Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1918-03-09
THIS WEEK OF WAR
Reve,p of Facts. and Some Deductions Therefron. BY
A4cnber of the Times-R Republican Staff.

! What MAY happen mex; in Russia and
unCo rtai.ty a. to the much advertised
German offensive in the west are Tor
ne nomcGt the most interesting pha-
SEES of the war Fighting vas continu-
ing il REss.;. no later than yesterdaS'
the Rolshevisi r, senting by force ot
dr.nS the ialCre of tne Germans TO
halt their advance after signing the
Pa ace treaty. The Prussan eNp.ana-
ion t-at cent troop movements were
for the purpose of consolidating H. es
Was not accepted as made in good
faith.
Conditions III Russia are going from
bad 10 worse That the bo.shev.ki are
Losing co. ndence in their lead rs Is
shown by the resignation of hry lenko
as command der in CHEF Of the armies.
This is the first break in the Le-ine-
Trotzky stray COVER nent and pre-
saEes the f-aI downfall Of those politi-
cal novitiates who il not the actual
agents Of the Berlin government, are
as tally dominated by the kaiser as II
in his pay.
Among the most bru a. of the ace
terms inn ossd upon Russia was the
cedi&g of Batoum Eriyan and Kara 10
TURK y The significance o. this IS
Better understood whel considered
with the fac. that these provinces are
Armenian ard enjoyed years Of pSace
ard prosperity under Russian domin-
alton Now 'ney are handed back 10
Turkey, whose policy OF eXlermina-
~ viii BE-
given wider scope thru EoIsheNihi be
travail
When the overthrow Of Lenine and
Trotzay comes some leader may be de-
vcloped who can save the once great
empire from complete dismemoermeat.
Russia, with assistance from other ma
tons. could in time raise ard equip an
immense army and drive the Huns
from the teFr.tory already occupied.
The people arc awaking 10 the extent
OF their betrayal and realization that
Pruxs.an domination Is worse than rule
by czars.
Tie peace forced upon Russia has
shown that the central powers are not
inclined TO forego any territorial ad
van tage in the near east. German!
hopper 20 open The way e RouUania
10 Odessa, the center OF the Russian
sraaary." Eounania mas sent out
pathetic appeal TO the world 70 rer11e-r-
rsar the little nation when peace finally
comes, and seeks TO excuse its &C
ceptance o. a dishonorable peace by
the plea. that. strategical!y isolated no
other coursS vas open.
The situation brought about by the
move Of Japan toward armed iaterTen-
ton in Siberia Is most delicate, The
right OF Japan or any other nation TO
Land troops in V1adivostock TO protect
foreign property IS lTnQuestioned. The
extension of this invasion to control
over the Siberian railway, necessitating
military occupation OF adjacent terri !
tory. is another matter. The danger in
such action lies in the effect II might
have OF the tolsheviki or other Rus
sian factions. From helpIessly passive
ally Of the entente Russia might be
aroused 10 the point OF completely
casting her lot with the AIlstro-Ger-
man militarists and becoming an arm
ed factor which might turn the tide OF
war in favor of Prussianism- The deli
cate task of Convincing Russians that
the japanese do not aim AT Siberian
occupation for territorial extension IS
surrounded with difficulties and great
danger. That the American depart
urent OF state foresecs this danger was
the reason for Withholding assent to-
invasion rather than fear that Japan
like Germany, might BE- tempted toI
hold territory once occupied.
Should it develop that Prussia aims
TO obliterate the commercial and polit-
zeal independence of Russia, then
America could and would consent to-
ervention on the theory that II
would be better to have Japan than
Germany in Russia The situation is
one which dem ands extreme caution in
order not 10 risk precipitating con-
dition which would De extremely