New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-09-24
Both Accused of Plan to
Crush People Of
Petrograd
Ministry in Peril;
Bolsheviki Aroused
Papers Demand Explana-
tion Of March Toward
Capital


PETROGRAD, Sept. 23.-The Korni-
loft mystery, arising out of the recent
revolt, has developed dimensions which
threaten the existence of the Cabinet,
particularly the position of Premier
Kerensky. The newspapers represent
ing the Left and the Right parties de-
mand an explanation from the govern
ment, while the Bolsheviki organs
openly accuse the Premier, in the
words of the "Nabotchi Poot," OF being
in a conspiracy with Kornilof "to
crush the Petrograd proletariat and the
Workmen's and Soldiers Delegates
with the help of a cavalry corps sent
against Petrograd."
The newspaper asks why, II the pub
lished documents are forged, no denial
has been issued?
Maxim Gorky's paper, "Novaia
Zhizn," which, being unfri?ndly toward
Kerensky, must be taken with reserve,
declares that the affair is causing a
sensation in the ranks CT the govern
ment, and that NJ. Terestchenko, the
Foreign Minister, Yesterday conversed
by telephone with NJ. Kcrensky about
this matter, whereupon Kerensky post
poned his return TO Petrograd. The
newspaper adds that the members Of
the government had decided that NJ.
Kerensky ought to make statement on
the subject.
Explanation Demanded
A more serious indication of trouble
is that the Bolsheviki group in the bu-
reau of the Central Workmen's and
Soldiers Delegates has carried by an
overwhelming majority resolution de-
manding an explanation. The resolu-
tion refers TO revelations concerning
the actions of members and agents OF
the Provisional Government in connec-
tion with the preparation in General
Kornilof's headquarters CT conspir-
acy against the revolution" and con-
tinues:
"The plan was 20 announce an indi
vidual or collective dictatorship, at the
same time declaring Petrograd under
martial law, then mercilesslv TO break
up the Petrograd revolutionary AMI
working class organizations under the
pretext Of crushing an imaginary
BolsheviN plot"
The signatories TO the resolution
demand that the members Of the
Workmen's and Soldiers Delegates,
who we're then Cabinet ministers,
Skobelef Labor, Avskentieff H.
terior), and Tchernef (Agriculture),
make a statement of all the facts
known TO them.
Sensations in Controversy
The controversy over the source Of
the Korniloff rebellion has proved TO be
the sensation of the day. Petrograd
newspapers publish columns of revela-
tions and interviews with the chief
actors in the revolt, and, while much is
inexplicable, it is agreed that negotia-
tions between Premier Kerensky and
General Korniloff for the establishment
of strong government at Petrograd
preceded the rebellion. The march of
General Korniloff's troops on the CAPT
tai is said to have been part Of
scheme.
The "Russkia Volya" says the reve-
lations have made an overwhelming i'm
preston on the members of the govern
ment who were not initiated into the
plan, and that these ministers are
awaiting Premier Kerensky's explana.
tion.
General Savinkoff, ex-Director of the
War Department and later commander
Of the Petrograd troops sent against
General Korniloff. declares that he was
dispatched to General Korniloff by Pre-
mier Kerensky, who had resolved to
proclaim martial law, with mission
to ask the Russian commander in chief
to send TO Petrograd cavalry corps
and the Savage" Division under com
mand of a general other than General
Krymof, who was in bad political re-
pute. General Korniloff broke the
agreement BY sending both Krymof
and the Savage" Division toward the
capital.
The "Rech" says that General Korni-
loft drew up plan for the salvation
Of the country, comprising military
revolutionary courts, the militarization
Of railroads and war workshops and
the restoration of officers disciplinary
powers, which Premier kerensky re-
iected. Nevertheless. Korniloff prom
ised General Savinkof that he would
give full obedience to Kerensky. In
order 10 make possible the proclama-
tion of martial law, General Savinkoff
ordered the dispatch Of cavalry 10 Pet
rograd.
Kerensky's Proposals
Then Vladimir Lvof trrived at army
headquarters. the "Rech" says. with
three alternative proposals from Pre-
mier Kerensky. The first was the res
ignation of Kerensky, the second was
the formation Of a directory within the
Cabinet, with the participation of Ker-
ensky and KornilofF. and the third pro-
vided for the appointment of Korniloff
as dictator.
General Korniloff. the newspaper
says, chose the directory. but VI. Lyoff
falsely announced TO Kerensky that Kor-
nilofF had commissioned him 10 present
sn nltimatum demanding that he be