OF
the great campaign of 1913 on the
western front apparently within sight
| military men here have examined with
! profound interest the situation created
by the signing of a peace pact be-
tween the central powers and the new
| Ukraine republic and the decision of
the Bolsheviki Russian government to
| demOblliZe the army.
Their conclusions were not discour-
| aging. These events on their face
| would appear to set free enormous Ger
man forces for the impending battle
in the west and also to furnish new
sources Of food supply for the leu
tonic allies, but many factors detract
from the advantages the central DOW
| ers may derive.
One of the threats against the west
ern fronts, dwelt upon in public dis
cussion, is the fact that presumably
l,5OO,OOO prisoners of war held in Rus
STA would be released to strengthen
the German army. The fact is said to
be- however, that the great majority
OF the soldiers captured by the Rus
SLAMS are Austrians, and not available
for western front operations by pres
ent indications. Most of the others
are civilians or camp followers of one
KIND or another and so far as known
only small number of German trOops
were captured on that front Any men
from the prison camps are regarded as
OF doubtful military value for some
time to come, as the Russians, unable
TO feed their own soldiers, hardly have
Improved the health of captives.
There Is doubt here, also, as to the
extent to which the agricultural re-
sources of the Ukraine or of Russia
can be brought to the aid of the Ger
man people in the near future. Failure
OF the Russian transportation system
worked in Germany's interests in nm
dermining the fighting power of the
russian armies. The same agency now
necessarily works against the central
powers in it's desire to get out food
supplies. Moreover, the best wheat re-
gions which may be opened to the Ger
mans are in remote section of the
ukraine and in such poor condition
lhat the agricultural system NAV have
TO be made over, Il difficult process
with the confusion that prevails
throughout the region.
rehabilitation of the Russian army
VIII not mean that the Austro- German
Bulgar forces on the frontiers can be
wholly withdrawn. There will be n
constant threat of renewed hostilities
ana the Germans must see to it that
ample force is always at hand.
In fact, diplomatic observers saw
Germany is confronted with the most
difticult and unprecedented problem
she has met during the present war
as result of the declaration that
Russia has abandoned hOstilities with
out the signing of peace treaty. The
refusal of the Russians to sign any
treaties alternating the Russian west
ern provinces, the diplomats point out.
VIII leave the central powers withou4
any legal claim to their possession.
German and Austrian tenure will res-
entirely upon the assertion of force
without recognition of international
law and consequently must be subiect
10 the decision of whatever form of fri
bunal finally determines the basis of
general peace.