Evening journal., 1918-06-13
F|RLAiD-UKRAIN
ARE Seeking Peace
Meanwhile German Troops
at Helsinfors Threaten
March on Petrograd
KAISER FAVORS
THE OLD REGIME
By JOSEPH sHAPLEN

United Press Stan Correspondent
STOCKHOLM, June t3.--The Russian
Bolsheyiki have no foreign policy. They
are simply ostrichIike in their naive
faith that Germany soon Will be under
mined by a revolution.
Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Tchit-
oherin Is constantly protesting TO Ger
many against violations OF the Brest-
Litoysk treaty, while swallowing the
sedative diplomatic pills doled out by
German Ambassador Mlrbach.
Premier Lenine calls this policy
forced retreatlng. while preserving the
Soviet power" This Is a Joke
With peace negotiations between Rus
sla and Ukraine under way at Kie1 and
preliminary negotiations begun with
Finland the FIRST Impressions are that
danger Of further seizures Of Russian
territory Is over and that a real period
OF respite Is beginning. Yet the news
paper Dlen was suppressed because II
published a statement from a German
military attaohe, regarding possible Ger
man occupation Of Petrogrsd.
The Bolsheviki declare there is no
immediate danger. Yet the Russians
were forced to blow up a number OF
fortresses which were Of great impor-
tanoe TO the defenses Of Petrograd.
l am authoritatlvely informed that
the new Finnish government is form
ing an army Of 10000 German trained
soldiers. or these, 5000 already arc
under arms.
When l stopped in Helsinssfors har-
Dor, enroute here from PetrOgrad,
learned authoritatlvely that 10000 Ger
man troops now are in Finland. Per-
sonally. / counted nine big German
transports.
The question is, why these prepara-
tlons? Most assuredly, they are for
the occupation Of the Murman penin-
sula or Petrograd-probsbly both.
Curious events also are transpirlng
on the southern borders OF Russia
Both the Soviet and the Ukrsnlsn gov
ernments declared their. readiness to
conclude peace long ago. Now, when
negotiations are proceeding, German
troops have occupied Valuiki, and the
Turkish government, contrary TO the
Brest-Litovsk treaty, claims Novo-
ROsisk. There Is but slight doubt that
Germany seeks TO occupy the whole Of
Russia and restore the old regime.
A second series Of facts likewise Is
Important. These refer TO the conduct
or the land owners and BOurgeOisie
middle class) who viii be pleased II
the Germans smash the revolution and
save their property.
General Mannerhelm commander OF
the Finnish army and SkorOpadsky
c"Hetman" OF the Ukrainiansl, who
represent aristOcratic Russian official
dom possess many allies among the
Russian army leaders 70 would be
quite easy for these two generals to
prepare a military advance against
Moscow and Petrograd with the aid OF
German troops.
The Bourgeoisie are quite certain OF
the early fall Of The Bolshevlki. yet So
Wet diplomats are trying 20 maintain
peace and strenuously deny all German
charges regarding violations OF the
Brest-Ltovsk treaty.
The Soviets are unwilling TO go fur
ther on the road Of allied OrientatiOl
than acceptance Of economic aid from
the United States. All OF which cases !
immeasurably the work OF Germany |
and the Russian Bourgeoisie.
Only a united. democratic front and /
coalition government which will di- |
rect the fullest cooperation with the /
allies, can save the republic from a /
counter-revolution Yet the Bolsheviki /
refuse.
Their days, however. are nearing an /
end. Either democracy or Imperialism /
soon will triumph.