Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 217, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 28 September 1917 — Declares Russia As War Factor Is Hopeless. [ARTICLE]

Declares Russia As War Factor Is Hopeless.

An American, who has spent ten years in European capitals and whose position compels him to take the viewpoint of an impartial observer, has reached Stockholm after six weeks at Petrograd and gives a pessimistic report of the fighting spirit in Russia and political and industrial, conditions there. He says: “There is no fighting spirit except among the Cossacks and Caucasians and that seems to be waning. A Caucasian colonel said to me: ‘There are no real fighters left in Russia except us and w are not Russians, thank God, but Caucasians and Mohammedams.’ “The interior cities and villages are filled with Russian troops who refuse to go to the front. Young Russians of the better class are hunting the strets of Petrograd for men who are willing to become officers. Since the-murder of .officers by men has become a daily occurrence, only the most fervent patriots will assume the risk of taking commissions. “The reports of open djjsobedience of troops at the front and of deeds nf vinlpnpp committed by them are countless. Railway travel in many places, and particularly in southern Russia, is unsafe because trains are looted and those who resist murdered. “I sat is the war office at Petrograd when the report was received of the murder of nearly 100 officers at Visbreg and of the preparation of proscription lists against officers. “Newspapers in Helingsfor carry daily accounts of military deeds of violence and of the murder of officers and civilians by soldiers, often accompanied by robbery. The government has dared do nothing more than announce that these matters will be carefully investigated.”