Shoshone journal. [volume] (Shoshone, Idaho) 1884-1931, 1918-02-15
RUSSIA COUNTED
OUT OF THE WAR
UKRAINE SIGNS PEACE PACT AND
BOLsHEvikI EXPECT TO DE-
MOBILIZE ARMY.
Act of Treachery of Russ Not Expected
to Aid Huns but Slightly, Be-
cause Men Liberated Are
in Bad Shape,

WaShington.zWft the opening oi
the great campaign of 1913 on ths
western front apparently within sight
military men here have examined witt
! profound interest the situation created
! by the signing of peace pact be
tween the central powers and the new
Ukraine republic and the decision of
the Bolsheviki Russian government to
demObilize the army.
Their conclusions were not discour-
aging. These events on their face
would appear to set free enormous Ger
man forces for the impending battle
in the west and also to furnish new
sources Of food supply for the leu
tonic allies, but many factors detract
from the advantages the central pow
ers may derive.
One of the threats against the west
ern fronts, dwelt upon in public dis
cussion, is the fact that presumably
100000 prisoners of war held in Rus
sin would be released to strengthen
the German army The fact is said to
be- however, that the great majority
of the soldiers captured by the Rus
slams are Austrians, and not available
for western front operations by pres
ent indications. Most of the others
are civilians or camp followers of one
kind or another and so far as known
only small number of German troops
were captured on that front. Any men
from the prison camps are regarded as
of doubtful military value for some
time to come as the Russians, unable
to feed their own soldiers, hardly have
improved the health of captives.
Food Supply Doubtful.
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. Failure
of the Russian transportation system
worked in Germany's interests in I'M
dermining 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 re- |
siOns which may be opened to the Ger
mans are in a remote section of the
Ukraine and in such poor condition
hat the agricultural system may have
20 be made over, difficult process
With the confusion that prevails
the region.
Rehabilitation of the Russian army
Will not mean that the AustrO-German
3ulgar forces on the frontiers can be
wholly withdrawn. There will be
constant threat of renewed hostilities
md the Germans must see to it that
lmple force is always at hand.
In fact, diplomatic observers say
germany is confronted with the mos
lifficult and unprecedented problem
he has met during the present wm
IS a result of the declaration that
russia has abandoned hOstilities with
nut the signing of a peace treaty. TIL
efusal of the Russians to sign an
reaties alternating the Russian west
IN provinces, the diplomats point out
will leave the central powers withou
ny legal claim to their possession.
ierman and Austrian tenure will res.
ntirely upon the assertion of force
Without recognition of international
NV and consequently must be subject
o the decision of whatever form of tri-
unal finally determines the basis of
eneraI neace.