Bisbee daily review., 1918-02-13
LATEST TURN
Of EVENTS IS
DISCUSSED IN
WASHINGTON
Conclusions of Military M e n
Not Entirely Discouraging
as a Result of Eastern Front
Fiasco.

opening OF the great campaign Of 1918
on the western front. apparently with
in sight, military men here examined
today with profound interest the situa-
ton created by the signing OF a peace
pact between the central powers and
the new Ukraine republic and the de-
cisiOn OF the BOlsheviki Russian gov
eminent to demObilize the army Their
conclusions were not discouraging.
These events on their face would ap-
pear 10 set free enormous German
forces for the impending battle in the
west and also to furnish new sources
OF food supply for the Teutonic allies.
but many factors detract from the ad-
vantages the central powers may de
rive.
One of the threats against the west
ern front dwelt upon in public discus
sion is the fact that presumably l.
500 900 prisoners Of war held In Rus
sia would be released to strengthen
the Germany army. The fact is said
TO be. however, that the great majority
Of the soldiers captured by the Rus
SLAMS are Austrians. not available for
western front operations By present in
civilians or camp followers OF one kind
or another and so far as known, only
q small number Of German troops
were captured on that front ANY
men from the prison camps are re
garded as Of doubtful military value
for some time to come. as the Rus
SLAMS, unable 10 feed their own -
diers. hardly have improved the health
Of captives.
Doubtful Aid.
There is doubt here. also. as to the
extent to which the agricultural re-
sources OF the Ukraine or Of Russia
can be brought to the aid OF the Ger
man people in the near future Fail
ure OF the Russian transportation sys-
TEN worked in Germany's interest in
undermining the fighting power of
the Russian armies The same agency
now necessarily. works against the
central powers in its desire TO get out
food supplies Moreover. the best
wheat regions which may be opened
TO the Germans are in a remote sec
ton Of the Ukraine and in such poor
condition that the agricultural sys-
TEN may have 10 be made over. a diff
ficult process with the confusion that
prevails throughout the region
Decentralization of the Russian army
viii not mean that the Ahstro-German-
Bulgar forces on the frontiers can be
wholly withdrawn There viii be a
constant threat of renewed hOstilities
and the Germans must see to il that
ample force is always al hand
A Unique Problem.
In fact diplomatic observers say
Germany is confronted with the most
difficult and unprecedented problem
she has met during the present war
as a result of the declaration that Rus
sia has abandoned hOstilities without
the signing Of q peace treaty The re-
fusal of the Russians TO sign any
treaties alternating the Russian west
tern provinces, the diplomats point
out. viii leave the central powers
without any legal claim to their pos
session German and Austrian tenure
viii rest entirely upon the assertion
Of force. without recognition of inter
national Law and consequently must
be submitted to the decision Of what
ever form Of tribunal finally deter
mines the basis OF general peace
Should Germany and Austria resolve
to refuse to recognize the BOlshevik
decree as terminating the war with
out the confirmation OF that action by
4 treaty in the usual form their
armies would be in the position Of
killing an unresisting and unarmed
people a proceeding regarded here as
certain 10 cause trouble for the Teu-
tonic governments with their people
at home. An appeal from the Russian
peasants 10 the working classes Of
Germany and Austria. il is believed
here. would not fail OF a sympathetic
response embarrassing to the military
parties
The United States never has recog-
nized the BOlsheTih regime and Rus
sia's abandonment Of the war viii not
alter existing relations This was
made clear at the state department to-
day. where il also was stated that the
formal signing Of a peace treaty by
the new government Of the Ukraihe
could have no diplomatic efefct so far
as this government is concerned The
first Official intimstion that peace had
been signed was received today from
Minister VOpicka at Jassy. Rumsnia-
-~sFs