Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1918-02-28
ADMIT THE ALLIES.
M|sRElD RUSSIANS.

WASHINGTON, February 28.-Ad-
ministration officials read with keen
interest the article on the Russian
situation by Arno Dosch-Fleurot in a
leading newspaper. One official was
willing to agree even that the Root
mission may have failed to grasp the
real situation, as Mr.. Fleurot states.
THE situation in Russia changed
completely while the Root mission
was on the way back to this country,
he said. In fact, changes were so
numerous that it was difficult to keep
track of them all The situation con-
.tinues to be very confusing, to say
the least Mr.. Fleurot, l notice, frank
ly admits that he also failed to grasp
the SITUATION, although he was con-
stahtiy on the ground"
There Is little eoubt that different
course would Lave been followed in
han fling the Il:sien situation could
the present situation have been fore
seen from the outset. At all times
American officials have endeavored
to take a generous view of Russian
matters. Some Allied statesmen have
not been overconsiderate at times
and undoubtedly have damaged the Al
lied cause with the radical elements
in power in Russia.
Doubt was expressed that the AL
lies could have prevented the Russian
debacle with the case indicated by
the newspaper representative. That a
conference to discuss war aims such
as outlined in the article would have
been beneficial in holding Russia in
line is conceded Internal differences
in Russia have been so great that
officials long have felt widespread
era of civil war was we'll nigh in
evitable.
When the Root mission returned
one of the leading members predicted
that Russia would break up into
series of states which ultimately
would unite in a great democratic
confederation. Many observers here
believe that Russia is headed in that
direction.
Armysexperts were inclined to day
to take the view that the Allies and
the United States will profit by the
new German drive into Russia. They
expressed surprise that the intelli-
gence departments of the Allied ar
mics had been led into the belief that
Germany has withdrawn vast numbers
of trops from the casters front leav-
ing it sufficiently strong only for de-
fensive purposes. From the press re-
ports of the new German offensive our
experts believe Germany still has
large force on the eastern front.
One officer expressed the convic-
ton that Germany is now employing
in Russia more divisions than have
been used there for months. 1t is
believed by military experts here that
the Kaiser will be compelled to main
tain very considerable military force
in the east to overrun the provinces
OF Great Russia and maintain order
in them.
American General staff officers no
longer look upon Russia as serious
military factor Some are inclined
they watch the sweep of the German
army into Russia with little more
than academic interest The capture
of Russian equipment will not be OF
material assistance to the Germans on
the Western and Italian fronts after
present supplies Of ammunition are
exhauseted. The Russians guns and
rifles all take different ammunition
from that used in German and Aus
trian guns, but the metal will be of
real value in making over into suit
able arms The reported capture of
foodstuffs, motor trucks and railroad
rolling stock are said to be of far
greater value to Germany, for the
present at least
If the Germans maintain their drive
American experts are confident they
will meet increasing resistance and
that ultimately the Russian people