The daily banner. (Cambridge, Md.) 1897-2008, 1918-02-13

BGLSHEVini CEASE As FACTOR

Eastern Front PreiousIy Stripped Of
Effectives For Use on the Western
Front.
Washington. Feb. l3-How RusSia's
complete withdrawal from the W.T. will
affect the Allies and the United States
in a military way cannot be accu-
rately estimated at this time. officers
believe. This view is held desp: e the
ract on paper the Russian e. lapse
would seem to give the Germans a
great numerical superiority of troops
on the western front.
Officially there is nothing to be said
on the subject because the gov rnment
has no official information. Probably
no definite pronCuncement of how
it affects the situation could be made
any way without agreement among all
the co-belligeTents and that is con-
sidered unlikely.
Military men confident the allied
line on the western front wiz hold
against any German force that can be
thrown against it. profess not to re-
gard the Russian separate peace as
the menace it would appear on paper.
The fact 100000 German prisoners
may be freed to return to Germany is
regarded with no alarm. Military men
say they could not quickly be ,eo'-
Ganized into efficient units. The gen.
eral opinion is Germany would rather
leep the prisoners in Russia than risk
having them carry Bolsheviki doc
tr:ne to Germany.
The 147 AuStrO-German and Bulgar
divisions on the Russian front are re
garded as already having been strip
ped OF their effectives. which has been
transferred 70 the western front.
Military experts say Germany in
any case would be obliged to keep
some of these divisions in the vast
conquered territory for garrison pur-
poses.
The one outstanding fact is, mill
tary exne-ts are sure the reinforce
ments the Germans can draw from the
Russian front cannot overwhelm the
western line.
Russia at this time owes the United
States s1S7.779.0 600 advanced for sup
0lies already gone TO Russia. For that
sum the Government holds Russiar
bonds. Wheth - this vast sun will be
a total loss to the United States de-
ponds on whether tie ultimate govern
ment in Russia decides to repudiate
the debt.
A credit of 1925 100000 was estab-
lished at the trees"~y for Russia, but
only S1S7,779 900 was used when pay
ments were stopped.
Confirm Russian Withdrawal.
London, Feb. 13.-ConfcmatiCn Of
the German report Russia has with
drawn from the war is contained in
an off al Russian statement.
The statement says Russia declares
the war with Germany, Austria-Hun-
gary. Turkey and Bulgaria to have
ended Russian troops simultaneously
receiving an order for comp'ete de-
mobilization on all fronts. For the de-
tense of the frontier some detach-
ments of younger soldiers vii be eft.
1t is not vet known whether the Uk-
raine rada actually exercises the
power implied in the pact of the Tx
rainian delegates at Brest-Litovsk, or
whether it is true, as asserted by the
Bolshekiki. that it has ceased to exist.
This question as viewed here has
lost much of its consequence in the
light of the German statement the Boil
shevilyi themselves finally have
thrown mp the sponge to the central
powers. From the purely military as
pect this is not regarded as altering
the situation materially, as the Rus
san army long had ceased to court in
western calculations. AS a political
and economic event its significance is
considered of great Importance.
The general tendency of the moment
Is to regard it as having created a
situation exceedingly advantageous to
Germany. While the recognized in
ternal disorgani2a ion Of Russia must
substantially hinder Germany's full
realization of TIE benefits, no doubt is
felt she will later know how to exploit
Ruesia's recOu~ces OF food. minerals
and other commodities at the earliest
practicable moment The political ad-
vantages she can reap from the new
situation are regarded as quite equally
important.
The events of the last few days at
Brest-I itovsk are regarded as mark
ing the final disappearance Of Russia
as a great homogeneous European
power and its disintegration into
number of weak states in which Ger
many will be able to intrigue and
which she will be abe to exploit at
her fu'i pleasure.
They will. it is contenied, be her
vassals politically and economi ally,
such IS no united Russia could be, and
from their geographical position hey
will open TO her just those avenues to
the East which she desires.