The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1918-06-29
The War for the Week

Early in the week the italian offensive was
rnonopolizing the interest in the war news, but
as the week draws to close. attention is again
centered on Russia.
Russia can no longer be considered as one
country. It is an aggregation OF states; chaos
Of warning factions
The sphere Of influence Of the Bolshevik gov
eminent which was reported to have been over
thrown yesterday, has been contracted until it
is confined to but fraction Of European Russia
Finland, Poland the Baltic states, the Ukraine
and Rumania have taken generous SLICE from
European Russia and the situation in Siberia is
so confused that it cannot be viewed as part OF
the BolsheVik dominion
The Bolshevik government headquarters were
at Moscow, and the Bolshevfk leaders also con-
trolled Petrograd and q few Of the other large
cities in European Russia. The country, when
governed at all. has been under the rule Of
local soviets or assemblies dominated by the
Bolsheviki. The situation might be compared
TO having New York and Chicago dominated by
local Socialist governments. holding office by
terrorism, and with no strong federal govern
ment to GUST them. Their influence on the west
ern states would be trifling, except where they
were able to establish local governments.
There are so many factions warning in Russia,
that 1t is difficult to get any clear view of the
situation, especially since the dispatches are so
meagre and because of the disorganized condi-
lions. so likely to be Untruthful -...
The Factions In Russia. s#.s.
In addition to the BoIsheviki there are Keren-
sky followers now inundated into inaction. They
comprise the more moderate of the original
revolutionists the less radical Socialists, and
manv of the real patriots Of Russia. Then there
are the Cossacks who were the specially favored
military classes of the old Royalist regime, and
ty, who plotting and scheming to restore the
Romanoffs to the throne. These latter include
many Of the officers Of the old army, and all
the nobility ...
The situation is further complicated by the
presence Of the Austrian and German prisoners.
These must also be divided into several classes.
Many Of the Germans are openly schemng and
fighting to extend the N0here' of German influ-
ence. Others are merely rowing bands Of high
waynen, not at all DESTROYS Of returning to the
war zone, and content to remain in Russia and
prey. off the peasants The Czecho- Slovaks are
another distinct faction. They are deserters from
the Austrian army who went to Russia to fight
against the Central powers They cannot return
to Austria for fear OF being shot as traitors and
ern front or>to fight with any Allied armies that
vailed upon the Bolshevik government to try to
prevent these men reaching Vladivostok and
the Czecho-Slovaks have seized large sections
Of the trans Siberian railroad, shutting off food
supplies to European Russia ~. q. .-=s
General Semenoff, operating near the Chinese
border in Siberia, has force of Cossacks and
Royalists who are fighting the Bolshevik there.
The Moscow Situation
The force which is said to have taken Moscow
was reported to be under Generals Kornioff and
both of whom have previously been
by German troops" These may have been
the Szecho- SIovak forces. which would put an
Trotzky-Lenine government and make it pro-
Ally move There are no German forces known
to be within $50 miles Of Moscow
Meanwhile Kerensky is in London on his way
to America, and President Wilson has under
constipation the personnel of commission to
go to Russia with a view to extending allied aid
The most that the average reader can hope to
do is to try to comprehend in part what is
are qualified to discuss intelligently the problem
presented or offer any solution to it.
Armed intervention by the Allies, if a hostile
hnh ind oil Rro,,,
vladivostok to Moscow would be suicidal If
there is any hope of uniting the country. and
ate the Brest- Litovsl treaty and oppose the
plans Of Germany, such intervention should and
will come That is doubtless the purpose of
President Wilson's commission. -H
The Austrian Revolt
Meanwhile Austria seems to be slipping rap
Oily into a similar state Of chaos. The govern
ment is in the throes of a reorganization; the
army is defeated; hunger is almost universal;
tevolts are reported in at least two cities with
The prospect that the whole country will soon
De under military rule.
The Austrian and Russian situations are two
vital factors in the war at present. Develop
many's house of cards tumbling to the ground,
and leave Germany fighting on the defensive and
alone against the Allied armies It is the one
nope Of an early end to the war.
Fighting Dies Down.
Meanwhile the Italians appear to be content
to win back the Piave line in its entirety, and
during the last few days the fighting has died
down all along the front.
The deadlock in France and Flanders also con-
-inues and only minor infantry raids are report
ID. The battle may flare UP agai& at any mo-
nent, for Germany must continue to attack. Won
Kuehlnnann's speech, In which he intimated that
Germany could not hope to win victory by
arms, brought such storm of condemnation
rom the pan-Germanists that he has resigned
which indicates that the militarists are still in
control and are determined to continue the great
gamble for victory.
Meanwhile there virtually million Amer
cans in France, and the time is approaching
'apidly when the Allies can resume the often
'ive. Germany has, at the best. but few weeks
more in which she can hope to retain the initia-
i've. By September Of October at the latest she
should be on the defensive and when she takes
he defensive 1t will be permanently
U-Boat figures for May were given out during
he week They showed a loss OF 900 tons
during the month, compared with 333,400
which was the low mark reached last Novem-
Der, and 89SS77 the high mark of a year ago last
April. The rate at which American troops are
leng sent across is the best evidence of the fail
Ire of the U-boaf campaign. It is still a men
ace and will continue to be one. but it cannot
vim the for Germany.
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