Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1918-03-15
Passed Only by Bolshevildl

Passed Only by BOlsheVid7
London, March 15.-A Reuter-
dispatch filed yesterday at Petro-
grad says that the Bolsheviki ma
jority at the Moscow conference de
cided by vote of 453 to support
the peace treaty.
(The foregoing dispatch indi-
Gates that only the Bolsheviki dele
gates to the Moscow conference
were represented in the vote taken,
in what may have been a majority
caucus. The Mensheviki and
probably other factions are repre-
sented at the conference, but in
view of the strength of the Boil
sheviki it is improbable that their
decision could be reversed).
The action of the all-Russian
congress of soviets in accepting the
German peace clears the way for
announcement of allied intentions
as regards Japanese Intervention in
Siberia and gives Germany vast
opportunities for political and eco
nomic penetration of the former
Russian empire. The decision of
the congress Is the elimination of
the peace steps begun by the Boil
shevikl government last December.
Gives Vast Territory.
By the peace terms Russia must
give up Poland, Courland, Liyonla,
Esthonia and the Ukraine. In Asia
MINOR the Russians are compelled
to retire from Armenia and to cede
TO the Turks the Russian districts
of Batoum, Kars and Erivan.
Russia must renounce all claims
to the occupied territories in Eu-
rope, Germany and Austria-Hun-
gary to decide the fate of these re-
gions in agreement with their pop
ulations. The Russian army must
be demobilized and Russian war
ships are to be disarmed.
ReOpens Navigation.
More important to the central
powers is the reopening of naviga-
ton in the Black and Baltic seas
and the signing by Russia, under
compulsion, of a new commercial
treaty with guarantees of a most
favored nation treatment at least
until 1920.
No Official Information.
Washington, March 15.-Aside
from press dispatches, Washington
had no information today on the
decision of the alI-Russian con-
gress of soviets at Moscow ratify-
ing the German peace terms.
President Wilson's message to
the Russian people reached Mos
cow two days before the meeting
OF the all -2ussian congress Of So
viets, which voted to ratify the
Russian peace terms. according tn
a cablegram today from American
Consul Summers at Moscow.
Officials had no means of know
ing whether the action was taken
before or after receipt of President
Wilson's message to the people of
Russia promising American aid IL
obtaining for Russia full independ-
ence from German aggression. The
message was sent March IL and
the congress decided to ratify thv
peace with Germany March IA.
Can Not Recognize Russ!
The presidents message when
sent was regarded by officials here
as the only move that could be
made by the United States in the
interest OF the Russian people, al
though a short time ago, Ambas-
sador Francis in a statement to
the Russian public issued at Vo-
logda said that he had recommend
ed to Washington recognition by
the United States of any govern
ment the Russians might set up.
To recognize the government that
has Just concluded peace on
terms considered favorable TO Ger
many. 1T is held here. however.
might present many embarrassing
difficulties.
Early Jap Move Likely.
1t is believed that ratification OF
/ the peace terms will bring an early
move by Japan in Siberia. ANY
move by the Japanese, il is be-
! lleved. would be made chiefly as
! a measure of protection for Jap
anese and American supplies az
| Vladivostok. There is no real dau-
ger. officials say, OF German armies
moving that far east. but there is a
| probability that supplies at Vladi-
vostok might be sent into Russia
and then find their way into Ger
man hands.
Little Gain TO Germany.
Germany will derive little imme-
diate commercial advantage b.
ratification OF the treaty in the
view OF officials here. Russia s
( surplus grain stocks are said %
be small and her manufacturing in.
dustries are disorganized. About
| four hundred thousand acres o.
grain in the Ukraine which Ger
+ many and Austria expect TO divide
are far inland and will be hard &c
| move because OF poor rail facilities