The Washington herald., 1918-03-28
RUSS RETAlKE
ODESSA FROM
HUN INVADERS
News Inspires Hope that
Great Nation May
- Come Back.
TROTZKY CALLS ARMY
TR0TZKY CALLS ARMY
Heads Movement Among
Bolsheviki to Strike
Back at Invaders.

Semi-oficial reports received
here yesterday were believed to in
dcate the tremendous resources of
Russia may be reorganized to fight
Germany and Austria at the most
critical period in the. world war.
The recaptuTe of Odessa, the
richest port on the Black Sea, with
a number of other Ukranian cities,
by Bolshevik troops was second in
interest only to war reports from
the Western front.
Reports EneouFagtaE.
Unofficial reports from Moscow
and Petrograd were equally encour-
aging. Trotzky il said to have pro-
claimed universal military training.
Experienced officers were declared
to have accepted the call in great
numbers. The movement to strike
back at Germany was regarded as
sincere because of the time chosen
for 1t.
Uprislng Retires LenIne.
In the absence Of Official informa-
ton from Ambassador Francis, no
definite statement was obtainable
either at the State Department or
the White House. But, 1t was un-
officially asserted that President
Wilson Will employ every agency
at the command of the government
. to stimulate the revolt, which began
to take form even before the Ger
man peace treaties were ratified
by the Pan Soviet Congress at Mos
COW.
Ambassador Francis. working
under the immediate direction Of
the White House. is considered to
have accomplished more to prevent
the Russians from submitting to Ger
man domination than any one indi-
yiduaL Within the last ten days he
issued a statement from Vologda
warning the people IL they did pot
organize with sufficient strength
to effeetualIy resist the Teutonie
invaders they would become sub
jeets Of the Kaiser and have their
lands absorbed by the Central En-
pires.
As assurance that he intended to
remain as the representati tive of the
United states and lend a helping
hand Mr.. Francis announced that he
would not quit Russia in hs official
capacity until compelled by force
to do so. 50
.. 8. to Aid Russians
II Is believed by diplomatic experts
the announced resignation Of Nickolat
Lenine as Prime Minister of the Boz
sheviki was the first step in the plan
to officially declare the recently sign
ed peace agreement mere scrap OF
paper The withdrawal of Lenine
was not explained at the time Of the
announcement two days ago Since
he led the movement to ratify the
German made treaty at Moscow a
cause for retirement becomes ap-
parent with the birth Of a general up
rising.
Opinion prevails in Washington that
the common purpose in opposing Ger
many and Austria will harmonic the
many disgruntled elements Of the Boil
sheviki Indications Of this are al
ready said to exist IN the apparent
sympathy at Moscow and Petrograd
with the developments In the Ukraine.
Only a short time ago the Bolsheyih
factions were fighting among them
selves on the Ukraipe boundary.
III Is Ec6dIuCO as NEANaAh NAAoN -
soon as any centralized authority Is
established for the purpose Of resist
ing German influences IN Russia the
United States will extend recognition
in such form as will make material
assistance possible. Such a course
became apparent from the policy
adopted by President Wilson in re-
fusfng to assent to intervention by
Japan in Siberia, and through the
message Of sympathy sent to the Mos
COW conference.
ofncials who supported the Presi-
dents position In the Russo-Japanese
controversy, even at the possible cost
OF disagreeins with certain Of the en-
tente powers, were greatly elated over
yesterdays reported Developments.
Rob Russia Of Food.
Excerpts from German and Aus
trian newspapers which have been
made available through the Commit
tee on Public Information here re-
vsaled how the militarists attempted
to appease their own people with
promises Of foodstuffs to be obtain
ed from the Ukraine, and southern
districts of Russia. The reports in
dicate how the Russians are fighting
10 prevent the execution of an order
that all but Is per cent Of the grain
in the Ukraine be surrendered
The Ukrainian Rada Is understood
to have protested that the demand
amounts to confiscation and exceed
the terms of the treaty.
The report that the Russian Black
Sea Fleet il supporting the revolt
against the Germans was regarded
with the keenest interest at the
Navy Department. but there was
very little information as to the
number of fighting ships still in
sarSfeeable condition