The Chattanooga news. [volume] (Chattanooga, Tenn.) 1891-1939, 1918-02-26
RUSS SURRENDER
PROLONCS WAR
Hopes Of Military Decision in
Coming Spring DispeIIed by
Leaders Action.
tBy David Lawrence.)

Copyright, 1918. by New York Eve
ming Post Company
Washington, Feb. 26.--ProIongation
Of the war is the inevitable oonse. /.
quence Of the surrender by the bolshe-
wiki to Germany's advancing army. No
one Of prominence in Washington has
been any too optimistic, anyhow, about
an early peace since kerensky failed to
keep the Russian army intact.
But whatever hope had been enter
tanned that there might be military
decision In the coming spring can be
said to have vanished. There Is no
particular resentment against the Dol :
sheviki, no feeling of indignation, but
deep sympathy for the plight and
virtual helplessness OF the Russian
masses.
Many people are today saying the
Lenine- -Trotzky government was mis-
taken in treating at all with Germany,
but there are as many who believe the
Brest- Litovsk parleys have driven a
wedge between Austria and Germany
and between the conservatives and lib
erals. in Germany that wili., not end
with the enforced surrender OF the
Russians TO the German army of con-
quest.
To date the German people have
been led to believe that the people in
the Baltic provinces were calling for
the aid of their armies to crush an
archy. But as time elapses they are
bound to discover the truth, and the
slogan Of Germany that she is fighting
a defensive war instead of a war OF
conquest will be punctured.
'hnp te 90 I.aI. -. 4.
the minority socialists in Germany will
not miss the opportunity to character
ize in the reichstag the attack on the
bolsheviki as an attack on defenseless
people. A certain moral effect is bound
to ensue, especially If the Germans
continue to ignore the pleas Of Russia
for peace and occupy Petrograd and
other parts of Russia.
The department of state had nothing
to say on the Russian situation beyond
the announcement that word had been
received Of the plans of Ambassador
Francis and diplomats of the entente
powers to leave Petrograd yesterday
for the east.
Presumably they were going to Mos
cow. whether the bolshevlki govern
ment goes there or not. and, il the
Germans push their armies inland. the
diplomats will try to make their way
10 Vladivostok. Their departure from
Petrograd will mean the last of un-
communication from the
Russian capital and the outside world.
'or the Germans may soon be in pos
session of the cables and telegraph
wires.
The lines through Siberia and Persia
are very poor, and messages have been
4 oloNpH nn thpf1 a 1ny1pr
One Of the main difficulties before the
allied governments, in trying to de-
.ermine what their own policy should |
De toward Russia. has been lack of in |
due to poor facilities of |
communication.
The United States and the allies |
nave been virtually in the dark for |
many weeks, and they have, therefore, |
ieemed 1t wise to keep hands off en-
irely. Yet. while there is a good deal |
Il disappointment at the turn events
rave taken in Russia, IL would be |
wrong to say that faith in the Russian
'eople has departed.
Free Russia can no more live under
he rule of Germany than could free
america. Friction between Germany
nd Russia is expected to be constant,
With the probability that the Berlin
ONernmenJ VIII never reel IL Sa1e TO
all her forces on the eastern
rontier. But the downfall of Russia
as had an effect in Washington quite
ontrary to that which Germany must
oday be telling her people is the case
the entente countries.
Instead of dispiriting influence
hat would lead to a humilating peace,
uch as Russia has been compelled to
ign. the determination TO fight on has
cen appreciably strengthened. Every
gency of the government engaged IN
laking war recognizes and realizes
he new responsibilities imposed upon
merica by Russia's failure.
There is no spirit of relaxation any
niger based on the expectation Of an
lrly peace. but a feeling of resigna-
on that the war is to be indefinitely
rolonged and that the only way II
an be brought to an early end Is by
n answering march forward.
The perfidy of the present German
Overnment has been completely es-
Her treatment of Russia is
4 answer to those who think negotia-
ons with the present leaders of Ger
any is possible. All Washington ap- 5
ears impressed today by the stern in I
of n long war. Russia's !
ithdrawal has spurred America. a