New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-08-25
Lansing Says He Knows of
No Military or Politi-
cal Crisis
Will Aid Kerensky
At Moscow Council
Department of State Ends
Rumors Regarding Menace
to New Democracy
By c. w. Gilbert

) ASHlNG VI lON, aug. a. ne OHASeu
/ States government will advance an
other sl00,000,0O0 TO Russia. This an
rouncement will strengthen the Keren-
sky government at the Extraordinary
| National Council" about to be held at
! Moscow. Probably the Kerensky gov
ernment wanted the loan at this time
/ for that purpose. And probably that
was the reason the United States was
told Russia could not 60 on unless aid
was extended to her at once.
The Russian crisis, SO far as can be
judged from here, appears to have been
made up of this insistence by Russia,
the mystery of the Moscow conference
and the coincidence of a German drive
] toward Riga. These factors, with the
/ silence of the State Department, and
| perhaps some counter claim of other
Allies, account for the wild rumors of
the last few days.
Secretary Lansing ended the mystery
to-day as he ought to have ended 1t
two or three days ago, by announcing
that the United States knew of no
crisis in Russia, either military or po-
: litical. IL had no knowledge that Riga
had fallen, and II il had it made little
difference.
"You know" said Mr.. Lansing, that
/ Riga has been evacuated five times al
ready" As for the Provisional Govern
ment, he said, 81 feel that it is strong
er than ever, in both a political and
military way"
Confidence Based on knowledge
This confidence, he said, was not
/ based upon any recent dispatches, but
upon a general knowledge of the situa-
tion. He added that the recommen-
dations of the Root mission we're now
being carried into effect.
He attached no Importance to re.
ports that change OF the capital from
Petrograd to Moscow was under dis
cussion. The change had been talked
of before, he explained, on the ground
that Moscow is more a centre of
Russian life than Petrograd. General
Scott, who was member OF the Root
] m mission, said that the loss Of Petrograd
would be nothing more than a slight
strategical loss.
Apparently the reasons why shift
from Petrograd to Moscow is being
debated are not military at all. but po-
| litical. The more conservative ele-
ments in Russia want the change made
| to escape from the radical influence
| in Petrograd. II is felt that govern
ment at Moscow would be more stable.
| less subject TO mob suasion, and less
| likely TO be affected by German
agencies.
! Ii is even said by some persons here
| that the loss OF Riga and Petrograd to
| Germany would be TO the advantage of
| the Provisional Government, for il
would put the radical and pro-German
! elements in the hands of Germany. and
! leave a more homogeneous people with
a stronger sense of nationality to the
Provisional government.
Advantage in Greater Frankness
After all the wild stories about
crisis that have been permitted to 90
uncontradicted for several days, the
foregoing sounds somewhat like en-
forced optimism. But | believe it is
not that, but a true view of what the
situation has been right along. Greater
frankness with regard TO il would have
been TO the general advantage. and
there seems 20 have been no reason for
concealment unless there was some dis
pute over the exact extent TO which the
United States should come to the aid
of Russia.
There is reason to believe that some
OF the other Allies pressed their claims
as of more immediate consequence than
those of Russia, on the ground that
Russia could not in any event be quick
w rehabilitated. Russia's claims won.
especially in view of the shortness Of
the time before cold closed the port of
Archargcl
On this question OF the relative needs
of the Allies this country will have 70
have its own policy ard form its own
judgment without regard 70 the will
Of some Of its more important Allied
advisers. In this matter it will have
to be the predominant partner. as il
will ultimately be in questions OF diplo-
macy and Of strategy. The settlement
of this question Of immediate supplies
in favor Of Russia is sign that this
time Of predominance is approaching.
OF Great Diplomatic Importance
Russia will probably never be of
military Importance to the Allies dur
ing this war. But she is of great dip
lomatic and sentimental Importance
The biggest thing this country has
done for the Allies cause is its en-
barge. The force OF that would be lost
il Russia should fall largely into the
hands OF Germany or make a separate
peace.
Moreover, what could be said for
war for democracy which let this latest
and most promising democracy in the
world perish for lack of economic sup
port7
On questions like these this country
takes a cooler and broader view than
any of the Allies pressed with the i'm
mediate military problems Of the West
front are likely TO take. The United
States has assumed the task Of support
ing the new democracy and the crisis
whatever it,was. is at an end.