Montpelier examiner. [volume] (Montpelier, Idaho) 1895-1937, 1918-02-15
RUSSIA COUNTED
OUT OF THE WAR
UKRAINE SIGNS PEACE PACT AND
eoLSHEVIKt EXPECT TO DE-
MOBILIZE ARMY.
Act Of Treaehery Of Russ Not Expected
to Aid Huns but Slightly, Be
cause Men Liberated Are
in Bad. Shape.


the great campaign Of 1918 on the
western front apparently within sight,
military men here have examined with
profound interest the situation created
by the signing Of a peace pact be-
tween the central powers and the new
Ukraine republic and the decision of
the Bolsheviki Russian government to
demobilize the army.
Their conclusions were not discour-
aging. These events on their face
would appear to set free enormous Ger
man forces for the impending battle
In the west and also to furnish new
sources Of food supply for the leu
tonic allies, but many factors detract
from the advantages the central pow
ers may derive.
One of the threats against the west
ern fronts, dwelt upon in public dis
cussion. is the fact that presumably
100000 prisoners Of war held in Rus
STA would be released to strengthen
the German army. The fact is said to
be, however, that the great majority
Of the soldiers captured by the Rus
SLAMS are Austrians, and not available
for western front operations by pres
ent indications. Most Of the others
are civilians or camp followers OF one
kind or another and so far as known
only a small number of German troops
were captured on that front. Any men
from the prison camps are regarded as
of doubtful military value for some
time to come, as the Russians, unable
to feed their own soldiers, hardly have
improved the health of captives.
Food supply Doubtful.
There is doubt here, also, as to the
extent to which the agricultural re-
sources of the Ukraine or of Russia
can be brought to the aid Of the Ger
man people in the near future. Failure
of the Russian transportation system
worked in Germany's interests in un-
dermining the fighting power of the
Russian armies. The same agency now
necessarily works against the central
powers in its desire to get out food
supplies. Moreover, the best wheat re-
gions which may be opened to the Ger
mans are in a remote section of the
Ukraine and in such poor condition
that the agricultural system may have
to be made over, difficult process
with the confusion that prevails
throughout the region.
Demobilization of the Russian army
will not mean that the Austro-G German
Bulgar forces on the frontiers can be
wholly withdrawn. There viii be n
constant threat of renewed hostilities
and the Germans must see to it that
ample force is always at hand.
In fact. diplomatic observers say
Germany is confronted with the mos,
difficult and unprecedented problem
she has met during the present wa,
as a result of the declaration that
Russia has abandoned hostilities with
out the signing of peace treaty. The
refusal of the Russians to sign any
treaties alternating the Russian west
ern provinces, the diplomats point out.
will leave the central powers withou.
| any legal claim to their possession.
German and Austrian tenure will res
entirely upon the assertion of force
without recognition of international
law and consequently must be subject
to the decision of whatever form of tri.
bunal finally determines the basis OF
general peace.