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Show REVIEW OF IE WAR JNEUROPE Russian Peace Will Not Be Wholly Advantageous to the German Forces. WASHINGTON, Feb. 13. With tho opening of the great campaign of 1318 on the western front apparently within with-in sight, military men here examined today with profound interest the situation sit-uation created by tho signing of a peace pact between the central powers nnd tho new Ukraine republic and the decision of tho Bolsheviki Russian government to demobolize tho army. Their conclusions wero not discouraging. dis-couraging. Those events on their face would appear to set freo enormous German forces for tho impending battle bat-tle In the west and also to furnish new sources of food supply for the Teutonic allies, but many factors detract de-tract from the advantages tho central powers may dorivo. One of the threats against tho western west-ern front dwelt upon in public discussion discus-sion is tho fact that presumably 1,500,-000 1,500,-000 prisoners of war hold in Russia would bo 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 Austrlans, not available for western front operations by presont indications. Most of tho others aro civilians or camp followers of one kind or another and. so far as known, only a small nuniber of German troops wero cap-ttured cap-ttured on that front. Any men from the prison camps are regarded as of doubtful military valuo for some time to come as the Russians, unable to feed their own soldiers, hardly have Improved tho health of captives. There is doubt here, also as to tho extent to which tho agricultural resources re-sources of the Ukraine or of Russia can be brought to the aid of the German Ger-man people in the near future. Failure of the Russian transportation system worked ih Germany's interest in undermining un-dermining tho fighting power of the Russian armies. Tho same agency now, necessarily, works against tho central powers In Its desire to get out food supplies. Moreover, tho best wheat .roglons which may bo opened to the Germans are in a remote section of tho Ukraine and in such poor condition con-dition that tho agricultural system may have to be made over, a difficult process pro-cess with tho confusion that prevails throughout the region. Demobilization of tho Russian army will not mean that the Austro -German -Bulgarian forces on the frontiers can be wholly withdrawn. There will be a consiam mreai oi reneweu nosum-les nosum-les and tho Germans must seo to It that ample force is always at hand. In fact diplomatic observers say Germany Ger-many is confronted with tho most difficult dif-ficult and unprecedented problem she has met during tho present war as a result of tho declaration that Russia has abandoned hostilities without the signing of a peace treaty. Tho refusal re-fusal of the Russians to sign any treaties treat-ies alienating tho Russian western provinces, pro-vinces, the diplomats point out, will leave tho central powers without any legal claim to their possession. German Ger-man and Austrian tenure will rest entirely en-tirely upon tho assertion of force, without recognition of international law and consequently must be tho subject sub-ject to the decision of whatever form of tribunal finally determines the basis bas-is of general peaco. Should Germany and Austria resolvo to refuse to recognize the Bolsheviki decree as terminating tho war without tho confirmation of that action by a treaty in the usual form, their armies would be in the position of killing an unresisting and unarmed people, a proceeding regarded hero a8 certain to cause trouble for the Teutonic governments gov-ernments with their peoplo at home. 1 An appeal from the Russian peasants to the working olasses of Germany and Austria, It is believed here, would not fail of a sympathetic response embarrassing embar-rassing to the military parties. The United States never has recognized recog-nized the Bolsheviki regime, and Russia's Rus-sia's abandonment of the war will not alter existing relations. This was mado clear at the state department today, where It also was stated that the formal for-mal signing of a peaco treaty by tho new government of tho Ukraine could have no diplomatic effect so for- as this government Is concerned. Tho first official intimation that peaco had been signed was received today from Minister Vopicka at Jassy, Rumania. Ruma-nia. Such consular officers as tho United States happens to have in Ukraninn territory will be retained at their posts in accord with all usages in the caso of the establishment of new govern ments, but this cannot be taken to mean ovenja do facto recognition. Official Of-ficial confirmation that eithor Franco or Great Britain had rocognlzed tho Ukranian government was still lacking lack-ing today. The one clear thing In the whole situation sit-uation from a military point of view is that the struggle has narrowed down to tho western front, of which the Italian theater already has boon officially of-ficially recognized as a portion by the alliod chiefs. Tho final test of arms Is to come on that front. : oo |