Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-07-24
EVEN KERENSKY
SEEMS HELPLESS
TO RESTORE UNITY
SIyEa y
Given Powers of Dictator by
Soldiers, Workmen's and
Peasants Councils.
ORDERS ALL DESERTERS
TO BE SHOT ON THE SPOT
Eyes of Millions of Soldiers Are
Turned to Prison of Grand
Duke Nicholas.
HE IS LOOKED UPON As SAVIOR
London Hears That Uprising in Pc
trograd Has Been Definitely
Suppressed.

PETROGRAD. July 23.-Russia to-
day stands upon the edge of yawnins
abyss. Kerensky. now dictator. has
ordered all deserters to be shot on the
spot. But from detailed official tel
egram sent to the government from
its commissioners ut the front. 1t seems
evident that at the present rate of
assertions there will not be enough
loyal troops left to form firing squads
The utter disregard OF authority is
spreading fast among the navy Ar
rests of high army and navy officers
are matter of hourly news. Pctro-
grad still is under martial law A
counter-revolution seems imminent.
though one knows who will lead
it. and who will allow itself to be
led in 1t.
The Council Of workmens and Sol.
diers' Delegates, now, allied with the
Council of Peasants Of All Russia. still
domir; tes the situation. but there has
bcen much disaffection among it's
ranks. Scores OF influential leaders
have aligned themselves with the Rol..
shtviki and Leninites.
Even Keteneky Sappshrs. at this,
moment. helpless to restore any do
gree of unity and aggressive spirit at
the front. The eyes of millions OF
soldiers and mouiiks are turned to the
grim prison walls that harbor the
only outstanding military leader III
Russia-Grand Duke Nicholas Nicho.
laievitch. uncle OF the deposed Gear.
KERENSKY DOES NOT 49,,
I1MBODY WAR TO SOLDIERS
He alone, with his iron energy and
with a brilliant military career be-
hind him. Is looked upon by the bulk
of Russia's soldiers as the man capable
Of resuscitating tho offensive spirit.
kerensky. with his inspiring patriot
ism. fearlessness and hamboyant elo.
quence. is worshiped by the masses.
but TO the Muscovite armies. instilled
as they are by rhe traditional devo-
zion and blind obedience to a leader
whose name is linked with victories.
with actual achievements in tho Held
to these armies the young civilian now
at the head Of the state does not en-.
body war and victory.
Not until to-day did the full extent
of the havoc wrought by the red
guards" in the last few days minia.
ture revolts become known. Out Of
the arsenal In the fortress of ST. Pc
ter and st. Paul they had stolen thou-
sands of rifles, revolvers and machine
guns destined for the army. Many cf
the cases broken open had Just como
from America.
Most of these arms have been re-
covered The rebels are being systes
disarmed.
Pitiful scenes took place in the his
toric old fortress prison. while the reh-
al an sl-t-
1t is there that many of the most no.
torious political prisoners are held
Some of them went mad with fear.
They thought an outraged people was
coming to visit terrible revenge upon
them for the graft and treachery Of
czardom's days.
WOMAN BEGs For POISON ~
so SHE NIGHT END 1T ALL
From the one cell came woman,s
whining entreaties to the armed guards
In the corridors. She begged Tor poll
son. so she might end 1t all before the
avengers lynched her. The prisoner
was Nine. soukhomiinoff. wife Of the
former War Minister. whose Official
career was found to be stepped In graft
In another cell the man whose proved <
treachery marked the beginning ot tha
end of imperial Russia-Boris Stuer-
mer. the former Premier-collapsed
from fear and remorse.
The sailors from Kronstadt and the
Bolshiviki. who participated in the
lootinE of arms. made attempts to re-
move all the prisoners to Kronstadt.
1t was plot to bring the hirelings OF
autocracy back to power. or an OUT
growth of the increasing agitation
among certain sections to Introduce
the guillotine into the upheavel which
In so many other respects resembles
the French revolution, is not known.
At any rate. the efforts were frus-
trated by the fortress guards.
Meanwhile. in the Palace prison at
Tsarskoe- -Selo. Nicholas Romanoft, z
while planting potatoes In the garden.
In some mysterious manner heard tho
news of the raid on the ancient fort
ress where he in his time has buried
thousands alive. The deposed Emperor
pleaded first to have representative
nf the local council listen to what no r.
had to say. and second. that his family
be removed to SAFER place" Both 4
requests were denied.