Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-12-29
COMPLETE. CHAOS
Continued from Page One)

a separate peace. Such a peace cannot
he concluded if the allies promptly
give their help and suggestions.
1.-The MaXimalists now in control are
much stronger than is generally cred
tied. In any future reorganizatiOns or
attempts at stable government the
Maximalists must be considered and
handled rightly.
The chaos is most evident in the
manufactures and railway shops
where the Workmen's and Soldiers
Delegates are in absolute control. They
work or not as they please and every
where may be seen workmen loating.
Women are doing much of the work
in the shops, along the railway tracks
and in the field, and even acting as
brakemen. Where one oma is work
ing. 500 men are lOafins.
"a hundred thousand soldiers are
crowding the stations. attempting the
management of the trains n sup
porting themselves on a small daily al
lowance to which they add by thievery
and smuggling.
Industries 80 Per Cent. Effective
The railways and all other indus
tries are operating at only 80 per cent
OF their effective power Food is plen-
ty, but is not being distributed. The
peasants are holding a three-years
stock of wheat and other staples, but
refuse to sell because the ruble has
greatly deprecated in value and is re-
garded by them with suspicion.
The government evidently is unable
to commander food and a amino
threatens, for whoch the peasants are
responsible. There also is q coa fam
inc and the production is only one
third of the normal because the miners
are refusing to work.
AT Nladivostok the stores of all
kinds are carefully guarded. The port
authorities have erected large ware
houses and there is not much deterior-
alton III the supplies. The Bolsheviki
are in possession and the soldiers
maintain order, but laborers are I'M
easy at the prospect hat the continu-
alton Of the good conditions is uncer-
tain.
siberia is not so much disturbed as
Russia and II is the peoples desire to
support any government appearing to be
stable. The uncertainty in Russia rests
IN the vast preponderance of the 100, oO, 0N
persons in the peasant class. If Germany
Is allowed to finance and advise them the
situation is lost"
Mr.. Stevens said tina everywhere he
found the people well disposed toward
America. Even when soldiers stopped his
special car and entered it they apollo
gized and withdrew on learning that the
passengers were Americans. Inc Ameri-
can influence Is strong and possibly
stronger than that Of the other allies. and
he thinks it now should be exerted to
the utmost out the application of phys
ical force in any degree is not advisable.
In conclusion Mr.. Stevens said:
mot for a moment should the Allies
relax their sympathy ana help. but on the
contrary should quadruple their efforts.
The best sentiment in Russia is with US,
but the question is how to give in such
a manner as to maintain the sympathy OF
the intelligent classes and offset the Ger
man influence. We should earnestly beg
the Allies not to punish the Russian peo-
Pile. who love their country, nor to abap-
don them to the Germans.
I'VE are going back and will stay there
as long as we can be of any assistance to
the Russian people