The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1918-03-02

/ " ME LuE pLG&GAAb SE4 AAAdsAA HISS 44A
Russia are not very clearly defined,
study OF the map and the dis
patches of the week would indicate
that the Kaiser's forces have added
to German territory during this last
offensive, a strip Of Russia about
equal in size to the state Of North
Dakota, and that they now hold Rus
sian territory to the extent Of three
or four states like this one.
Whether or not the Germans plan
to take Petrograd. still is uncertain.
They can do It, with comparatively
small expenditure Of men and muni-
tons. IL they wish to. The sudden
departure Of the Allied embassies
yesterday, would indicate that the
Germans are nearer to Petrograd
than is indicated by the dispatches.
According to the latest reports of the
| fighting, the Germans are at Reval
and Pslxov, the two bases Of q
: triangle which has it's apex at Petro-
grad. Each city is about 200 miles
from the capital. Dispatches were
received telling Of the capture Of
Pskov and the advance to Luga-
which is a city Of some importance
about half way between Pslsov and
Petrograd, or less than 100 miles
from the capital. This dispatch was
later denied. but the departure of the
embassies would indicate that 1t is
true, and that the Germans rapidly
are approaching the chief city OF
Russia. and probably now the fourth
largest city in the world.
The city of Vologda is about 800
miles due east from Petrograd, and
just a little east Of north Of Moscow.
1t is on the railroad running from
Moscow TO Archangel. This Arctic
port of Russia is still frozen up, but
before many weeks 1t should be open
to the ships Of the Allies, and this
would offer a means Of escape IL the
worst should come. Vologda also has
a connection with the trans Siberian
railroad, and the back door is still
open, thanks partly to japan.
Purpose Becoming Clear.
Germany's purposes in Russia are
not yet fully developed, but the COM
ing week will determine whether or
not she plans to take Petrograd. She
is evidently trying to build up a layer
of buffer states under German
domination. Bsthonia, for example,
has been declared an independent
state, and a provisional government
has been established at Reval on the
Baltic. self-government has been
promised Courland and Ldthuanias
but the kind Of self government Ii
will be is shown By the choice of
Saxon prince as king Of the latter
state.
Poland and the Ukraine, with these
three states. will form line of buffer
states across Russia, and they can
be used to pull German chestnuts
from the fire.
II Petrograd is needed to complete
the plans, or if the Germans decide
the Bolsheviki need further lesson
and a restoration Of the monarchy,
with the former Empress, a German,
on the throne, Petrograd will be
taken. Germany win take whatever
she wants and can hold without en-
barrassment to herself. Since the
disorganization and rehabilitation
of the Russian army by TrotzIxy,
Russia is poWerless. and the fleeing
soldiers. looting and destroying az
they 60, are a menace to Russia
rather than to the advancing Ger
mans, terrifying the Russian popula-
ton more than the Germans do. and
any organized resistance
by the WorISmen who honestly hope
to save the revolution.
Rumania's Fate,
Little Rumania, evidently is destin-
ed to become another Of the buffer
states. for the German demand that
king Ferdinand resign shows the