New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-11-04
Premier Insists Skobelef
Be Seated at Paris
Conference
Forcing of Issue
May Prove Critical
Soldiers and Workmen's
Man to Ask Revision
of War Aims
By G. w. Gilbert

WASHINGTON, Nov. "a new issue
has arisen between Russia and the Al
lies which is regarded in Russian circles
as possibly critical. 1t concerns the adj
mission of Skobelef, the delegate from
the Soldiers and Workmen's Union to
the coming Paris conference. Within
the last few days Jules Cambon, for the
French. has said that Skobelef would
not be admitted, the ground taken be-
ing apparently that this was a confer
ence Of representatives Of nations and
that SkobelefF was no. the representa-
tive Of a governmental but Of pri-
vate organization.
Now comes word 20 this city that
Kerensky has declared that the Russian
democracy must be represented. which
is taken 70 mean that he will insist
upon the seating in Paris of the rep
resentative of the Russian soldiers and
workmen. The Administration here,
which in general sympathizes with and
supports Kerensky more heartily than do
others Of the Allies, does net sympathize
with him regarding the seating OF Sko-
belief. The position taken is that the
conference should be the Judge of the
qualifications Of its own members.
Terestchenko in Trouble
In the meantime some doubt has
arisen over the two governmental dele
gates from Russia TO the conference.
Terestchenko, within the last few days,
has got into a controversy with the
soldiers and workmen's organization
and has publicly criticised 1t. And II
is supposed here that the issue raised
over Skobeleff has led the radicals 70
object TO Terestchenko and perhaps 70
General AlexiefF as delegates from the
Russian government to the conference.
It will be remembered that Skobelef
was commissioned by the radicals to
present 10 the conference an extreme
definition Of the war aims Of those who
we're fighting Germany, a document
which went so far as TO be acceptable
20 none Of the Allies and not even 20
this country. This programme was dis
evowed by the Russian government,
and the naming of relative conserva-
tives like Terestchenko and Alexieff es
delegates seemed 10 indicate that Rus-
ala had cut herself free from the ex
IRENE socialistic groups. But now
comes Kerensky's support Of this group
10. +, a Fraqtdh
az a part Of the government Of Russia
and admitted 70 the Paris conference
To Force War Aims
Apparently the aim Of the Russian
radicals IS 10 force the Paris conference
20 take I'D the question Of war aims in
detail. This is one thing that the rest
of the Allies are determined not TO do.
And whereas when the Russian revolu-
ton was new q redefnition might have
been forced, the disposition to-day
everywhere. except in this country, IS
TO feel impatient with Russia and to
make il plain that it is possible 70 pay
too much for such support as heren-
skv's recent statement promised. Rus
STA can hardly exact redehnition or
war aims now, and demand for the
seating for that purpose OF a non-oih-
cial representative in an official con-
ference is likely 70 receive scant con-
sideration.
The aim OF the coming conference Is
20 settle questions Of supply rather
than questions Of diplomacy. II is 70
be what Is technically known in mill
tary and naval language as a con-
ference on material. Such a pro-
gramme as SkobeleF has in hand has
n vlaca az -