Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-07-15

learn from the Inscriptions on ono
banner that this regiment is opposed to
annexation or contributions Of any Kind
and, rather less categorically stated, be-
heves in protecting the country from at
tack. The principal point in its consid-
Grafton, however, and in the considera-
ton of every other regiment which has
made a similar demonstration in the past
two months, is its liberty. On every ban
ner the word "svoboda" (liberty) is con-
spicuously large. The housemaid catches
only that Haunting word.
Good heavens" she gasps, there
comes another liberty up the street"
1t occurs to me at once that l have
a new story to tell around Petrograd, a
story which is bound to meet with sue
cess. One needs to have been here since
the revolution to appreciate it, but no
one who has seen the everlasting parades
can fail to enjoy the poor girls bewilder-
ment
In the blank look of her face is con-
centrated the bewilderment which has
come over the peasants of Russia. Yet
this girl has been in Petrograd all
through the revolution She has paraded
a number Of times and she has attended
the meetings OF the newly organized
houseworkers union. She also knows she
is free citizen of Russia, and at odd
moments 1t turns her head so she cannot
bring herself to do her work properly
processes to grasp the fact that she is a
free citizen upsets her. and reducing that
TACT to her own particular life, it means
at times chance to be lazy and to inger
overlong on the boulevard flirting with
one of the countless soldiers and sailors
who also seem to have nothing else to do
but idle by. But in her better moments
she knows she is the same unlettered
peasant girl she was three months ago
and must earn her living and when she
Is In that mood these fifty-seven varieties
OF liberty she sees parading in the streets
rather appal her
In that she is not alone. The average
Russian had no idea before the reyolu-
ton what curious angles and twists could
be given to that simple. beautiful word
liberty. 1t is the ordinary topic of con-
Eersatlon among educated Russians 1t
is really the big story of the day in Rus
STA, and everybody knows it, There is no
use trying to conceal something SO obvi-
ons.
Kerensky's Bitter Words.
Kerensky. now minister of war. put
the situation in bitter words In what,
Jet us hope, was the bitterest hour of
his life. In his speech to the soldier
delegates from the front in congress
assembled at the moment when Clutch
kohl resigned because he could not ex-
ercise his authority, Kerensky, the be-
Ioved or the people, said: sometimes
wish had died two months ago when
was sun sure we knew how to do our
duty without whip behind u.s."
That speech was a flashing in itself
and he was cheered for it. Three days
self
In this situation of slants and angles
and twists. it must not be overlooked
that kerensky by upbraiding the Rus
sian people, by asking them if they
were 'mutinied serfs" or free citizens"
worthy of their liberty, did not thereby
/ IL
nimsen impossible politically. He had
his hour of deep pessimism, and he
spoke freely. But three days later
when ne took his new office, he found
IT IN himself to speak as freely, as
bravely. in the most optimistic of tones
Both moods were understood and ap-
preciated.
This may seem an anomaly as far
away as the United States is concerned
kerensky might even be accused of OPP
portunism. Nothing would be further
from the truth. Both times he spoke
from the heart The quick recovery Of
country and the times. To make this
clear. also to give true picture of the
situation in Russia in these days, l will
outline the conditions existent here
which could send Kerensky's spirits to
the depths, and three days later lift
them brayely UP again. OF course I do
NOT know kerensky's inner thoughts
80 shall have to give my own. And
every person who knows what is hap
pening in this vast country and knows
what 1t means.
II First. ] must present the unpleasant
picture, and, if do unsparingly, my
readers can at least feel sure they
know the worst. For the worst has al
ready gone abroad by cable ! have
famong others sent it myself 1t has
even been officially sent by the Russian
government.
Also these facts are not necessarily
unpleasant. 1t depends on your point
OF view. For instance-the one largest
outsta nding fact in Russia is that there
Is great brawny chap. in soldiers or
sailors uniform. who is opposed to car
rying out the task his uniform refers
10. He exists to the number of mil
lions. and could do many very active
things. but he is not doing them Per-
haps he will be doing them before this
can reach America
If you are of the point of view which
regards the settling OF this war to be
OF paramount Importance, this chaD's
attitude Is very painful Why won't he
tight?
He cannot be accused of cowardice
The Russian soldiers have fought mag
nifcently in this war, always exposed
to greater artillery fire from the en-
envy opposite. but never complaining
accepting death stoically. He is a
good patriot. too In fact, his patriot
ism is broad enough to admit that the
German is also a patriot.