Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 30, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 13 February 1918 — Few Men Loosed To Fortify West Front [ARTICLE]

Few Men Loosed To Fortify West Front

Washington, Feb. 12—With the opening of the great campaign of 1918 on the western front apparently within sight, military men here examined today with profound interest the situation created by the signing of a peace pact between the central powers and the new Ukraine republic and the decision of the Bolsheviki Russian government to stop fighting and demobilize the army.

Their conclusions were not discouraging. These events on their face would appear to set free enormous German forces for the impending battle in the west and also to furnish new sources of food supply for the Teutonic allies, but many factors detract from the advantages the central powers may derive. One of the threats against the western front dwelt upon in public discussion is the fact that presumably 1,500,000 prisoners of war held in Russia would be released to strengthen the German army. The fact is said to be, however, that the great majority of the soldiers captured by the Russians are Austrians not available for western front operations by present indications. Most of the others are civilians or camp followers of one kind or another and so far as known only a small number of German troops were captured on that front. Any men from the prison camps are regarded as of doubtful military value for some time to come, as the Russians, unable to feed their own 'soldiers, 'hardly have improved the health of captives.

There is doubt here, also, as to the extent to which the agricultural resources of the Ukraine or of Russia can be brought to the aid of the German people in the near future. Failure of the Russian transportation system worked in Germany’s interest in undermining the fighting power of the Russian armies. The same agency now necessarily works against the central powers in its desire to get out food supplies. Moreover the best wheat regions which may be opened to the Germans are in a remote section of the Ukraine and in such poor condition that the agricultural system may have to be made over, a difficult process with the confusion that prevails throughout the region. Demobilization of the Russian army will not mean that the Austro-German-Bulgarian forces on the frontiers can be wholly withdrawn. There will be a constant threat of renewed hostilities and the Teutons must see to it that ample force is always at hand. In fact diplomatic observers say Germany is confronted with the most difficult and unprecedented problem she has met during the present war as a result of the declaration that Russia has abandoned hostilities without the signing of a peace treaty.