Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1918-02-21

washington, Feb. 19-Announcement Of
the purpose Of the Bolsheviki government
OF Russia to sign a peace treaty based
upon. the humiliating conditions imposed
by the Germans caused no surprise in
official circles here in view of the failure
OF the attempt Of the Russians to influence
the German socialists to prevent an attack
on unresisting pepole.
An irresistible demand by the great
masses Of the Russian people for peace
had brought about the downfall in turn
Of three successive governments: That of
Gear Nicholas; that Of Prince Lvosk and
that Of Kerensky. Lenine and Trotsky
according to the official understanding
here were fully aware that their regime
would share the same fate If they failed
t orespond to the overwhelming demand
of the public
There was danger Of overthrow from the
more PATRIOTS Russians through accepting
degrading terms of peace, but having care
fully calculated the chances, it believed
here that Lenine and Trotsky finally de-
cfded In the face of the renewed German
advance into Russian territory that their
only hope Of maintaining control of the
government lay in complete submission to
the German demands.
Such peace treaty as now may be
signed, according to the official view here,
must depend for its vitality and legality
entirely upon the outcome Of the great
war. Being made under absolute compul-
sion and by what is regarded as nothing
more than faction Of the Russian peo-
pie, the allies in a peace conference would
demand that 1t be disregarded
THE GERMAN TERMS.
Accepting as accurate the statement
credited to Trotsky in his report upon
the Brest- Litovsk negotiations. that the
German terms included the retention Of
Poland. Lithuania, Riga and Moon Island,
and an indemnity Of 800. 600 900 pounds,
1t Is pointed out that the proposed treaty
will be in direct violation not only Of
all peace principles laid down by the
entente spokesman and President Wilson,
but of the often quoted Teutonic declara-
ton Of mo annexations and no indemni-
ties" However, it Is taken for granted
that there will be an attempt to dis
guise these demands and deny they con-
stitute either indemnity or annexation.
1t Is fully expected that an effort will
be made to show that what the German
Reichstag meant in declaring against in
IDENTITIES were punitive exactions and not
repayment for the actual damages sus-
tanned through the tremendous Russian
drives into Poland and Galicia in the early
days Of the war. Also it is anticipated
that the claim will be made by the Ger
mans that their continued occupation Of
the western Russian provinces il not
really annexation in the Objectionable
meaning Of the term: the occupied pro-
vinces are to be held only as a pledge
for the payment Of the indemnity.
1t is realized. however. in diplomatic
circles that the signing Of such a treaty
will serve to strengthen tremendously the
military parties in Germany and Austria
where they have been seriously threat
ened by the socialistic elements because
Of the Inadequate peace arrangement
they have made with the Ukraine.
AS the treaty must mean cessation
of the Bolsheviki attacks upon the
Ukraine the German troops which were
to have been sent to the defense Of
Ukrainia will be released for western
service. Otherwise 1t is not perceived
by the officials here how the compul-
sorry signature OF Russo-German
treaty can have any further effect upon
the conduct of the war, as the trans
fer of the German eastern army to the
western front has been fully antici-
pated by the entente military comman.
ders who are confident Of their ability
to cope with the reinforced German
armies.
1t developed to-day that the officials
here are awaiting with the keenest in
terest confirmation of reports that
Turkish and Bulgarian troops in large
numbers are being sent into Belgium.
1t may be stated on authority that such
a movement would have the gravest
consequences so far as America is con-
cerned. and that 1t would be regarded
as justifying an immediate declaration
of the existence of a state of war be.
tween America and Turkey and Bull
garia.