Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1918-02-23
THIS WEEK OF WAR
Rer;e,p of Facts, and Some Deductions Therefro. by
a Member of the Times Republican Staff

t&&.
nations can dictate the future Of Rus
STA, time viii bring another conflict,
this time between Slnv and Teuton'
with the Slavic provinces Of Austria
bearing arTs In behalf Of their brothers
Of Russia whose language, customs
and ideals are the same Some time,
II necessary. they will fight FOR the
freedom which was promised by the
bolsheviki but could not be delivered
under their leadership.
,& 80
Germany now seems to be in posi-
ton to punish the bolsheviks for SOW
ing the seeds OF discomfort among the
socialistically inclined people of her
own empire. This Is shown by the
demands that the bolsheViks COM
plctely evacuate Finland, Lithonia, Es-
thonia and Ukraine. and the additional
demand that the Ukrainian republic
be recognized. For the moment the
complete control OF Ckrainia Is the i'm
portant object to be gained. and the
Germans are hoasting that the treaty
With Ckrainta finally breaks the An
gio American blockade and ends the
peril OF Turkey from the Russian
dream OF conquest of Constantinople,
Ukraine. YOU must know, Is the bread
basket of Russia.
II appears that Japan will, before
the war ends or before Russia is en-
tirely disn rendered, he compelled to
get into the fighting in order to pro-
Ieci herself against Prussian dominion
over tha, portion Of Siberia which
touches the Pacific. The German sue
ceSses in eastern Europe are real
menace 20 Japan. Should conditions
grow worse. from the allied stand
point. Japan may be expected to be-
come an active participant in the war
instead OF quiescent ally Of the en-
teute, her present role. Japan. with
n comparatively small army, could take
possession OF the eastern end OF the
Siberian railroad and occupy sufficient
territory TO prevent Germany from
com merciAl control Of the Pacific and
ultimate exploitation OF China. Given
time Japan could send 10 European
Russia an army OF sufficient size 10
drive the Huns from Slav territory
barring serious reverse 70 the allied
armies on the western front, and thus
hasten the end OF the war
The appearance Of American forces
a. three points on the French front
does not indicate that Persh:ng's men
are 20 be divided when the great Of
tensive comes. II II does come. The
units reported ae being In the trenches
in the Champagne and Arras sectors
are there for training alongside the
experienced campaigners OF the French
army. When this training is complet-
ed the Americans will be assigned 10
positions with the forces now holding
O. part OF the line southeast OF St
MIhisL Eventually the Americans will
De given full control OF the entire
French front near and In Lorraine and
extending from 81. Mihiel 10 the Swiss
border. Portions OF this line have been
the scene OF some OF the most severe
fighting OF the war Before the present
war and when Belgium was intact II
was conceded TO be the gateway to
Paris /. Prussian invasion were to
Be undertaken. and on two occasions
in the present conflict the PrussIans
have attempted 20 break thru this line.
Two strong tortresses are gone miles
back OF the American sector and will
afford a protection should the Sanr1ies
at any time be forced 20 retreat from
their present entrenched positions.
80
There are military experts and
writers. altho in the minority, who be-
lieve the much advertised big drive in
the west will not take place and that
the Germans have been biuffing in the
hope Of creating a fear a, home and
resultant discomfort which would force
France 10 sue for peace. One French
commander has expressed that view,
and declares that the next offensive
Of importance will be taken by the
allies. He points 10 the fact that the
Germans have been building miles and
miles OF trenches and fortfncations
several miles back Of the present lines.
Renewal OF the air raids over Lon
don have not been undertaken with
the hope OF accom- pIishing material
damage. but rather 10 awe the people.
The raids are a part OF the effort 20
trighten the English people. create dis
content and dissensiLn and propagate
peace sentiment by a demons tration
Of Prussian prowes@-in fact. propa-
ganda with bombs. but which over
looks the fact that kultur which de-
mands The murder Of innocen. women
and children Ia rcpeilant to civilized
peoples and inspires them TO hght the
longer and the harder.