The Washington herald., 1918-02-24
$50 American. in PetroErsd.

$50 Americans I'm PetroErad.
There are now about l50 Amer
leans in the Russian capital or this
number thirty are women and for
ty-five embassy and consular en-
ployes. The remainder are mostly
employees in the American banks
and the Singer Sewing Machine
company's branch.
1t is understood that some provI-
sion will be made to get all out
Of the capital who desire to leave.
The plans OF the diplomats, the
American Ambassador yesterday
advised the State Department, were
determined upon tentatively at q
meeting which they held a week
ago. His dispatch to the Depart
ment was dated February Is, but
did not reach Washington until late
last night too late 20 be deciph-
cred.
TrotxLy bitterly CompIaIns-
Bitter complaint was being made
by Trotzky, the Bolshevfk Foreign
Minister. the cable said In sub
stance, that the German govern
ment had violated its pledge, given
at Brest-Litovsk, that il would not
resume hostilities without at least
seven days notice. The entire
Bolshevik government it was in
timated. seemed profoundly over
come by this latest evidence Of
German duplicity.
Petrograd. the advices indicated.
is in grave danger Of capture. de-
spite the determination OF the Boil
shevik government referred to by
Mr.. Francis. to put up all possible
defense.
The march Of the invaders, all evil
dence now shows. was being care
fully planned out by the German
general staff itself while the Rus
sian delegates at Brest-LitOvsll
were being lulled by the assurances
OF the German representative.
Hindenburg himself is credited vita
responsibility for the methodical eN-
actness with which the German d.
visions have invested the various
cities along the line OF advance.
New Menace From North.
4 new menace threatens the SIsv
capital from the north. The gov
ernment of Finland. fighting a revo-
luton led by the Boisheviki Of that
new nation. is getting guns and am
munition from Germany.
Official confirmation OF this. FIRST
reported in press dispatches several
days ago. is likewise contained in
the Francis report With aid TO
the anti-eNtremist governments OF
Ukraine. with which peace has al
ready been made, and to the Firms.
Germany's intent Is TO inclose Pet
roErad in the bite OF a pair Of nip
pers.
While Mr.. Francis and the other
members of the corps might at
tempt TO keep with the BolsheviEt
government il it retires inland
from Petrograd. their departure
from the country. il was stated.
would have to be by way Of Eladi-
vostOk. All other exits. it is de-
clared at the State Department. are
practically controlled by the enemy.
German "HIEe- ProEresses.
Amsterdam. Feb. 2S.-The great
German hike" into Russia contIn-
mile front from the Esthonian Lit
toTal down TO Eastern Volhynia. in
the north the main army Of inva-
sion. said to be commanded by the
eN-Czarins's brother. the Grand
Duke OF Hesse. is within less than
200 miles of Petrograd. The city
OF Walk, 212 miles southwest OF the
capital as the crow flies, has been
occupied, and German cavalry IS
approaching PSkof. 30 miles north
east of Walk Thence direct
strategic rail leads to Petrograd.
l75 miles to the northeast.
In this situation. while all thought
OF compromise between Berlin and the
Bolsheviki has been abandoned, there
came late this afternoon the surpris-
ing report that Trotzky Is on the wsy
TO Brest-Litovsk, via Dvinsk, 20 re-
sumo peace parleys with the Germans
Monday.
Chancellor In ROumaniR.
But the publicity inspirers or VII
helmstrasse lost no time indicating ths
course they will pursue toward
TrotZky. DR.. Won kuehlmann, the for
Cign minister. it was explained. is at
present very busy somewhere in Ru-
Bucharest-'nego-
tiating peace" with the Rumanians.
1t was therefore doubtful, hinted the
Berlin advices. whether he would get
back in time" 10 Brest-Litovsk to
meet Trotzky.