Jasper County Democrat, Volume 20, Number 99, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 13 March 1918 — RUSSIAN COLLAPSE NO GREAT MENACE TO ALLIES [ARTICLE]

RUSSIAN COLLAPSE NO GREAT MENACE TO ALLIES

Those over-fearful ... Americans who imagine - the Russian collapse will work to the detriment of the Allies would do well to take a second thought and look at the vsiiuation more closely. Russia' plight is greatly to be deplore! from a standpoint of freedom and democracy. it is, however, only what has been expected for some time. 'Ever since the overthrow of the Kerensky government, the Allies have anticipated just such an outcome and have made ample provision against it. It is a mistake to think Germany w'ill he able greatly to reenforce her armies on the western front with troops taken from Russia. Germany has overrun a large scope of territory belonging to Russia, and this - territory she now 7 demands as included in the peace terms so abjectly accepted by the Bolshevik! government. But demanding territory and holding territory are two very different propositions. This territory is peopled by many races and by peoples of many shades of political belief. At no time has the Bolsheviki government been in anything like entire control. There have always been disturbing elements, and the mere occupation of the territory by Gerjnany will not tend to harmonize these opposing elements. Germany will be forced, if she holds the conquered territory, to keep large standing armies there. In fact, it is extremely doubtful if she can reduce her armies on the eastern front to any extent, and only future events will disclose whether or not she will actually be compelled to augment them.

It is, unfortunately, true that Germany’s occupation of the Russian provinces has opened to her a new 7 source of supplies. This however, is not in itself a matter for great alarm. Germany has all along had about all the supplies she could handle. The pathetic tales of German hunger and misery are a part of the shrewd German ganiig to enlist the sympathy cf Americans and cause letting up of the strenuous program that we have set ourselves. The additional supplies will not go far toward a victory for the Teuton arms. Taken all in all, whatever advantage Gerqiany may derive irom the conquered Russian provinces is being largely offset by the men anl supplies this country is steadil\ putting on the western front. Nothing w 7 ould please Germany more than for Americans to go into a funk over the Russian collapse and imagine that it has given her great advantage. Germany has carefully cultivated the delusion of her invincibility. It is her greatest card and she plays it at every opportunity. But the AlTies have pretty well taken herpelsure and are making thyiPdugh preparation to meet hei x fairly and conquer her. Tlyssijfnificance of the great Russiaufj/olfanse is the pity of a great gone wrong, when such bright possibilities were before it.