The Nome daily nugget., 1918-02-18

Wth the fourth year the world wide war assumes a new aspect. A mili- tary decision is not yet In sight and it seems likely that during the coming months political influences will br more important than army maneuvers Even the battles now heinz fought are dictated more by the intent od affecting public opinion than of mak- ing conquests. The recent attacks ot French and British on the Hindenbere Petrograd and the Austrian invasion of Italy, are obviously designed to strengthen the war sentiment at home and the peace sentiment in the enemy country. In every European belliser- ent nation there Is on anti-war move ment that is daily gathering force and becoming more outspoken.
 As each country entered the war 6 wave of patriotism swept over the land and washed away the barriers be tween parties, sects, and classes. Con servauves and liberals, clericals and anti-clericsJs, capitalists and socialists. joined hands and rivaled one another in devotion and self. sacrifice to the national cause. A party peace" was declared: 9 sacred union was establish cd; coalition cabinets were formed; To- cal issues were buried; personal am- hitions were subordinated. This era of good feeling has lasted longer and resisted greater strain than could have been expected, but 1t now shows signs of breaking up everywhere. Rumors of revolution arc afloat In regard to var lous belligerents and however little their foundation their mere existence points to rise of mutual suspicion and 9 breakdown of the national unity.
 Let us consider what information we have as to the internal condition Of each country in turn.
 In Russia the process of national dlsintexration has reached It's height and has practically removed that country from the list of beuiserents. When kerensky said recently that Rus sia, wa worn out" and henceforth the Allies must take the heaviest part of the burden on their shoulders" his words were received with incredulity, but q few days later they were un- fortunately confirmed by the news that Kerensky was a fugitive and the capital In the hands Of anarchists de- te1Tnined upon immediate peace. Fin land has declared herself an indepen- dent republic. Ukrainia has practical ly seeded. The Poles Let's, Lithuan- ians. Cossacks, Georsians, and Armen- ans demand independence. The estab- lishment of the Russian republic Is the greatest victory for democracy yet gaind by the Allies and the freedom of these 170, 100000 Is the greatest stake In the war. But that Is likely to be lost either thru external con- quest or internal dissensions unless peace comes soon. 50 that the Russians can get a chance to organize with the aid of their allies a. stable govern ment.
 Austria Hungary is in almost as ser ious condition. This polyglot and con- posite monarchy has hitherto astonish ed tho world by Its stability, but Is now subjected to internal strain that threatens to disrupt 1t. The southern Slavs have affiliated with their Ser bian brethern and plan to join with them in founding new nation, Jusos- lavia. The Masyars have lost their chief reason for clingins to Austria now that the Russian menace is re- moved. The aspirations of the Caechs and Slovaks to start an independent Bohemian republic has received the promise of support from the allies, and CiAVa oA sAiO ~Aeosis-AA oS'SeSbss~s*~ " suppress them by wholesale, hanginss have failed A few months ago a couple of Bohemian regiments in Ga- licia went over in a body to the. Rus sians. tho they rexrsttsd 1t shortly af- terwards. for the Illusions slipt away and left them to bear the br1lnt of the Austrian attack, which virtually an- initiated them. Austria Hungary has been almost equally humiliated by the repeated defeats ahe has aunered when fighting her own battles and by the arrogance Of the German officers under whom she has won her only victories. The drive on Italy Is intended to re- store confidence and put stop to in- ternal dIssensions. but 1t is doubtful if if will succeed in it's pOlItical aim