South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-02-13
GERMANY WILL
GAIN LITTLE BY
RUSS ACTION
Million Prisoners to be Re-
leased Mostly AuStrlanS-
Rail System Into Ukraine
is Broken Down.

WASHINGTON. FEB 1e With
the opening OF the great campaign
OF 1918 on the western front APP
parently within sight, military men
here examined TODAY WIKI profound
interest the situation created 10y the
signing OF a peace pact between the
central powers ard the new Ukraine
republic and tie decision Of the
bolsheviki Russian government 20
stop nghting and demobilize the
army.
Their conclusions were not dis
c0uragiug. These events ON their
face would appear 10 set free enor-
nous German forces for the inn
pending battle in the west and also
to furnish new sources OF food sup
ply for the TeutOnic allies. but
MANY factors detract from the ad-
VantaSes the central powers may
derive.
one of the threats against tine
western front dealt upon in public
discussion is the fact that presum-
at.y 100000 prisoners OF war held
n Russian would be released TO
strengthen the German army. The
fact is said TO be however. that the
great majority OF the soldiers cap
tured los the Russians are Austrians
not available for western front OPP
eratiOns by present indications. Most
of the others are civilians OF camp
followers of one kind or another
and so far as known only a sT1all
-.
tured on that front. Any men from
the prison camps are regarded as
of doubtful value for some time 10
come. as the Russians unable TO
feed their own soldiers. hardly have
improved the health OF captives.
Transportation Blocked.
There Is doubt here. also. as 70
the extent 10 which the agricultural
resources OF the Ukraine or of Rus
sia can be brought TO the aid OF
the German people i'm the near fu-
ture
Failure OF the Russian transpor-
tation system worked in Germany
interest in undermining the lighting
power Of the Russian armies. The
saI1e agency now. necessarily works
against the central powers i'm its
desire 10 get out food supplies.
Moreover the best wheat regions
which may be opened 10 the Ger
1ne n.i are in remote section OF the
t'kreine and in such poor condition
that the agricultural system may
have 90 be made over, a difficult
process with the confusion that pre-
Vaus throughout the region.
rehabilitation of the Russian
srpy viii not mean that the AustrO-
t;c4rnan-B ulga. forces on the from
clei- cal be wholly withdra .Tn-
There will he a constant threat of
renewed hostilities and the TeutOns
must see TO il that ample force Is
always at hand
In fact diplomatic observers say
Germany is confronted with the
most difficult and unprecedented
problem she has met during the
present war as a result of the dec
laration that Russia has abandon
ed hostiities without the signing OF
"a peace treaty. The refusal of the
Russians TO sign any treaties alien
atnZ the Russian western provinces,
the diplomats point out will leave
the central powers without any legal
claim 20 their possession. German
and Austrian tenure viii rest entire
Ir upon the assertion of force. with
out recognition of international law
and consequently must be subject 10
the decision OF whatever form of
tribunal finally determines the basis
OF general peace.
Danger From own People.
Should Germany and Austria re-
solve 20 refuse 20 recognize the boil
shevik decree as terminating the
war. without the confirmation of
that action 10y "a treaty in the usual
form. their armies would be i'm the
position of killing an uuresisting
regarded here as certain TO cause
ANA unarmed people. "a proceedins
trouble for the Teutonic govern
ments with their people at home.
An appeal from the Russian peas
ants 90 the working classes OF Ger
many and Austria. iJ is believed
here. would not fail OF a sympa-
thetic response embarrassing 20 the
military parties
The United states never has rec
oguized the bolsheviki regime. ano
Eussia's abandonment OF the war viii
not alter existing relations This
was made clear az the state depart
ment today. where 1t also was state
ed that the formal signing iof a
peace treaty by the new government
or the Ukraine could have no diplo-
matte effect so far as this govern
ment is concerned The first Official
animation that peace had been
signed was received today from
Minister Nopicka at JasSy. Rou-
mania.
such consular officers as the
United states happens 20 have in
T-krainian territory will be retain
at their posts IN accord with all
sages iu the case of the establish
meut OF new government. but this
cannot be taken 20 mean even a
aefacto recognition OniciaI conhr-
nation OF the fact that either
France or Great Britain had rec
o-njzed the new Ukruinian severn
msnt was still lacking today
The one clear thing in the W hole
situation from q military point of
view iS that the struggle has mar
bowed down 10 the western front OF