New-York tribune., 1916-07-25
Never Before We're Sol
diers and People So
Closely United.
NATIONAL SPIRIT
STlRS ALL TROOPS
Ample Supplies of Munitions,
Food and Clothing Due to
Voluntary Workers
8t ~. TCmERAEsOfF.

Petrograd. July 1.-The brilliant Rus
sian offensive started by he army Of
General BrLssilof, followed D. ,Ao ac-
tion of the Northern armies under Ku-
ropatkin and Rusky against Hinden-
burg, has aroused widespread enlhusi-
asm throughout the whole country, even
to the remotest corner of Eastern Rus
sia and Siberia.
OF course, everywhere victory by
an army is greeted by the people with
satisfaction. and this was also the case
during the first Russian conquest Of
Galicia. But that first conquest was
considered as an exclusively military
achievement, while this time the whole
nation, down to the illiterate peasant,
is convinced that the victory is the
outcome of the whole-hearted coopera-
tion of the army and the eople. And
really the nation has the right to share
in the armys glory.
Besides the Red Cross and medical
service organized by voluntary effort
to supplement the government work, 1t
is due to the movement of voluntary
organizations that the Russian army is
now lavishly provided with munitions,
as it was the town and provincial coun-
ellis (Zemstvos) which created the mu-
nitions works which have been sending
to the front this enormous output of
shells and arms.
Backed by the People.
If the Russian soldiers are now well
clothed, abundantly fed, hygienically
cared for. il is again because immedi-
ately behind the lighting army there is
a peaceful army of voluntary workers
building baths, kitchens and shelters,
mending and sewing the soldiers boots
and clothes, providing books and papers,
cooking dinners, digging trenches and
Transporting war material night up TO
the front.
Never in Russian history was the
army in so close touch with the nation.
Apart from the physical improvement,
the moral effe:t of this national CO.
operation and sympathy has been mar
vellous on the spirit of the troops. The
best generals--as Russky, the first con-
queror of Galicia; Brussiloff, who now
has broken so splenddly the Austro-
German lines; Yudenich, the conqueror
of Erzerum and Trebizond, in Asia
Minor. and the Grand Duke Nicholas
have recognized the value of this ma
tional voluntary movement of support
10 the army and encouraged 1t by all
means.
Especially Generals Brussiloff and
Russky are popular heroes, because they
take an intimate interest in the welfare
of their men and appreciate the work
done by the nation under the guidance
of the Unions of Zemstvos and town
councils. Brussilof has several times
publicly thanked the Moscow Central
Committee of these unions.
Russian Generals Popular.
Rusky. with his scientific knowledge.
his mastery of language, combined with
great modesty and simplicity, is the
pest type of the new Russian school OF
generals to which belong also Brussi-
loft and Yudenich.
No less admiration has been pro-
voked by the Grand Duke Nicholas,
who at his arrival in the Caucasus ap-
pointed Yudenich TO the command of
the campaign against the Turks, and
whose statesmanlike attitude toward
the population in the Caucasus has
aroused confidence and respect. He
convened in Tifis the representatives
of all nationalities and churches
Greek Orthodox, Catholic. Moslem, Ar
menian. etc.-and declared TO them that
he would treat them with equity and
Justice and without distinction of re-
ligion. He followed Yudenich's army
into the conquered territory TO Erze-
rum, Erie, Athena and Trebizond. Civ
ing the inhabitants. Mussulmans as
we'll as Christians, the right to elect
their town councils. For instance, with
his consent Turkish notable was
elected as the Mayor of Erzerum.
The Mussulman population, which at
the approach of the Russian army had
fed, began to return 20 their homes.
The Grand Duke promised TO the in
habitants that they would be treated
with leniency and no distinction would
be made between Christian and Mus
sulman.
This wise tolerance has gone far to
pacify the conquered Turkish prov
inces and to establish Russian rule.