Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-07-30
KERE:NSKY STANDS
AS NEW NAPOLEON
On His Rule of Blood and Iron"
Depends Future of
Russia.
APPARENTLY HE is WINNING
Reverses of Army Considered
Secondary in Importance to
Coming Conference.
APPARENTLY HE is WINNING

LoNDoN. July 29.-The Russian re-
verses on the Galician and Carpathian
fronts which ordinarily would have
created a situation of the utmost grav-
ity are viewed as secondary in Petro-
grad to the great all Russia confer
ence which opens at Moscow on Tues
day. according to advices reaching
here. The outcome of this congress-,
at which every class and race in the
new republic will be represented, holds
decisions of the utmost Importance not
alone to Russia. but to all the allies
One thing is certain. Premier Ke-
rensky is the man on whom all hopes
of pulling Russia through" now are
pinned. He is the new Napoleon" of
blood and iron-the outstanding figure
raised by the war-in the view of every
one OF Europe's diplomats here. and
confidence is felt he will so strengthen
his position through the conference
that he will he ,able to deal with the
freest of hands with the extremists and
other disorganizing influences within
the new state
WILL EXTEND IRON RULE
OF DISCIPLINE TO ARMY
This means that he will extend the
iron rule of discipline into the military
forces and restore that military obe-
dience which is of prime necessity be-
fore successful offensive. or even a
successful stand. c2n be hoped for.
The stern measures already taken IN
putting down the desertions and trea-
son in the army are reported tonight
TO be having their effect
The retreat of the Russian armies
continues on wide front. but it is no
longer the headlons rush that marked
the earlier stages OF the movement.
The stern hand of KorniloT in dealing
with the desertcrs is already beginning
TO bring the soldiers to their senses.
They are commencing to believe that,
even though they don't want to fight.
II is better to take chance against
the enemy rather than be shot down
by their own army
Thus has the first step been accom-
Iplished.t Kerensky is now reported to
have sent hundreds OF Speakers to ad-
dress the troops, to impress upon them
that only through these efforts can
they retain the liberty which the reyo-
luton brought and which SO over
whelmed the soldiers that they. fell
prey to the an.-rchistic and treason
able preachments of extremist orators
some Importance is attached here
to an announcement from Moscow that
the conferences scheduled there be-
tween committees OF the peasants
workmen's and soldiers conferences
have been postponed pending a re
construction Of the government" This
is taken to mean that complete coali-
tion of all the various elements which
nave been working at cross-purposes is
near at hand. and that the government
Will be placed ir frmer position than
ever. The re-entrance of the cadet
party into the Cabinet is looked for.
MERELY a QUESTION
OF LOSING TERRITORY
The German advance is merely a
question of losing territory for the
moment. and Russia can afford to lose
territory. No fear is felt that the
present German offensive will have
any vital effect on the Russian people.
Indeed. the further the Germans ad-
vance on Russian soil the more diff
cult they make their own lines OF
communication and the more men thew
require to protect them. One effect Of
this Will be the forced employment in
the east of soldiers vitality needed by
| the Germans in France
Russia cannot be defeated by inva-
sion. That has been demonstrated be.
fore. in the view of military EXPERTS
here. The onl.' question is: "Wir
kerensky be able to rally the army
SO that it will hold a new line?" And
the belief here. based on the latest
dispatches. is that he already Is ac-
complishing this purpose.
PREMIER I<ERENsKY
AGAIN GOES TO FRONT
PETROGRAD. July 2S (delayed).-
Premier Kerensky has again started
for the front.
The destination of NJ Kerensky Is
army headquarters. where he will hold
| n conference with the commanders on