New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-08-05
Russia, Enfeebled,
Yearns for Peace
BY JAMES ODONNELL BENNETT

STOCKHOLM, Aug. , Delayed
az tho Russian revolution is to die i:
shall die with honor
Those words have become the pathetic
rallying cry Of certain Russian revolu-
tionists to whom the revolution from
its inception stood, and now stands, for
more than freedom, peace and democ-
racy for Russia.
Men holding these views talked to
me to-day. They are here in their Off
cial capacities in behalf Of the Rus
sian Workingmen's and Soldiers Com
mittee. and can speak authoritatively
FOR great numbers at home. They and
their colleagues in Petrograd are in
touch by courier. and they do not deny
that at the headquarters both in Petro-
grad and in Stockholm they are feeling
disconsolate concerning the present and
apprehensive concerning the future and
uncertain about everything except the
conviction that compromises would de-
stroy the revolutions larger aspect and
that an unforgivable compromise from
this point of view would be the max
ing of separate peace with Germany.
Their ideal Of what revolution has
10 do was like their hearts Il compre-
hended the whole world. To have il
DO less than they dreamed il would and
could do is, in their opinion, to dis
grace and stultiiy it and turn its pur-
pose away.
Country Nearns for Peace
That they are confronted by that
prospect they admitted in these words:
1--WE know how feeble and disordered
Russia is, and how profoundly her
millions yearn for peace This peace
hunger may prove the bourgeoisie's op-
pOrtunity.
Russia is exhausted and its weary
proletariat, though loving the revolu-
ton, may react to the bourgeoisie and
Mi!iukoff, not because it loves revOlu-
ton less, but peace more. IL may thus
compel separate peace, which the
bourgeoisie would gladly make, but
which the revolution cannot make and
be true TO itself, because the revolution
in its purity means more than freeing
Russia, more than advantage 20 Russia.
It's aim was and remains international
peace and freedom
II must be remembered these men
consider Germany and everybody in it
imperialistic. except clements whom
Haase represents. Therefore, 20 treat
with Germany would be PLAYING into
imperiaiism's hands the world over,
and hence equivalent 10 betraying the
Russian revolution, which, in their
opinion, was 20 be not alone n Russian
wide but worldwide blessing. in
that 10 would strengthen dcmocracy's
hands everywhere.
Arguing thus, they believe all that
can save Russia from separate peace
with Germany is revolution in Ger
many, which they do not expect, or a
successful winter campaign by Russia.
On this last point they said:
"MOurnful a. the thought u.s.. 10 is
nevertheless certain that Russia faces
another campaign in so far as the pres
. cnt Russian government can insure
that PROJECT That campaign the gov
eminent must make or make a separate
peace. II the present revolutionary
government cannot, owing 10 Russia's
exhaustion, launch such "A campaign,
then ITS mission az guardian Of the
Russian revolution in it's purity will
nave failed because II will have been
unable 20 protect revolutionary Russia
from treating with Imperialism.
Result OF Separate Peace
Revolutionary Russia will pass TO
bourgeois reaction. and We believe
Z bourgeois reaction would make sepa-
rate peace. Surprising all this shall
/ happen, we say TO Miliukof: You make
/ your separate peace. You will have
I your peace. but you will have slain the
/ true revolution. You will gain some
/ thing now. but you will have other
revolutions 10 reckon with. because vou