Evening capital news. (Boise, Idaho) 1901-1927, 1917-05-12
Great Estates Seized and
Divided Among the Poor
Of Russia Without Wait
ing for Government to
Take Action.
HAND OF THE KAISER
SEEN IN AGITATION
B elieved Propagandists
From Germany Largely
Responsible for the Situa-
ton in Russia-Procla-
nation Issued to Army.
by WILLIAM q. SHEPHERD,
United Press Staff Correspond de ut.

Petrograd. May 12.-Anxiety of the
plain people of Russia instantly to
bridge the chasm between the au-
tocracy that was and the democracy
that is to be-without carefully test
ing out the bridge-menaces Russia
today.
THE workmen and Socialists mis-
trust the duma leaders, therefore the
government is powerless and practic-
ally under arrest in its own house."
was the apt summary of the situation
made in the duma yesterday by the
Delegate Shulgin.
The friction between the duma lead
ers and representatives OF the soldiers
and workmen has long been apparent
Today. however, came word of an
equally menacing point of difference.
Russia's peasants are taking things In
their own hands. Pleas by duma re-
personalities sent broadcast through
out Russia to preach the doctrines Of
the new plan of government and to tell
the ignorant peasants to wait for COM
plete organization are apparently fall
ing on deaf ears.
LAND SEIZED BY PEASANTS.
Word received today indicates that
nearly 100000 acres of land have
been seized by the peasants throughout
Russia The peasants could not wait
for the promised breaking up Of vast
estates under pledges that such dis
tribution would come soon after the
constituent assembly had definitely
mapped out Russias future.
Confiscation and distribution of land
nf 10 haa
formally decided upon by vote of popu-
lar assemblies. The movement has be-
come so general throughout the land
that German agents have succeeded in
stirring up great dissatisfaction among
soldiers at the front, by insinuating
that unless the soldiers deserted and
went home to participate in the con-
fiscation, they would lose their share
Numerous assertions have come from
this report.
The Russian workmen, too, are TAX
ing matters into their own hands.
Throughout Russia workmen are plac-
ing representative officers of their or
CARNATIONS with various manufacture
Ing companies and refusing permission
for any shipments without their Off
cial wise.
sued this proclamation to the army:
People who hate Russia are counter
attacking the work of the army,
clamoring for the end Of the war. An
active campaign is progressing against
discipline and obedience.
Don't listen to traitors. Insist that
all ranks observe discipline. Soldiers
at the front, obey your chiefs, whose
duty it Is to punish disobedience Sc
verely."
HAND OF GERMANY SEEN.
Germany's fine hand is seen in the
mushroom growth Of many move
ments. Hundreds of German agents
work in Petrograd alone. The full
weight of Germany's influence is be-
hind the Stockholm socialist confer
ence. The proclamation of the execu-
tive committee of soldiers and work.
men shows realization of the pro- Ger
man tinge now affecting the CONFER
ence." To combat that Germanic in
fluence. the committee decided to take
the initiative itself in any peace moves
and to assume control. If possible, ov-
er the meeting. ousting the German
proponents. The call for the confer
ence specifically condemns q separate
peace plan. but urges general peace, to
be achieved through conference of So
cialists of all belligerent nations