Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1918-07-25
BOLSHEYIK BLOW
Continued from page One)

nian fortresses-Royno, Dubno, and
Luesk.
Boost For Bolshvism.
The Reorganization of the Russian
army now appeared complete. The fail.
| ure of the offensive proved to be a
great boost for Bolshevism, and Korni.
lofts subsequent advance upon Petro-
grad served to pour oil on the Bolshevist
flames, Shortly before the latter cir
cumstanee, Riga had been taken, and
Korniloff had been accused of deliber-
ately surrendering it in order to arouse
anti-Bolshevik propaganda. These ev-
ents, plus the German attacks under
Linsingen prior to Korniloff's drive for
Halciz and which the Russians with
considerable losses parried, finished
their military operations for 1917.
As for naval operations the Germans,
utilizing Riga as base, landed troops
and occupied 0esel, Moon and Dabgo
Islands AT first they succeeded in bot
Ting up the Russian fleet, but the latter
by really clever manoeuvre managed
to escape the perilous Moon Sound.
The end of 1917 saw the triumph of
the Bolsheviki and the separate poace
with the Central powers, with all its dis
astrous consequences. Russia lost Po-
land, Lithunia, the Baltic Provinces, Uk-
raine, Bessarabia, Finland and part Of
the Caucasus. And the losses in the last
named are likely to increase in view Of
the general disorganization in that quar-
ter, the dissolution Of the regional gov.
ernmcnt opening the road to Turkish
aggressions.
Big Loss of Territory.
The appalling character of these losses
is evident when it is considered that
they comprise 100000 square versts Cal
verst is .66 Of mile) of territory with
a population of 46,000,000. This de.
crease in the area of the Russian kepID-
lie is slightly less than 40 per cent. but
the lost provinces are the most fertile
and most populous of theentire country.
and most populous of the tntire country
and potato production, conservatively
estimated of 2, S96,000,000 puds. CAL
pud OF pood is 36.07 pounds.) In other
words the arabic area is reduced ~ per
cent and crops lessened 81 per cent
In railways the losses represent 1900
versts, out of total Of $4,000 or about
one fourth. This loss is even moro SER
ious than the mileage figures Indicate,
inasmuch as the surrendered territory
many of Russia S most popular
railway functions.
Prior to the war Russia S total annual
production in manufacturers was 2,o00,-
600 rublcs { ruble equals 5l.5 cents)
the number Of workmen employed was
100000 and the number of machines
in use was 1,457,000. The reductions
now represent 925,o00,000 rubles, 6l2,-
900 workman, and $4,000 machines, or
80 per cent, 80 per cent and
SO per cent.
In coal and iron output, the basis Of
all industry in Russia, the reduction is
even more startling, Before the war
Russia produced annually 1000, 0,000,000
puds of coal and 260,000,000 puds of
ron. Present Russian can produce only
100,000.0OO puds Of coal and 70,O00,000
luds of iron.
Wipes Out Development,
These figures mean that Russia s in
lustriai development of the past twenty
'ears is practically wiped out as a Nc
nlt of the 4th year Of the war--tho
abotage of the Russian peace program
md The policy of the Bolsheviki.
The big question now is whether Rus
ia can withstand such blood-letting. In
pposing the forces of imperialism she ,
aces her scvercst battle for political
nd economic independence. Only the
peediest reorganization of the nation s
hysical and human material can pre-
ent Russia's falling into the status of
'hina or Turkey.
The task is too big for the Bolsheviki, /,
lnly the united efforts of the whole :
emoeraey of the country by means Of a J
cal constituent assembly can save her.
The 4th year of the war saw Russia S
reat revolution and Russia $ great fall
VIII the 5th year be the year Of her