Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1919-09-26

Petrograd with the troops we had in
the eAs,. Witt the help of the Ion
Cossacks we could also have t.tiaTKed
in the direction of Moscow. This
would have been far better than
merely defending a long line. which
absorbed more troops than would nave
Leen required for a short advance,
besides unnerying the troops, whose
morale would have been maintained
by active operations.
We could have deposed the Soviet
government, which was thoroughly
hostile to us. and given help to other
authorities in Russia. which were
not working against us. but indeed
anxious to cooperate with US. This
would have been a success of great
Importance to the general conduct OF
the war.
If some other government We're es-
tablished in Russia. ii would almost
certainly have been possible to come
to some compromise with it over the
peace of Brest, whereas, in dealing
with the Bolshev:sts, a simple aban-
donment of the treaty without any
idea as to how matters would develop
would have been the same kind OF
payment in advance" policy as were
all the ideas about peace of under
standing" so long as the enemy
would accept no such peace.
Our government remained wholly
| ignorant of the underground activities
of the Bolsheviks, whom they regard
( ed, or wished to regard, as honest
| They entered into further negotiation;
with them over these points of Tho
treaty which had not been cleared up
| Nothing, not even the unavenged muir
| der of our ambassador at MOSCOW
shook their faith. They walked
| straight into the trap set by the Dol
sheviks. while simultaneously show
| ing distrust of all other tendencies IL
| Russia.
The Bolshevist government was very
accommodating; it granted the Ger
man demands with regard to Esthonls
| and Livonia. conceded the independ
ence of Georgia, agreed to pay an in
demnity by instruments, and hold GU
prospects of the delivery of raw ma
terials, including oil, from Baku
Later on the first instalments of the
indemnity were actually paid a!
agreed. rather to my surprise.
Our governments confidence in the
Bolshevists went so far that they act
| ually wanted 10 supply arms ana am
munition to Herr Joffe. The gentle
man who brought from the foreign
office the document dealing with thu
matter, remarked to me: This ma
terial remains in Germany and Jofft
will use it against us here"
At the conference in spa, when oul
Georgian policy was being discussed
the imperial chancellor agreed to sent
Colonel Won Kress. who had returned
to Germany from the Palestine front
to Tiffis as his representative, with al
escort of one or two companies. |
had become essential for us to show ;
stronger hand in this district. no
merely because we hoped to secur'
some military assistance from tina
quarter, but also in order to Obtain
raw materials. Germany and Turke.
were then clashing over control of tn
riches of the Caucasus.)
could Not RELY on Turkey"
That We could not rely on Turke.
in the matter had been once agail
demonstrated by her conduct in Batun
where she claimed the right to retain
,ali the stocks for herself. We cou.t
only expect to get oil from Baku /
.wc helped ourselves. ----,-, - - s.-
The shortage Of fuel at home. an'