Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1917-09-12

WASHINGTON. Sept. 1.-THE
Russian situation remains grave. APP
parently the chasm of discord has so
widened that either NJ. Kerensky.
head OF the provisional government,
or General Korniloff. the deposed
commander in chief OF the armies.
who Is apposing Kerensky and who de-
mands almost dictatorlal powers, will
be engulfed
Neither side seems willing to make
concessions. Kerensky is bending all
his energies toward the suppression
of the turmoil created by Korniloff
and his followers, while Korniloff is
reported to be approaching Petrograd
with troops to besiege the capitol.
Kerenskys adherents are tearing up
the railroad lines and otherwise are
preparing to resist.
Situation Up I'm Air.
Wether Russia faces anarchy and
a reign of terror as the fruit of Cen
eral Korniloff's revolt against Pre-
mier Kerensky's provisional govern
ment depends largely, in the opinion
of officials and diplomats here. on
the speed with which the situation
develops.
II the deposed commander-in-ch chief
now reported marching on Petrograd
with troops personally loyal TO him,
makes n spectacular show OF strength
within the next few days 1t Is be-
leved strong political influences now
secretly wavering In allegiance to the
government may swing over. give him
a preponderance of authority and
pave the way for a powerful dicta-
torshp.
II Premier Kerensky on the other
hand is able to hold fast to the sup
port Of enough of the various politi-
cal groups on whose attitude the
pends he may crush the revolt
quickly, adopt some OF the strict
disciplinary rules advocated by the
Korniloff element and weld the
democratic forces into "a stronger in
strument to fight Germany.
Either Would BE Relief.
The complete ascendancy Of either
Kerensky or Korniloff would satisfy
most persons here most Interested
in Russia's well being. 1t is the
middle situation. the conflict which
would make Russians kill Russians
which they fear and which, judging
by today's unofficial dispatches.
seems entirely possible. Civil war
then might lead to either separate
peace with Germany or restoration
of the monarchy with its inevitable
train of evil consequences.
Out of the haze of the Russian
situation, as reported unofficially
today, officials developed the i'm
preston that the provisional govern
ment probably could count on the
support of the navy, a large part
OF the army. particularly in the in
terror, railway employees and indus
trial workers
/ Korniloff probably expects the
backing of a strong element of mill
tary leaders. duma members, the
intellectual classes, the Cossacks and
other considerable professional fight
ing elements of the army In tddi-
ton II is probable he would be
openly supported by the commercial
interests and the social democratic
political group as soon as he shows
strength.
kcrcnsky Has Upper Hand
Premier Kerensky's source of
strength. however, includes the usual
advantage OF government authority to
arrest and deal out immediate punish
ment to violators OF It's orders and the
extensive System of government repre-
sentatives among the troops at the
front. Thru the channels OF these
commissioners 1t is likely that the
government already has disseminated
information calculated TO retain the
soldiers loyalty
Another situation which may render
difficult Korniloff's attempt to march
on Petrograd and seize Russia rule
by force Is that the armies have be-
come so democratized they can easily
conduct negotiations without recourse
TO their commanders and they may
refuse to fire on their hrothers-in-
arms when the time comes for meeting
of troops representing the opposing
elements. Opinion here is divided as
to whether a passage of the crisis will
lead 10 u united and strengthened Rus
sia Considerable concern is felt over
the repeated charges of leaders in tho
revolt that the composite kerensky
ministry contains pro-German sym
pathizers or radicals whose ideals lead
them unwittingly to advocate German
peace terms.