The Chesterfield advertiser. [volume] (Chesterfield C.H., S.C.) 1884-1978, 1918-02-28
WHOLE WORLD NOW
BAFFLED OVER THE
STATUS or RUSSIA

Washington, Feb. 23.--Russia alb
rorbed official and diplomati, CONVEX
sations here tonight.
Cables received at the state de-
partment and allied embassies indi-
Gated the whole Notwithstanding the
central powers-is baffied at the situ-
alton now confronting the Bolsheviki
government Of Trotsky and Lenine.
The uncertainty existing in Petro-
grad itself was reflected in delayed
cables from Ambassador Francis, who
reported Trotsky amazed at the sud-
denness of the German advance into
Dvinsk, the Soviet on record as ia
voring armed resistance if efforts are
made to capture Petrograd, and the
allied ambassadors preparing to flee
II the situation grows dangerous.
With Francis, at the head of the
worlds most interesting and patht-
&c problem, are $50 Americans, includ-
ing 80 women and children and 45
members of the embassy staff.
Should Petrograd be menaced.
Francis will take as many out of Rus
sia with him as possible-probably
via Vladivostok.
No concern is felt, however. at the
safety of the Americans. The great
est interest is manifest in what will
happen to the German army on the
one hand and the Bolsheviki govern.
ment on the other.
Military men here look for a strong
stand by the Russians when the Ger
mans near Petrograd. Allied diplo-
mats believe the Trotsky-Lenine reg.
ime is tottering. Some who know
Russia we'll saw that following the
inevitable fall" of the Bolshevik;
leaders will come still greater chaos
then, finally, strong centralized gov.
ernment about some military chief.
tain, possibly the former Grand Duke
Nicholas Nicholaiovitch.
What may be Germany's real OBJ.
Jectives are expected to develop dur.
ing the next week. Chancellor Won
Hertling has promised, according to
reports, to address the reichstag and
is expected to combine an answer to
President Wilson's last war aims
speech, with discussion of the Rus
sian situation. That he will claim
the German advance is to "help" ra
ther than to harm Russia, is looked
for by officials here.
Germany's possible disposition OF
Russia, once in her control, has Ion,
developed interesting comment from
I'll quarters-ever since Lloyd
Georges declaration that Russia's flu
ture is now virtually in her ow,
hands. Editorial comment by tn,
newspaper Of Premier Sonnino O,
Italy, anent this point, has reache,
this government and thrown a new
light on Germany's possible obiec
tives. The newspaper article declar
ed that "now that England has lef
Russia to her fate" perhaps German,
and Austria will see a chance O.
peace by giving up Belgium, north
ern France, Trieste, Trentino (art
other territories demanded by Italv
and accept the privilege of expand
ing IN conquered Russian territory.
England, however, already ha
served notice that she will acknowl
edge no peace between Germany ar,
ukraine (now signed), which fails t,
give Poland the right to express he
wishes in the negotiations.
Upon developments in Russia dur
ing the next few days also is expecte,
to depend what happens to Rumania
now completely surrounded by enc
mics. Rumania to-day finds hersel
the crux of a fighting circle-at wa
with Germany, who in turn is strik
ing ut Russia, while the Bolshevik
are attacking Ukraine and Ukrain,
nehting Rumania. Rumanian diplo
mats here look to see their countr,
iorced to an early peace unless un
looked for developments swing Rus
sia IN powerful opposition to the Ger
man advance.
| NO official pretends to be able +,
solve the weird Russian tangle Al
agree that greater chaos is ahead he
| lore 0rHar G,o