Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1918-07-09
LOOKING EASTWARD

The war will be won by military action on the west
front That is the opinion of most experienced observers.
But because the developments elsewhere affect the status
of the armies in the west very materially. those devel-
opments are of vast Importance. and are to be watched
with care. From the military standpoint the world could
look with indifference on the occupation. or vast areas of
Russian territory by the armies of the kaiser. But when
both military power and civil government in Russia coll
lapsed, the effect of the collapse was felt Immediately
in the main theater Of war. and Russian developments
assumed a tremendous Importance in the affairs Of the
world. The collapse of Russia meant first the checking
of the Italian advance which otherwise, in all probability.
would have resulted in the driving of. a wedge, clear
through the center Of the Teutonic territory, or, as an
alternative, would have demanded the withdrawal Of
enough German divisions from France to- open the way
for an Immediately successful Allied offensive Of crush
ing force.
We have seen. first the collapse Of Russia, then tho
Italian reverse. then the, great German offensive Of this
year, to withstand which has required the utmost power
and resourcefulness Of the Allies.
Russia is passing through a period Of chaos. But.
while Russia is in a state of chaos. she is far from being
in a state of inertia. The elements which make up her
vast and heterogeneous population are boiling and seeth-
ing. and it is impossible to tell when or at what spot
there will be created some focus around which the forces
which are at work will crystalline into new forms. Even
in relation to the present war Russia is full of vast pos
sibilities.
The assassination Of the German ambassador at Mos
cow may have been the act of a pair Of fanatics. and
nothing more. Or. as some observers believe, it may be
the tragic expression Of a strong popular sentiment which
has become desperate under German rule and the rule
of men who are mere German hirelings. In the latter
case it may be expected to presage popular uprisings, and
may be followed. as appears to be generally expected. by
a German march on Moscow. If the Russian populace
has reached the point where military measures Of re-
preston are necessary, there may be the need for the
transfer to the Russian front OF. some Of the German le-
gons which were withdrawn from there to do duty on
the west front. There is no longer such a thing as a well
organized and equipped Russian army. But there are
enough men and enough munitions in western Russia to
make exceedingly precarious the position in that country
of hostile forces unless they are present in very large
numbers, because of the conditions Of transport and
supply.
1t is idle to predict, but it is easy to understand that
Germany has not yet succeeded in solving the Russian
problem to her complete advantage. \
coneresswoman jeanette Rankin announces herself
as a candidate in. the Montana senatorial race She
hasn't cut any ice in the House since she cup and cried"
over tho war vote.
One thing about John Dee, he pays his income tax
without q squirm, and that's what some Of US small fry
The Finnish war declaration is not exactly a scare
had; none Of the allies running to cover.
Ollie James is being 4outed as a presidential posi-
bilty. Ollie is big enough for several possibilities.
The decree to ,nnaks no more brass beds until sfter