The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-01-13
Poland, Rumania and Baltic
States To Repulse Reds.
Russia Has Million Troops To
Force Spring Drive.
FRANCE AND ITALY ALARMED
Maximum Forces To Stop Boil
sheviki Feared Not Enough.
Two Powers Expected To Help
Hold Northern Frontier.

Paris. Jan. 13.-More than s.OOo.-
600 men will be thrown into fighting
along the Russian boundary early this
spring. according to information given
out by French military experts here
today. Their advices indicate the
fighting front will extend from 200 to
$50 miles,
The Bolsheviki are expected "a
launch several major spring drives
the French authorities said. Meetinr
them will be troops from several Raj
Kan states railying in support of Ru-
mania. Czecho-Slovakia. Poland ana
perhaps the border states which Rus
sia wishes to reclaim
Poland to Send Million.
Inc military strength of the coun-
Iries expected to enter the fighting Is.
nHussia, 100000 men; Poland, !. 0o0.-
w men. Rumania. 100000 men; Bal
TIC states. 100000 men,
Military experts agree that tba
ooo,ooo expected from Poland womb
oe ner maximum strength while fhe
miiiion ascribed to Russia was a mere
peslnning That number, however. in
oI her ABILITY to train and euuiu
e en- army, is regarded as her Maximum
LOT the spring campaign.
.hey also added to the forces of tbe
nations marked for attack by the
6oishevlki, men who might be ex~
pected from Jugo-Slavia and Czecho-
Slovakia. eei'o-
France and Italy Alarmed.
france and Italy have not discussed
III atutuoe but 1T is expected they
| ~. ~ 80 at the coming conference of
premlers here. Meanwhile, active
preparation for war is proceeding at n
ooZen scattered points in Europe.
| one of the significant things was the
speed with which Italy and Jugo-
SiaVia arranged to ratify the Rapallo
treaty. composing all differences be-
tween the two countries. Statesmen
regarded the activity as a part of q.
program to rid themselves of all en-
icuinbrances SO the little entente can
act unitedly in behalf of Rumania
when the expected Bolsheviki attack
ioccurs.
Rumania is said to be negotiating
with the soviets on the matter of AL
tering the Bessara bian boundary line
with Russia rejecting all proposals.
In many European capitals this is re-
garded as an effort by Russia to leave
the Bessarabian province an excuse
for attack in the spring.
| Differences In Views
| While the northern states see in the
projected Russian attack an attempt
to spread soviet power over Europe,
| the southern nations look upon It as a
means Of opening the way to Con-
stantinople. Combining the drive thru
Rumania with an attack on the east
ern side of the Black sea. they believed
the soviets would be carrying out a
plan to link Turkey and Russia and
make Constantinople an outpost of
Bolshevism- At the same time the
Mohammedan countries would be
thrown open to the Russians.
the southern states looked upon Red
concentrations along the Polish and
Baltic lines largely as measures of de-
tense while the real shock troops and
heavy artillery were being piled on the
IRumanian and Azerbaijan fronts.
The strength of the Red army was
la matter of speculation in military cir
cles of all Europe today. The Boil
sheviki themselves claimed ability to
put 100000 men in the field by next
summer, French experts said.
Munitions Plants Busy.
French observers did not doubt the
tremendous resources of the soviet
country. but were skeptical as to her
liability to train and equip that num-
ber Reliable advices showed 100000
Inow are under arms, while equal NUM-
lbers of reserves are stationed near
Moscow, Petrograd and Reval.
One of the busiest places in all Rus
sia. according to reports here, Is the
lPutiloff munitions factory near Petro-
igrad. Before the war 25.000 persons
were employed in that factory and its
ioutput was sufficient for an army OF
millions. Donetz plants also were
busy.