The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1918-03-11
RUSSIA PREPARES TO
FIGHT GERMANY
CONTINUED from page -

| Continued from page ~
! mier Of Russia, the Russians would
| re-enter the war under vigorous
direction.
| But this to be possible, the new
l spirit of democracy now rampant IN
! Russia, would 4.rst have to become
| far more conservative than 1t ls. IN
PREVENTION by outside forces to put
Lvoff back into power would not curp
Russias runaway gallop for democ'
racy, but would probably result In
far more confused revolutionary
condition.
Won Hindenburgs creation of Fin
land into vassal Hohenzollern state,
is causing a strong reaction In Scan
dinavia and Holland that must result
in Germany's disadvantage during the
rest of the war. Scandinavia and
Holland have lately shown much rest
Iessness under the necessary food re-
strictions of America and the allies
Germanys laundering arrogance IN
Finland, however, must cause the
other Baltic countries to realize that
the German menace has become per-
manent for them unless the allies
win the war.
Even Sweden, after all that her
diplomats have done for Germany, Is
now ignored by the kaiser, in the
Finnish settlement Won Hindenburg
has done a good days work for the
allies in Finland.
Trotsky Has Resigned.
WASHINGTON, March I.--Con-
firmation of Leon Trots2ys resigna-
ton from the post Of foreign minister
of the Bolshevili government, reach
ed the state department today IN
Stockholm cablegram.
Provisional Peace.
LONDON, March IA provisional
German-Rumanian peace has been
completed, Secretary Of State for
Foreign Affairs Balfour announced in
the house of commons today
BaIfour said he had no information
regarding any Japanese troops land
ing in Siberia.
New Turn to Problem.
WASHINGTON, March 11.-Ofic ial
reports of German cooperation with
certain Bolshevik elements in Siberia,
gave new turn today to the prob
lem of Japanese Intervention in
Asiatic Russia.
On the heels of detailed informa-
ton showing Niko1ai Lenine, the
Bolshevik prime minister, working
with the Germans against the best
interests Of the allies, the war de-
partment made the following state
ment today:
"In Siberia 1t is reported that ex-
German war prisoners are armed and
drilling in the vicinity of Irkutsch
and that throughout Siberia, German
and Austrian prisoners of war are
being assisted by certain Russian ele-
ments."
This has been the claim of Japan
in explaining her alarm at the grow
ing menace in Siberia. While the
increasing activity of the Bolshevik
leaders to break proposed opposition
to the German advance and center
their agitation against the mill
tarism of the allies Gas Lenine's
purpose has been expressed) has
been known to this government some
days, the war department statement
| is the first official announcement of
| the existing danger.
| Whether it presages any change in
the attitude Of the United States
| toward the proposed Japanese inter
vention in Siberia, could not be as
certained early today. 1t is known,
| however, that there has been in
creasing demand from the country
that this government interpose no
objection to the Japanese action
| The action of the all-Russian soviet
tomorrow on the German plumber
pact, signed by Lenine and Trotsky
to gain peace, may guide the future
, course Of Japan, the allies and the
United States. If the sov4et ratifes
the pact it will mean that Lenine's
hold is not weakening. II the pact
is rejected, however, it probably will
result in the allies once more-the
| United States MISUNDERSTANDING
their influence back of the Russian
workers in an effort to throw of
| the German menace.
In this connection, it is notable
that Ambassador Francis has not fec
from Russia, but on the contrary
paused less than days journey
from Moscow, new Russian capital
from which point he may extend
whatever assistance is possible.
He has plenary powers to follow
whatever course he deems proper In
the crisis 1t is possible he may try
to communicate with the soviet in az
effort to influence against improving
the German pact.
In connection with the report &c
resignation Of Leon Trotsky as Boil
shevik minister of foreign affairs
great interest prevails here, bott
among allied and American officials
as to the cause Of Trotsky's action
1t has been the belief of many Off
Gals that Trotsky was the man who
was trying to maintain the ideals
and honor of the revolution while
Lenine had played a treacheroui
fhand in his government.
Preparing for War.
EBy Ralph II. Turner. United Press
Staff Correspondent.