Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1917-08-24
DISCLOSURES REVEAL GRAVITY
OF SITUATION IN NEW
DEMOCRACY.
WINTER MONTHS MAY
CHECK GERMAN THRUST
Shortage in Food Supply Makes Diff
cult Task Of Bringing Better Dis
c;pIine in Army-TransPortation For
Supplies Must Be Met-Russians Ex-
pect Attack at Riga by Germans.

Washington, Aug. 24.-Disclosures
today emphasized the seriousness OF
three-sided crisis in Russla-military'
economic and political-which, II IS
feared, threatens not only the staoH,ly
Of the Kerensky government but N
wolves the vital question of Russia
defense. Little hope was held OUT
anywhere that Russia would be able to
recover her military power sufficienl!
to be able to conduct a successful de-
fensive against the central powers be-
fore next spring.
THE winter will be Russia's prin-
cipal ally in the coming months al
authority declared.
Russia will lose the use of the Arch
angel railroad at the end Of Septem-
her because of ice in the harbor ana
its approaches.
Shortage In Food Supply.
Fresh and stronger measures have
been taken by the provisional govern
meut to restore discipline in the army
tribunals having been organized 1of
their enforcement.
Inadeduacy Of food supply and us
transportation form the most serious
economic problem, according to the
Russian embassy, where It was de-
clared Russia was suffering from no
shortage of ammunition.
"One of the chief tasks OF the gov
eminent is to establish transport foI
food and supplies" a high Official OF
the embassy. who customarily acts as
its spokesman. asserted. There is &c
lack of munitions"
This official declined, however. TO
make any predictions concerning the
time when Russia's armies may come
back" 1t was frankly admitted that
the Russian troops, on the Riga, Ga
lician, and Roumanian fronts are De-
ing driven back by the Germans, ont
there was no information available
concerning the retreats, except on the
Galician and Roumanian fronts. wnere
they were characterized as strategic
Expect Attack at Riga.
Embassy officials stated that no in
formation had been received relating
to the advance toward Riga except that
announced by the embassy some ten
DAYS ago. when the presence Of German
war craft in the Gulf Of Riga and Ger
man airplanes over Riga itself, was re-
ported The Russian government at
that time, according TO advices to the
embassy, expected a German offensive
against Riga.
Whether Russia would be in posi-
ton to conduct an offensive next
spring was said 10 depend upon mater
ials. The embassy, 1t was stated had
been In communication with the state
department and had not been Informed
of any alarming reports received from
Petrograd Newspaper accounts OF mil
itary disasters come to pass or impend-
ing In Russia were said to be "fantas-
les in the minds of the newspaper men,
At the same time the embassy officials
admitted that they had no now reports
on the mil. .ry situation in Russ.
Supplies Going TO Russia.
There was q disposition on the part
Of embassy officials to avoid saying
anything that would have the appear
ance of criticizing this government for
its delay in furnishing supplies to Rus
STA Discussions satisfactory to Rus
STA, it was declared, were going for
ward, and Russia anticipated no diff
Guilty in obtaining what she needs In
this country. Considerable quantities
of supplies already had gone forward
There continues to be ueasiness here
over the power Of the Kerensky govern
ment, the principal hope OF the allied
nations in Russia, TO continue in con-
troll There s known to be strong op-
position to nm, and it. is believed that
German propaganda III Russia Is aim
ing at his overthrow ir order to in
erase the ccr'neion e:i1 undermine the
cooperating power OF the army.
| The MoscoS meeting. snich Is TO be-
Ell next Saturday, IS expected to cie..
| up me political 81 iasioE, revealing
what parties will support the Kerensny
government