The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-02-26


 Russia, the land of untold possibilities, for the while lies helpless and broken, while men of indecision vainly try out this or that theory of government.
 If anybody had inquired year ago as to the future of Russia, the answer he would have received would have been very different from the one that would be given him now. It was thought the great white bear of the north after shaking himself after a beating at the hands of little Japan was going to show the world that his growl was no bluff, but would be backed up with his bite and his claws.
 am convinced that Germany was bet wage war than were the Russians. That the Kaiser knew the real facts better than the Czar, for European and Asiatic Russia fad been weevilled with Ger mans. Keep this In mind, for it will ex- plain much that has recently transpired.
 
 Germany had kept a watchful eye on Roosevelt had brought about the Ports- mouth conference and the European giant had accepted the peace offer or the pygmies of the east At the close of the war with Japan Russias navy was practically without ships and her diplomacy without background.
 Embroiled in financial difficulties, torn by internecine strife harassed with ad- ministrative corrupton so that its effects were fostering in the life of all classes, it seemed as if the colossus was totter- would be unable to arise again. They were dark days for Russia.
 Then stories began to trickle out that the government, realizing that something heroic must be done, was turning the beaurocrats out and was making real administrative reforms and reorganiz- ing the army on modern basis and was fast becoming power that would have to be reckoned with if Europe went to war.
 No one knew so well as Germany that Russia. in spite of some reforms, was far from being a really dangerous foe, but it did not suit her aims to let the world know it, although there is abund- ant evidence that the military staff or Berlin thought meanly of it-"a mob in was one description Another was not quite so severe-"a barracks of l which only the bricks have been got to- gether, the cement and the builders be- l ing lacking"
 Emperor Williams estimate of Russa's | army was not high. It was held to be | still suffering from the defeat at the | hands of the Yankees" of the Orient | Her military experts were said to be op- l posed to war. The Czar himself was be- l lieved to have horror of fresh cam paign on political and dynastic grounds | Let's go bit deeper.
  and they were nearer the truth, that in i another five or six years under the lead- ership of Grand Duke Nicholas and other true Russians, that the forces might bs | shaped into formidable weapon of de- fense and possibly of offense. They be. l gan to study the countrys resources for war and took closer stock of the army. | It's defects and possibilities.
 In spite of German intrigue. the Rus- sian spirit was growing and yearly be- coming menace to the Pan-Germanistic | north sea to the Indian ocean. which must pass through some ~of the Balkan | states, which were in sympathy with the Slav hope of a greater Russia. Ger many being founded on conquest, was ready to fight for what she wanted
 She argued that Russia was weak, but | had the clements of strength, and that she must strike before she got her sec ond wind from her conflict with the ! Japanese. A pretext must be made. Then shot was fired. and while not aimed at her, gave her chance to begin what she would term a preventive war. The whole plot has been laid bare in the diplomatic correspondence which has been published In the various state pa- ocrs.
 Having made tip her mind that "der rag' had come sha bepan e vano,no,,s press campaign against Russia as the menace to the peaca of Europe. She kept daily asking, why should Russia seek to reorganizc her army if she har- bored no aggressive designs agalns, Germany and Austria. It was camou. 'lage to hida the designs of the part lers against Servia. which was blocking he path so Constantnople. Now. to a certain extent Germany the power of Russia to strike, and William misread Cousin Nick's'' temper. I believe the fight that Russia put up for awhile was a real sur prise to the militarists at Berlin I am, however. of the opinion that Germany Ill along counted on Russia's collapse md took gamblers chance in calling ler bluff of being ready.
 Poor. misguided Russia. her detach- nent from her allies and her humiliating l. peace is tragic. for Russian peacemon- gers are going to have poor time of t in spite of armistices or treaties. for