Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1917-06-08

Petrograd, June S.-Russia is hang
ing in the balance between czarism and
mobism. America and the allies must
face the facts squarely. Under present
conditions Russia will not fight.
Conditions may change. There is a
possibility that order may come out of
the governmental chaos. There is moth
ing today to indicate its approach. No
man strong enough to control has yet
grasped the Russian helm. Minister of
War Kerensky, on whom hope has cen
tered, is, despite ill health, working
day and night But even his speeches
and interviews have, within the past
week, sounded note of pessimism.
A meeting of bankers and business
men today crystallized the first reac-
ton against mob rule. Five hundred
conservative men, unallied with the au-
tocratic regime, were there. Admittanee
was by card only The meeting was
held in the offices of bank. Several
of those there were titled. The sense
Of the meeting was voiced by speaker
in the declaration "We were formerly
mastered by czarism, now it is mob
ism that masters us.
Needs Dictator
None but a dictator can now restore
discipline and stir the Russian troops
into a renewed offensive. No man has
vet dared assume the power. The work
mems and soldiers council absolutely
dominates the situation. President
Tscheidze with his colleagues are the
collective masters of Russia They open
ly declare the present war is imper-
ialistic. - All attempts to convert them
to the idea that Russia must fight Ger
man autocracy to retain the new de-
moeracy here have failed.
They will oppose Russia S fighting
participation until what they term the
.''allies' imperialistic aims are aban-
doned. They insist that publication of
allied peace aims free from imperialis-
tic demands would bring immediate
peace. They furnish no explanation for
their belief that Germany will aban-
don her own imperialistic aims.
Minister of War Kerensky 5 health
is very bad. The magnitude of his task
is plainly wearing down his fighting
force. A recent speech before the work
men s and soldiers council on his re-
turn from the front betrayed this fact.
Sinister Elements at Work
cit is very difficult to make the
army strong,' he said, "because it is
tired and sinister elements are work
ing there. Some regiments have aetu-
aliv made peace with Germany. hope
the soldiers and sailors will prove that
democracy can sacrifice itself to iron
discipline.
II regret that at some places where
II addressed the soldiers dark forces
began their work Immediately after my
departure.
Russian newspapers today printed an
interview with the war minister, grant
ed on dining ear in the northwest,
which also indicated his pessimisnn.
"The people are talking unpleasantlyy
about Russia not little,' he said.
TsWe must remember the weakness OF
the army is an inheritance Of the old
regime. / now see some ray of hope IN
that there is no more fraternization.
Reconstruction is progressing One OF
the best things in this line is the for
nation of volunteer regiments among
the soldiers called 'battalions of death.
who asked to be sent to the front lines
in the event of an advance. But agi-
tators are trying to join these units to
spread discomfort.
"The Russian public has apparently
forgotten the front It is time now not
only to show interest, but love for the
men.