The Sentinel=record., 1918-02-13
MEN FROM PRISON CAMPS
 OF DOUBTFUL VALUE
With Russia Short of Food as She Has Been for Her Own People, the German and Austrian Prisoners Have Pared Worse-Statemen ls- sued By Boleshevlki Delegates.

Washington, Feb 19-With the opening of the great campaign of 1918 on the western front apparently in sight, military men here examined the situation created by the signing ot Q peace pact between the central powers and the new Ukrainian repub- lie and the declaration of the folshe- wiki Russian government to stop fighting and demobilize the army. Their conclusions were not discour- aging. These events on their face would appear to free enormous Ger man forces for the impending battle in the west and also to furnish new sources of food supply for the Teu- tonic allies. but many factors detract from the benefit the central powers will get.
 One -9f tho fsots dweA upen is 4hat presumably 1,500.00O prisoners of war held in Russia would be released tD strengthen the German army. The fact is said to be, however, that the great majority of the soldiers cap tured by the Russians are Austrians, not available for western front oper- ations by present indications Most of the others are civilians or camp followers of one kind or another and so far as known only a small num- Der of German troops were captured on that front. Any men from the prison camps are regarded of doubt ful military value for some time to come, as the Russians. unable to feed their own soldiers, hardly have im- proved the health of captives. There is doubt here also as to the extent to which the agricultural products of the Ukrain can be brought to aid the Ger man people in the near future
 The best wheat regions of Russia are in remote sections of the Ukraine and are in such poor condition that the agricultural situation may have to be made over, difficult process with the confusion that prevails.
 Demobilization of the Russian army will not mean that the Austro Ger -Bulgar forces on the frontiers can be wholly withdrawn. There will be a constant threat of renewed hos tilities and the Teutons must see to it that ample force Is always at hand. In fact. diplomatic observers say Ger [. ma taH f, a1 l, .rs ficult and unprecedented problem she has met during the war as a result of the declaration that Russia has abandoned hostilities without signing peace treaty. Refusal of the Rus sians to sign any treaty alienating the Russian west provinces, the diplomats point out, will leave the central pow CTS without any legal claim to their possession.
 German and Austrian tenure will rest entirely on the assertion of force without recognition of international law and consequently must be subject to the decision of whatever form of tribunal determines a German peace. Should Germany and Austria refuse to recognize the Bolsheviki decree as terminating the war without confir- nation of that action by treaty their armies would be in the position of killing an unresisting and unarmed people. It is regarded here as cer- tain to cause trouble for the Teutonic governments with their people at home.
 An appeal from the Russian peas ants to the working classes of Ger many and Austria it is believed would not fail of a response embarrassing to the military authorities. The United States recently has not recognized the Bolsheviki regime It was stated at the state department that the formal signing of a peace treaty by the new government of the Ukraine could have | no diplomatic effect so far as this government is concerned The first official intiniation that peace had