The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-05-07
Washington Welcomes News.

Washington. May 6--Officiai Wash
ington is tensely interested today In
the dispatches from petrograd an
nounctng the converting of the duma
for its f4rst session since tho revolu-
ton within a short time.
State and war department officials
admit that the size of the American
army which Will be thrown into the
European battle front will hang large
ly upon the doings OF the Russian
duma- IT the duma maintains the
confidence of the Russian peasantry
and the soldiers and the provisional
government Is allowed to put through
its determination for no separate
peace, then the United States need
not hasten unduly to send large expe-
ditions to Europe. But II the pro-
sisswnai government fails and 10 ousted,
then the allied countries will look to
the United states for the man-power
to replace that which may be lost by
= separate peace made by Russia
All efforts are being made to speed
up thu departure OF Elihu Root and
the United States commission to Rus
sia. A delegation of Socialists from
the United States Is now on its way
TO Russia, and the administration In
particularly DESTROYS that Mr.. Root
snd his mission be at Petrograd to
interpret properly the attitude Of the
United States toward Russia
Nfvelio Wins Great Battle
London. May e.-waves upon
waves OF reuton storning columns
ware flung into the teeth of the
French steam saw north OF the Aisne
and In the Champagne during the
last twenty -four hours. Shattered
and beaten, they foated back in thin
lines everywhere Those who were
not out to pieces by the hurricane
of shells from the French barrier fro
Ieaped on to grapple the poilus man
to man. They ran into a gruesoms
picket line OF bayonets and sealed
their heroism in death. The day
diers II was the third day to be
crowned by absolute victory.
For not an inch Of the ground con-
uuered by the horixon-blue lines Fri
day and Saturday was wreeted from
ghem. When dusk settled upon the
battlefield General Nivelle was victor
IN tho greatest battle Of the year. on
= front of nearly eighteen miles. An
other thousand prisoners were add ID
to the captures. the total announced
by the day communique being $500.
Tonight France hailed Petain. sa-
vior Of verdun. as the man OF the
hour" who has begun the real de-
fiverance Of the republics soil from
the invader.
His appointment as chief comman-
der of the French troops early last
week was heralded as good omen.
He has surpassed all expectations
Now that the Teutons have once
more exhausted themselves in vain
counter thrusts. he is expected to re-
sumo his drive on Laon. Only twelve
miles now separate Nivelle's troops
from that key point In the linden
burg line. Under Petain's new plan,
Il seems, there is to be no let-up un-
til q decision is reached.
Battle Stiff Rsges.
During the night and today the
battle ragged fiercest near the Scissors
LAon railways, in the region Of
Around Laffaux. north of Freidmont
farm, north OF Braye-an
and to the northeast of Cerny-at all
these points the German high COM
mands threw division after division
into the fray
.'Eyerywhere," says the official
statement from Paris. the enemy's
efforts were broken down and his
forces dispersed. the assault being
thrown back by our fire. or at the
point of the bayonet We have fully
maintained our gains. While the men
In their advanced lines beat off the
German avalanche. the French con-
soiidated their newiy-won terrain.
This, the French official report states
gives evidence that the Germans
suffered sanguinary losses during yes
AArday's fighting as well as In the
counter attacks during the night"
The French now are in possession
Of the larger part OF the range Of