The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-07-04

that the Cxech-Slovaks had taken over administration of the Pacific port of VIadivostok after overcoming armed opposition by the boIsheviI<i in a bat tie in which there was considerable loss of life. The significance of tais event as seen by officials lies in the fact that there is now real nu- cleus in Siberia for the gathering of the various elements which have re- volted against bolshevik control and surrender to German influences.
 While it is by no means certain that the entente allies or America is dis posed at present, at least, to take ad- vantage of the situation thus created to begin military campaign in that quar- ter, it is regarded as a valuable asset Tn the solution of the problem that through this unprompted action the Czecho-Slavoks have definitely halted the spread of German control to the eastern coast of Siberia and further as sured the safety from German seizure of the vast store of military supplies al Viadivostok and vicinity.
 MUST FIND LEADER
 Whether the Czecho- Slavoks can take full advantage of the possession of the thSllC pOIl, COflI1anOlHg a great FaIl- road penetrating the interior of Siberia and connecting with the Russian system, would seem to depend on their ability to ind common aspirations and gather their strength under one leader, It also IS regarded as essential that they effect Junction in purpose, if not physically, With other clements now in revolt in Si- beria and European Russia. Once this has been accomplished it is believed the to duced to consider the question as to whether there has not been established the stable and representative government in Siberia. and Russia as well, which they may recognize and aid.
 ARE WELL ARMED
 Various bands of Czecho-Slavoks. well armed and thoroughly organized, occupy points of strategic value along the Si- berian railroad from the Ural mountains to the Pacific in forces numbering from 10000 to 15,000. with the largest body at Vladivostok. From Irkutsk to Vladi- vostok, however. is a long stretch held mainly by German and Austrian prison CTS, who have been partially armed and are trying to secure more arms from Vladivostok.
 From Irkutsk to syszran, distance of nearly 25oo miles, through the great grain and dairy region of western S- beria. the Czecho -Slayoks are in control Great stores of grain, butter, eggs and meat are held at various points along this part of the railroad and the Ger mans are using every endeavor to ob- tain them for shipment to Germany. The Czecho-Slavoks are trying to effect a union of the various bands through this stretch of country to present front against the Germans while at the same time insuring the retention of the control of the railroad. To that end efforts are being made to bring the large body from Vladivostoff with the arms and munitions stored there.
 PROTECT ARCTIC ROUTE
 While the weight of expert opinion favors the Siberian as against the Arctic route of entry into Russia in case it should be found necessary to send troops into the country to assist in its rehabi3i. tation and drive out the Germans, there are sound reasons for the exercise ot every effort to protect and preserve the opening which still remains to the en- tente through the naval possession of the port of Kola at the northern ex, tremity Of the railroad from Moscow and Vologda.
 Consequently news received today from Francis that the boshevi1 government at Moscow had brought to that capital under arrest the civil mem bers of the local duma at Archangel, an- other Arctic port not far distant from K ola. was a matter of grave concern As this news was delayed 10 days in reaching Washington it was realized that many things may have happened in the interim to change the situation, but otherwise there was good reason to re- gard this action by the Moscow govern ment as distinctly unfriendly toward the entente powers and as taken because the local authorities at Archangel had not the landing there of an inter- national naval force to protect the mii- tary supplies.
 MAY EXPLAIN
 It appeares, however, that the incident nation and may be of purely political importance.
 The Archangel duma is a survival ot the old kerensky regime and it may be that the bolshevist administration az Moscow for that reason desires to re- place it by some of their own partsans
 The situation is being observed closely, however, by the entente powers, as well as the Washington authorities, and if it should develop that they. and not the local dumas, are the objects of attack under prompting of the Germans. who are dicta,ing to the bolsheviki and, it is believed. striving to anticipate and prevent the extenson of entente ideas and influence in Russia, then some definite action is likely to be agreen upon through the consultations now in progress to meet this condition.