The Washington herald., 1918-07-31
S0VIETS PLAN
new ARMY ON
STRONG LINES
German Influence Would
Turn New Power
Against Allies.
SUCCESS IS DOUBTFUL
Move Might Lead to Col
lapse Of Bolsheviki
Regime.
SUCCESS IS DOUBTFUL

Late advices to the State Depart
hnent. credited to Swedish press re-
ports, give the news that the Boil
sheviki government of Russia has de-
cided to abolish the Red Guard and
reorganize the military forces Of the
nation along the old lines.
In some official quarters and among
certain foreign diplomats this news
Is read as the tearing-on mask of
the whole BoIsheviki pretense Of So
sure of the Germanic influence which
is guiding the trend of events in
Russia from behind the scenes.
Others do not take such a radical
view. They believe that the Bolshe-
Wiki government has been forced to
this step as an act OF self-preserya-
tion against the anarchy and revolu-
ton nat Is sweeping the entire ter
'ritory, once a great empire, and
Threatening a reign of terror in which
no law and no authority will be para
mount over mob rule.
The Red Guard, the only military
organization recognized in the pub
lished creed of the Bolsheviki gov
eminent. was little more than unor-
Eanized heads Of local police respon-
rible in a ha1f-hearted way to the
local soviet The Soviet council,
which is supposed to represent the
government Of the Russian people,
has had no military or police organ
r:zation under its control with which
TO enforce its DEGREES.
Could Only Mean Fight.
An organization and mobiIizat tion
of Russian army along the old
lines could mean only one thing, in
the opinion of men in Washington
who are in closest touch with the
Russian situation. That Is that Rus
sia is preparing to fight. The Boil
shivik government is too thoroughly
under German influence as at pres
ent organized 10 turn against Ger
many and again align herself with
the allies. The organization of an
army by the present government,
therefore. would mean the placing
of Russian army under German
control to war against the friendly
intervention which the United States
and the allies are preparing to launch
in the hope of rehabilitating the Rus
sian government and establishing a
great democracy on behalf of her
people.
II this is the purpose Of the B3l-
shevik government, under the shrewd
guidance of German military 4ri
diplomatic influence, II is probably
doomed to failure. according to the
view in Washington. 1t is not be-
lieved that the Soviet council has
enough influence with the people 10
persuade them back into organized
military service and it has not the
strength to draft or drive meh Into
military service against their wIIl.
Allies Would BE Ready.
II the Soviet council should attcI.I, t
10 put into execution an autocratic
military policy. and should not be able
to carry 1t into effect at once with
Overwhelming force, the present gov
ernment probably would fall imme-
diately
The United States and the allied
governments would not fail to take
instant advantage of this situation
and with the aid of the growing
Czecho-Slovak movement might put in
motion counter effort that would
sweep the nation overnight, repudiate
the Brest-Litovsk pact bought at the
sacrifice of the Russian people to
German avarice and greed, sweep the
German hordes beyond the border,
and re-establish Russia as a republic
warring with all her strength to make
the world safe for democracy.
Moscow Situation Bad,
The internal situation in Russia
is growing worse daily, according
to official reports. Most Of the local
soyiets. with their contingents Of
Red Guards. are in revolt against
the Moscow government. The latest
reports are that there is a very had
situation in the city itself, with fac
tional fighting in progress almost
hourly. The jails are filled to burst
ing and the government has been
obliged to commander private
buildings as prisons for political
prisoners
It Is evident to officials here now
why Ambassador Francis did NOT
desire to go to Moscow, notwith-
standing the earnest solicitations
of the Soviet Council that he shou,d
establish himself in that city, He
, Is reported to have gone north from
Yolgoda, but 1t Is not stated how;
far he is going. II he desired. he
and the others OF the Diplomatic
Corps could go as far as Cola 5y
the Volgoda-Cola Railroad, There
is no intimation here, however. that
Mr.. Francis has any but a tcmpor-
ary reason for going north from
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