The Washington herald., 1917-11-09
RUSS UPRISING.
MEANS LARGER
AMERICAN ARMY
Reported Fall of Kerensky
Speeds Plans for Using
More Men.
By TRACEY HAMMOND LEWIS.

BY TRACEY HAMMOND LEWIS.
AS a result of the reported over
throw of the Kerensky regime in
Russia by the Maximalists, definite
plans have been made for an immedi-
ate increase in the size of the Amer
lean army and a speeding up of the
machinery by which our national
military force is being raised.
Under the new arrangements there
will be approximately 100000 men
under arms by June !. instead Of the
10000 which otherwise would have
been turned out from the cantonments
by that date.
The new emergency will result in
virtually all OF the men now in
cluded among the eligibles on the
draft lists being drawn for service
together with many additional men
who would have been exempted under
the original program.
President Takes Counsel
Seldom has any news since the
declaration of war caused such a stir
of activity in the State. War and
Navy Building as did that of the
success OF the Bolshevikis in Russia.
President Wilson held a consulta-
ton with members of his Cabinet
after which other conferences were
held by Secretaries Daniels and Baker
with subordinates of their respective
departments.
While not entirely unexpected. and
as yet not officially confirmed, the
overthrow in Russia has thrown into
sharp relief the magnitude Of the task
which must he assumed by the
United States In its war activities.
While Kerensky remained in control
the allies we're confident that. al
Though Russia couts not be expected
TO take a very prominent part in the
subjrgation OF Germany, she could
at least be counted upon not to with
draw. and by such a course compel
Germany to keep a large military
force on the Russian front.
Separate Peace FntefuI.
At present the Russians are engag-
ing 147 Teutonic divisions in the east.
II the Maximalists have gained con-
troll of Russia. as they maintain. but
which cannot now be stated as an es-
tablished fact. and If they negotiate
a separate peace, as they undoubtedly
will attempt to do, these great hordes
Of German soldiers can be poured into
the Italian and Western fronts. 1t
then will be necessary for the United
States to assume the major portion of
the burden which Russia, by her de-
fcction, would shirk.,
The training of the men now in
camps must be accelerated aud addi-
tional recruits must be prepared to
take their places. When Congress re-
convenes on December IL will be ask
cd to broaden the age limits of those
subject to draft, in order that the task
of obtaining additional increments
may be facilitated. Tentatively the
ages have been fixed as between Is
and SO.
Japan has evinced its readiness to
assist with man power at any time
the allies desire. Additional help might
be given by Brazil IN forming a vast
human reservoir from which units
could be constantly be drawn.
1t was said by an occupant of an
important post in the Quartermas ster
Department that contracts had been
issued for 6,000,0o0 hats, to be de-
livered on or before June l. This is
a sufficient number to equip 3,OOO. 600
men.
Won't Hamper Offensive.
Possible detection by Russia will
not lessen the effectiveness OF the
allies offensive. for the final decision
of the war will not be made on the
Russian front. Its significance, how
ever. lies in the additional food re-
sources it will place at the command
of Germany and the numbers of men
it will release for service elsewhere
than on the eastern battle line.
officers of the Russian Embassy
and the State Department were in
clined to take an optimistic view of
the uprising. They emphasized the
fact that press dispatches indicate
that the revolution is purely local
and does not involve Russia as a
nation. The actions and edicts of the
Bolsheviki leaders represent the sent
iments of radicals in Petrograd, since
the Pan-Russian council of the SOL
diers and workmen's delegates has
not yet been convened.
Petrograd has long been a hotbed of
agitation against Kerensky and the
theater Of pacifist propaganda while
Moscow and the other important
cities apparently have remained stead
fast in their loyalty to Kerensky and
in sympathy with Russia's declared
war aims.
Two lines Of action are open to Ker-
ensky. if he has not been imprisoned.
One is to remain in Petrograd and
resist the uprising there, and the
other is to remove the provisional
capital to Moscow where sentiment is
believed to be favorable to him, and
attempt a reorganization of the pro-
visional government.