Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-05-05
MILUKOFF DRAWS
CHEERS BY HIS
ADDRESS DURING
DEMONSTRATION

Petrograd, May 4.-(Via London) DEM
onstrations by soldiers and workmen
against Foreign Minister Milukoff oc-
CURED yesterday. Detachments of soldiers
gathered in front of the headquarters of
the provisional government carrying red
flags with inscriptions demanding the res
ignation of the minister. and paraders
carried similar bannersI SONG of which
called for the resignation Of the pro-
yisional government.
After extended conferences between the
executive committee of the workmen' S
and soldiers delegates and the council of
the provisional government, the execu-
tive council decided that no reason was
apparent for demanding the designations
of the government. The soldiers engaged
in the demonstrations were persuaded by
the committee to return to their barracks.
When Foreign Minister Milukoff saw the
banners inscribed with the words Down
with Milukoff.' he addressed the demon
strators from the balcony Of the palace,
saying he was fearful not for Milukoff
but for Russia If the inscription inter-
preted the feelings of a majority of the
citizens, he asked what must be the con-
dition of Russia. The Entente Allies
would say Russia had betrayed her allies
and had struck her name from the list
if the allied powers.
The provisional government cannot ac.
cept that view of things" continued NJ
Milukoff. Il declare to you that the pro-
visional government and myself, as min
lister of foreign affairs, will defend a po-
sition in which no one will dare to charge
Russia with treason.
Never shall Russia consent to a sep
arate peace!
The provisional government is a sail
ing vessel which can only move with
the help Of the wind. We look, then,
for your trust, which is the wind that
is to make our ship go forward. 1
hope you will supply US with that
breeze, and that your confidence win
aid US in propelling Russia towards lib
erty and prosperity and in unfolding
the dignity Of our great free country"
The words of the foreign minister
evoked hearty cheering.
Discomfort has been smouldering for
some time on account of the belief that
the minister was not fully in sympathy
with the viewpoint of the workmen and
soldiers The present outbreak, which
began yesterday, was a direct result of
the announcement made by the foreign
office to the allied nations to the effect
that Russian would not slacken her eff
fort in the common struggle against
the Central Powers and would observe
strictly her engagements with her AL
lies. The workmen and soldiers declare
that they should have been consulted
before this communication was sent
All yesterday afternoon crowds gath
cred in groups in the public squares,
listening to the exhortations of i'm
promptu orators. Workmen on leaving
the factories in the evening paraded
the streets carrying red flags.
At meeting Of the council of SOL
diers and workmen's delegates, the for
nation of a coalition cabinet was fav-
ored. Later the executive committee
of the council attended a meeting Of
the council of the provisional govern
ment.
There also were demonstrate last
evening in favor of the government.
NJ. RodZianko, president of the Duma,
exhorted the people to continue the
war until the attainment Of victory
worth of the Russian people. -.
Some of the banners carried by the
paraders were inscribed, Down with
Guchkoff," Che minister of war;, and
Down with the provisional govern
ment"
The executive committee of the
workmen's and soldiers delegates dis
cussed NJ. Milukoff's note to the AL
lies all of Wednesday night and adj
journed at daybreak yesterday with
out reaching a decision. Later in the
day the committee sat in special ses-
sion with the council of the provis-
ional government for a discussion OF