New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-09-06

United States would not relax in the
assistance it is planning for the new
democracy despite the critical political,
military and economic situations in
Russia. A governmental crisis is be
lieved TO be approaching in Petrograd,
despite encouraging statements from
the Russian Embassy.
Soldiers Rule Railroads
Whether Kerensky remains in pow
CT is considered problematical. To do
so he must assume dictatorial author
ity and direct his immediate efforts
toward reforming the army, which has
shown symptoms of dissolving. Per-
sons acquainted with the political sit
uation in Russia assert that restora-
ton of the empire is improbable, the
democratic movement having taken
toe firm hold upon the nation, but
that discipline, civil and military,
must be established before the coun-
try can be assured Of any stable gov
eminent
W Nm ICCEIA 10 Il'N army SiNNaNA'i's
the Russian dispatches said that 81
berian railroad trains moving eastward
were crowded with troops weary of the
war and believing it to be practically
over on account Of the revolution and
the overthrow Of the Empire.
There is little abatement of the de-
moralzed condition of transportation
in Siberia. Passenger trains are even
stopped by soldiers, who compel the
engineers TO take the trains where the
soldiers direct. 1t is a common Oc-
currence for trains carrying soldiers
homo TO break down. In such instances
the soldiers stop other trains and have
the engines detached, TO be connected
70 their own coaches.
Petrograd itself was declared to be
full of soldiers, who. despite the great
scarcity of food in that city, managed
70 provide for themselves. The capital
has practically no police system now,
but it was asserted that there was com
pSatively no disorder.
Hordes of soldiers move about freely.
Their particular pastime is 70 ride on
the streetcars. The government com
pels streetcar officials TO transport SOL
diers free.
Famine a Winter Menace
The greatest fear is felt for the west
ern provinces of Russia during the
coming winter. They are practically
without food stores for the cold season.
excepting the territories near Odessa.
Siberia. however, is one OF the most
fertile lands in the world. II suffers no
shortage Of supplies, but utterly lacks
necessary transportation facilities. The
Provisional Government has been able
to move only small quantities Of food
stuffs from Odessa.
II is regarded as possible that unless
relief is afforded Russia through the
improvement of her railroads before the
winter sets in, the armies facing the
Germans will disintegrate, and that
there will be practically no military
operations by Russia before late spring.
Hope is already nearly abandoned that
there is sufficient resistance left in the
Russian troops to prevent the capture
Of Odessa by the Austro-German
troops, which are now fighting for the
great wheat fields OF Moldavia.
II is believed, however, that the ltal-
ian and Anglo-French ofFensives have
restricted the number Of soldiers the
Central Powers can utilize on the east
ern fronts. The slowness OF the Ger
man advances against the Russians is
attributed to the pressure exerted by
the Allies in the West.