The Washington herald., 1918-08-10
LENINE'S WAR
TALK WILL NOT
HINDER PLANS
Allies Doubt If Bolsheviki
Will. Prove Hostile IT.
the End.

the End.
London, Aug. e.-Al accounts from
Eastern Russia show that disorder
anarchy and bloodshed continue to
increase from day to day. A Stock
holm dispatch to the Morning Post
states that a Swedish steamer has
arrived from Petrograd bringing a
number Of refugees of all nationali-
ties. They say that famine and
cholera claim numerous victims
daily and that there is no security
for life and property.
Military officers are specially sub
ject to the hatred of the Red Guards.
catches of several hundred officers
are brought in barges down the
Neva to the sea. where the bottoms
of the barges are opened and the
oficers drowned like rats.
Old generals with grey hair can
be seen brought by young armed
Red Gnards to open places and shot.
In Siberia Bolshevism has almost
disappeared except SO far as 1t is
supported by the bayonets of re-
leased German and Austrian prison.
ers.
A body of Siamese soldiers will
shortly appear on the Western front
with one of the allied armies. The
troops are clothed in khaki and are
wen armed and disciplined.
Lenlne Yields to Huns.
Announcement by Premier Nickolai
Lenine. of the Bolshevik government.
that Russia is in a state of war with
the allies, will in no way retard i'm
execution of the plan to ex-
tend economic aid to Siberia.
This fiat declaration was obtained
at the White House and the State De-
partment yesterday. A careful study
Of the official reports Is said to have
President Wilson that Le-
nine has yielded to the influence of
the German ambassador at Moscow
rather than to the sentiment of the
people.
To know the real attitude Of the
Is to have the situation
clarified. 1t was stated. Prior to this
every step taken had been made in
the dark. Lenine will be quick to
shift his sympathies. 1t is thought, as
soon as 1t can be demonstrated that
the success of the American and al
lied plan will lift the German yoke of
oppression from Russia.
The very fact that the pronounce
ment does not appear to be predi-
Gated on any plan for hostile aggres-
sive action is regarded as evidence
that the policy OF the Bolshevik lead
ers was hastily considered.
Francis Out OF Touch.
Consul General Poole at Moscow, in
a message forwarded to the State
Department on July 81 and just re-
ceived, gave the details of Lenine's
announcement What has happened
in the intervening nine days is not
known as Ambassador Francis.s who
is now on the Murmansk coast is en-
tirely out Of touch with conditions in
more southern Russia.
Consul General Poole's report told
that Lenine. while addressing u meet
ing, of Soviets. had announced that a
state of war existed. The Bolshevist
leader talked only In general terms
Of opposition TO the plan of inter-
vention. which was referred to as
war-like invasion.
The American consul with represen-
tatives of other interested powers at
Moscow called on the Russian Foreign
Minister Tchicherin for an expiana-
ton They were told that Lenine's
declaration did not necessarily mean
but that II implied a state
OF defense rather than a state of war,
Would Continue Relations.
Tchicherin is also quoted by the
consul general as having
stated that Russia wished to continue
relations with the allies under simi-
iar circumstances as with Germany
The transparency Of the latter state
ment was the cause of considerable
reiief at the State Department. and
was declared to demonstrate beyond
DOUBT that the Bolsheviki government
autnorities are merely playing safe"
during period In which Russian pol
state.
There is very little information in
Washington. either at the State De-
partment or the Russian Embassy. as
TO the number of Bolshevik troops
actually under arms in European Rus
sia- The strength of the German
forces was recently estimated. at
thtrty-two divisions, or approximately
Soo'co men Of very inferior class.
Germany Must Keep Force.
Confidential reports received re-
Gently at the State Department were
to the effect that Germany had been
unable to withdraw this Considerable
force. owing to the frequent and in
creasing disorders in the border states
which the Kaiser proposes to annex.
There never has been any fndica tion
or a disposition by the Bolshevik
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