Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1918-02-22
What Of Russia's Future ?

While Russia has been betrayed by the
Bokhcviki, and has been absolutely sur
rndered to Germany, so fr as Lenine
md Trotaky, tho BolshcviE lesders, can
accomplish that purpose, it rs not to be
supposed that the end is in sight. 1t is
not conceivable that the people of the
iormezly vast Russian Empire, when they
rrAlizo tho position in which they have
been plaopd by this shameful surrender,
vill calmly scquiesce In sll that it is
likely to impose upon them
So fax - Lenine and Trotzky arc con-
cerned, they havo gone over completely
- Germany. They have formally agreed,
As representatives of tho latest attempted
form OF government in Russia, TO sur
rvndc1 to Germany large slices of Russian
territory, and to pay an indemnity equal
ling four billions Of dollars in American
money, IN gold. Where the money Is TO
onnc from is another matter. Naturally,
the assumption Is that it Will be secured
nom taxation Of the Russian people. But
will they consent to be so severity taxed
for the purpose of paying large in
dcmnity TO their conquerors ?
AZ this time, internal affairs in Russia
are in a state Of grave uncertainty. There
il lack Of representative and responsible
government. LawleSsneSs reigns through
ou. a larYe part of the former empire
Even IN the Ukraine, which recently
made settlement of its own affairs with
Germany and concluded its own treaty
Of peace, there Is uncertainty and unrest.
While the attempted disposition OF Pol
snd's raimcnt among greedy German
cormorants is an element that adds To
the uncertainty of the situation.
II Is already evident that Russia, or
what now remains 20 speak IN a govern
mental sense for Russia, will not be per-
rnitted to carry out the shameful bargain
md surrender by Lcnine and Trotzky
TO Germany. The future OF Poland IS
not 20 be determined by these two ad-
wnturers, thrown 70 the TOP, tempo
rarily, by the tempestuous waves Of revo-
luton in Russia Great Britain is to be
cckoned with in the future establish
mnt of Poland's status SO it may be
added, Is France, and Italy, and, above
all else when IL comes TO the final showing
Of cards, the great United States of
Arnerica
The only thing that has been made
plain by the surrender of the Russian
Bolshcviki TO Germany is the intention
Of Germany to take advantage Of tSe
situatioo for making large territorial
acquisitions To this extent the surrender
strengthens Gernany's position in the
var. But II has not yet served to relieve
her of the necessity of continuing war
operations in Russia. Even the disgracefuI
surrender Of Trotzky and Lenine has not
TUNED over Russia absolutely to German
control Germany must still fight for
her foothold N Russia, snd just now il
looks as though the German war plans
include the capture OF Petrograd. the
RIssian capital, and the complete sub
m,sSlon OF the country to German con
koi, subject 10 GerTnany's final deci-
I'm % va Ddftitloh oHu FeSulauou.
Fortunately, the Allies are vet to be
reckcned with The Great War is still
m progress. Il Is as plain as anything
esn be that Germany cannot win the
deckaon. The Allies, with the powerful
help OF our country, will win, and in all
probability win before the present year
comes 10 close. Germany viii then be
compelled 70 submit TO terms of peace,
instead of being In a position 10 dictate
them And IN the end much better
disposition VIII be made OF the affairs
Of Russia than that which those traitorous
upstarts, Lenine and Trotzky, are endeav-
oring 10 force upon the Russian people