Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1921-01-13
SPRING TO SEE
FIGHT
ON SOVIET LINE
Balkans to Support Border
States Against Bolshe-
visit Drives.
ALLIES DELAY DECISION

PARIS, Jan. 13-More than 100000
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 adFices indicate the lighting front
will extend from 200 to go miles
The Bolshevists ar expected to launch
several major spring drives, the trench
authorities said. Meeting them VIII De
troops from several Balkan states rally
ing in support of Roumanla, Czecho-
Sloxakia. Poland and perhaps the border
sfates which Russia wishes to reclaim.
The military strength Of the countries
expected to ente- the lighting is:
Russia, 100000 man.
Poland, 100000 men.
Roumania, 900 600 men.
Baltic states, 100000 men.
Military experts agree that the million
men expected from Poland would De her
maximum strength, while the million
escrIbed TO Russia was a mere beginning.
That number, however, in view Of her
ability to train and equip an army, is
regarded as her maximum for the spring
campaign.
OTHERS TO SWELL
ANTI-RED RANKS.
They also added to the forces Of the
nations marked for attack by the Boil
shevists men who might be expected from
Jugo- Slavia and Czecho- Slovaki1-
France and Italy have not discussed
their attitudes, but it is expected they
viii do so at the coming conference Of
premiers here
Meanwhile active preparation for war
is proceeding at q dozen scattered points
in Europe.
One of the significant things was the
speed with which Italy and Jugo-Slavia
arranged 10 ratify the Rapallo treaty,
composing all differences between the two
countries Statesmen regarded the activ-
ity as part OF a program TO rid them
selves OF all encumbrances so the little
entente can act unitedly in behalf OF
Roumania when the expected Bolshevist
attack occurs.
Roumania is said to be negotiating with
the soviets on the matter Of altering the
Bessarabian boundary line. with Russia
rejecting all proposals. In many Euro
pean capitals this is regarded as an eff
fcrt BY Russia to leave the Bessarabian
province an excuse for attack in the
spring.
MAY OPEN WAY
TO CONSTANTINOPLE.
: While the northern states see in the
s6ASpjected Russian attack an attempt to
IS Scad soviet power over Europe, the
southern nations look upon 1t as Il means
ii opening the way tc COnstantinople.
Combining the drive through ROumsnia
with an attack on the eastern side or
the Black Sea, they believed. the soYiets
would be carrying out n plan to link
Turkey and Russia and make CONSTANT
nople an outpost OF BOIshevism. Ar the
same time the Mohammedan countries
will be thrown open to the Russians.
The southern states looked upon Red
Concentration along the Polish and Bal
tic lines largely as measures OF defense
while the real shock troops and heavy
artillery were being pilad on the Rou.
inaniana and Azerbaijaa fronts.
The strength Of the red" army was
a matter of much speculation in military
circles Of all Europe. The Bolshevists
themselves claimed ability to put 100000
men in the field by next summer, French
experts said.
French observers did not doubt the ire
mendous resources of the soviet country,
but were skeptical as to her ability to
train and equip that number. Reliable
advices showed 10000 now are under
arms, while equal numbers of reserves
are stationed near Moscow, Petrogr rad
and Reval.
One of the busiest places in all Rus
STA, according to reports here, is the
PutilOf munitions factory, near PetrO-
gEd Before the war 5000 persons were
Employed ia that factory and its output
was sufficient for an army Of millions.