Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-11-03
But Calls 1t Ridiculous to
Say That the Country
Is Out of the
War
fBy Annotated Press.

PETROGRAD, November I'm view
OF reports reaching Pctrograd that the
impression was spreading abroad that
Premier Kerensky discussed the pres
ent condition of the country frankly
to-day with the Associated Press. He
said Russia WAS worn out by the long
say that the country was out Of the
war.
The Premier referred to the years
in which Russia had fought her own
campaigns alone. with no such assist
ance az has been extended TO France
by Great Britain and now by America.
He said he felt help was urgently
needed, and that Russia asked II az
her right. He urged that the United
States give aid. in the form Of money
and supplies. and appealed to the world
not to lose faith in the Russian revolu-
tion.
Russia. NJ. Kerensky added. was taxi
ing an enormous part In the struggle.
and those who said she was out Of 1t
must have short memories.
Russia has fought consistently since
the beginning. She saved France and
England from Disaster early in the
war. She is now worn out by the
strain. and claims as her right that the
allies now take the heaviest part OF
the burden"
Thus Premier Kerensky explained
Russia's position to the correspondent.
The Premier was seated in the library
OF the former private Office OF the En-
peror in the winter pa lace. The corre-
spondent called attention to widely
contradictory reports on Russian con-
ditions. and asked the Premier for
frank statement OF the facts.
ASKED AS TO POSITION
OF RUSSIA IN WAR
EFT has been said by travellers re-
turning from England and elsewhere
to America that opinion among the
people. not officially. but generally. is
that Russia is virtually out OF the
war" It was explained.
us Russia out of the ware" Premier
!-erensky Laughed.
That" ne answered, "is a ridiculous
question. Russia Is taking an enor-
nous part in tho war. One has only to
remember history. Russia began the
war for tho allies. While she was al
ready fighting. England was only pre-
pairing. and America was only OBJ
serving.
Russia at the beginning bore the
whole .brunt of the lighting. thereby
saving Great Brita in and France. Peo-
pie who say she Is out OF the war have
short memories. We have fought since
the beginning. and they must now take
the heaviest part of the burden on their
shoulders.
At present Russian public opinion
is greatly agitated by the question::
Where .s the great British fleet. now
that the German feet is out in the
Baltic""
Russia" the Premier repeated. 'is
worn out. She has been lighting ono
and half years longer than England.
Could an American army be of use II
sent TO Russia?
IMPOSSIBLE FOR AMERICA
TO SEND AN ARMY
"It would be impossible to send one"
said Kercnsky. eft Is a question OF
transport. The difficulties are too
great"
"If America cannot send troops. what
would be the most useful way for her
TO help Russia?" was asked.
Have her send boots. leather. iron
and" the Premier added emphatically.
money"
Premier Kerensky drew attention to
the fact that Russia has fought her
battles alone.
Russia has fought alone-is fight
ing alone" Kerensky said. France
has had everything to help her from
the start, and now America has
come in
The Premier was asked regarding the
morale Of the Russian people and the
Russian army. He answered.:
"rhe masses are worn out economi-
cally. The disorganized state of life
in general has had q psychological
effect on the people. They doubt the
possibility OF the attainment of their
hopes"
What is the lesson to the democ-
racies OF the world of the Russian
revolution?"
This" Premier Kerensky replied,
lis for them to find ont. They must
not lose faith in the Russian revolu-
tion because 1t is not political revo-
luton, but an economic one and a
revolution OF facts. The Russian rcvo-
luton Is only seven months old. No
one has the right to feel disillusioned
about it. 1t will take years to de-
velop.
TOOK FIVE YEARS
FOR FRANCE TO DEVELOP
"In Franco, which is only as large
as three Russian departments (states),
It took five years for their revolution
to develop fully"
Asked what he expected from the
Constituent Assembly, the Premier
said:
The Constituent Assembly begins a
new chapter in the history OF the revo-
luton. It's voice certainly will be the
most important factor In the future of
Russia"
What future do you picture for Rus
sla after the war?"
mo one can draw any real picture
OF the future" Kercnsky SAID. NAT
urally. n man who really loves his
country will hopo for all good things,
but that Is only his viewpoint, which