The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1918-03-16

trous defeat, and there is no reason
to believe the new enterprise would
be more successful. They are far
more likely to remain north Of the
Black and Caspian seas, and concen-
trate their energies on developing
their new Russian territory, trading
their dreams Of a road to the Persian
gulf for the actually of an empire to
the north. The situation, il unchang-
ed, might develop a future war be-
tween Germany and Great Britain
but it is not likely to be q military
factor in this one.
Moscow Now Capital.
! Meanwhile the Bolshevik govern
ment has been moved to Moscow;
Trotzky is out and has been chosen
as head Of one Of the numerous com
mittees in Petrograd; and the germs
of revolution and civil war are
spreading to Siberia. The BoIshevik
government faces the tremendous
problem Of reconstruction in the face
Of internal dissension, possible jap
anese Intervention, and constant
German propaganda. The ratification
Of the peace treaty probably will be
followed by some decision by the AL
lies regarding intervention.
The rage Of German and Austrian
papers at the seizure Of Dutch ships.
and their frothings at the violation
Of neutrality" are amusing in view
Of Germany's record in this respect.
The Allies are violating neutrality
to feed the neutrals, while Germany
violated neutrality to murder, rob
and destroy. Serious complications
for the Netherlands may result, how
ever, If Germany begins reprisals,
and it is not inconceivable that Hol-
land will be forced into the war. Ger
many would welcome an opportunity
to invade the Netherlands, for their
capture would complete the pan Ge--
man program with some slight modi-
fcations which would be an improve
ment over the original for them.
German plans evidently included
the intimidation of the remaining
neutrals, BY the use Of the submar-
inc, she hopes to starve them into
German subserviency. Holland,
Spain, Switzerland, Denmark, Sweden
and Norway are to be starved into
submission to German rule, or their
commerce so destroyed that it will be
no competitor to German trade after
the war.
West Holds The Key.
But all the German successes in
the east avail her nothing while the
grim allied wall is stretched across
her western border, That line is be-
coming daily more menacing. Ire
mendous aerial activity continues, and
trench raids are increasing in extent
and number. That is where the war
will be decided and Germany knows
it. II the Allies can win in the
west, all the conquered territory
must be evacuated and restitution
made. The more the German lines
are extended in the east, the greater
will be the collapse when it comes.
And the collapse will come. It must
come. Germany may get some sup
plies in the east, although they are
not readily available, but she is pill
Ing up trouble for herself.
The force Of the American army is
beginning to be felt. They have been
giving the Germans opposite them no
rest, and yesterday they occupied a
section Of trench from which they
had driven their opponents. Dis
counting all the prejudice in favor Of
the American troops that the Amari-
can reports might contain, there Is no
doubt but that the men are proving
themselves man for man, superior TO
the Germans as fighters. They have
the size, the strength, the alertness,
and the initiative to make ideal fight
ing men. and they are going in ever
increasing numbers. The American
sector. is growing almost daily. This
week 1t was announced that they had
taken over a sector east Of Lunsvills
IIt would not be surprising II the two
American sectors gradually consoli-