Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1918-01-05
SATURDAY EVENING, JANUARY S, 1s,s.
EVENTS OLA WEEK

EVENTS OLA WEEK
Whatever else may be said about Russia 1t cannot
tsuth3ully BE- said that it is not an interesting country. It
has been productive Of moro surprises during this war
than has any other portion of the globe, and the pro-
srasa - being continued without prospect Of material
change IN it, character. The possibilities Of the imme-
data future range from the conclusion of a separate
psaes between the Russian Bolsheviki and Germany
with tho release Of all German prisoners now held in
Russian military, political and commercial domination
ot Russia b. Germany. and even tho more or less active
pAFtlatpation Of some sections Of the Russian empire in
the war on the German side. to the definite discontinue
aAas Of all peace negotiations. some form Of recognition
Of the Be1shsviki faction by the entente powers, and tho
FeaAsnvtien Of active warfare by such Russian units as
can he fitted for service. With possibilities So Opposite
and "a far.ssaching there is material in the Russian sit
uatisA>ts intsrast the world for some time to come.
Il + + + 4 \
Fer the present tho peace conference at Brest-
Atsysk has been broken of. and the rupture has come
With . srsat show Of indignation by rrotzky, the spokes-
man l& tia Russian radical faction. Tho terms pro-
posed by Germany included the independence Of Rus
sian (but not Prussian) Poland and the Baltic provinces
under such conditions as would insure German domina-
ton. the Continued occupation Of strategic points On the
Baltic now held by the Germans and q number of other
stipuiations which would insure to Germany practical
oontrei over the future Of Russia- These terms, 50 the
dispatches say, have been ernphatically rejected by the
Russian delegates. and things are for the present at q
standstill. ~
Two Numerically opposite views Of the situation
are expressed. One is that the Bolsheviki have been
and are acting in perfect good faith, ana that the one
stdsdness Of the German proposals has opened their eyes
70 tho danger and the futnity OF having any commerce
With the German government. Acceptance Of this view
leads naturally to speculation on the possibility Of an
understanding between the Bolsheviki and the entente
powers, the recreation Of the eastern hattie line in such
? manner as to require at least some attention from
Germany and Russian progress toward a sane and or
DERBY government The other view is that the whole
proceeding is . play staged for the deception of the
nninformed, Germany offering terms which she knows
will be rejected, Trozky and his associates rejecting
the terms - per understanding. Germany returning
with modified plans which will be accepted, with the re-
suit that Germany can point to her course as evidence
9Fof her sincerity and moderation. and the radical Rus
sian leaders can point to what they hava done al -evi-
denes that after all. they are practical patriots instead
OF iaw1esa naleentents or idle dreamers.
$50 + y
4 The new year opened with the railroads of tho Uni
tea states under the direct control of the federal gov
eminent where. according to opinions quite freely ex-
pressed by several government officials and several emf
hent railway men, they are likely to remain. One of
the first acts Of Director General McAdoo was to dis.
solve the railway war board and to create what Is known
~ a var cabinet with Hale Holden, president of the Bur
nngton. at its head and specialists in several other i'm.
portant lines OF work as its other members On Friday
the president presented to congress his .economenda.
tons Is To the railroad legislation which he believes
necessary At this time. the recommendations arc IN linz
With the statements made just prior to the taking ove,
81 the roads In accordance with the recommendation,
bills have been introduced providing funds for the i'm.
mediate operation Of the roads, authorizing the estab-
lishment OF a basis Of net returns to the road calculated
on the average of the past three years, and a humble,
1Eof. pther details.
4 + 4 +
The announced intention Of the government is tc
pool all railway properties. to carry freight BY the most
direct routes. TO adjust shipments on the oasis Of the
most pressing needs and to conserve railway enerx,
by disseminating many fast and luxurious trains and
some local trains (which are not considered necessary
sasS welisas to eliminate from other trains equipmen,
h'cia a. not 1fresarded as sssential 10 the carrying on q
the business Of the nation.
ASs. 49, = n y 49, tI
%#& n - somnaenlS held that the new order Of thins,
wll Ts,neys ths preeshtnty of interruption of tram,
s.txslabeE mspaSerstanstpgs The railway hretAsrhpod,
shaaxss1dss sasaraacs inst thsy8 wtl not barsas III.
SAsatsnsa psssuiaE anySpf their dsmsndssst ths pein
sSSsAerss nstttcnalss disastsr would be thrsate1sd.s nd ~ g
sA&(AAeRnonSo f esatrsl ~ NE soyernn1eut ~ ssrsrally1 hold
N16SEHNasA6 .nnoas other thtnss, Fthat. surtns Nm ssaur.
gsppSSef Il sss1tinpAacs TABOR dispu,ss v0ls i, ,.tt1,t
Hg@gs164ss otasr ssests thanSthA = m strikss 20 h4slock,,