The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-06-09
POOR OLD RUSSIA
Thought Czarism Bad but Finds
MObiSm Worse.
Nothing but Dictator Now Can
Bring Order Out of Chaos.
ann AI0 0unMnr RIM THAT
and NO CHANCE FOR THAT
Business Men Meet and Discuss
Grave Situation.
Soldiers Council Cannot Be
Moved To Get in Fight.
BY WILLIAM G. SHEPHERD.

Petrograd, June PRUSSIA is hang
ing in the balance between czarism
and mobism. America and the allies
must face the facts squarely. Under
present conditions, Russia will not
fight.
Conditions may change There is
a possibility that order may come out
of the governmental chaos. There is
nothing today to indicate its approach.
No man strong enough to control has
yet grasped the Russian helm Min
lister of War Kerensky, on whom hope
has conferred, is, despite ill health
working day and night. But even his
speeches and interviews have within
the past week sounded a note of pes
simism.
a meeting of bankers and business
men today crystallized the first reac-
ton against mob rule. Five hundred
conservative men, unallied with the
autocratic regime, were there. Ad-
mittance was by card only. The meet
ing was held in the offices of a bank
Several of those there were titled
The sense of the meeting was voiced
by speaker in the declaration-"We
We're formerly mastered by czarism /;
now 1t is mobism that masters U.S."
No One Dare be Dictator.
None but a dictator can now re-
store discipline and stir the Russian
troops into a renewed offensive. No
man has yet dared assume the power
The Workmen'S and soldiers council
absolutely dominates the situation
President Tscheidze with his col
leagues are the collective masters of
Russia. They openly declare the
present war is ''imperialistic." All at
tempts to convert them to the idea
That Russia must fight German autoc-
racy to retain the new democracy
here have failed.
They will oppose Russia's fighting
participation until what they term the
allies 1mperialistic" aims are aban-
doned. They insist that publication Of
allied peace aims free from imperial
lstc demands would bring immediate
peace They furnish no explanation
Tor their belief that Germany will
abandon her own imperalistic aims.
Kcrensky About Worn Out.
Minister of War Kerensky's health
is very bad. The magnitude of his
task is plainly wearing down his fight
ing force. A recent speech before the
soldiers and workmen's council on his
return from the front, betrayed this
fact.
1T is very difficult to make the
army strong" he said. because it is
tired and sinister elements are work
ing there. Some regiments have act
ually made peace with Germany. I
hope the soldiers and sailors will prove
that democracy can sacrifice itself to
iron discipline.
L regret that at some places where
l addressed the soldiers, dark forces
began their work Immediately after
my departure.
Russian newspapers today printed
an interview with the war minister,
granted on dining car in the north
west, which also indicated his pes
SimiSm.
Agitators Spread Discomfort.
The people are talking unpleasant
ly about Russia not a little he said
I'VE must remember the weakness OF
the army is an inheritance of the old
regime. l now see some rays of hope
in that there is no more fraterniza-
ton. The construction is progressing
One of the best things in this line is
the formation of volunteer regiments
among the soldiers, called 'battalions
of DEATH who ask to be sent to the
front lines in the event of an advance
But agitators are trying to join these
units to spread discomfort.
THE Russian public has apparently
forgotten the front. 1t is time now
not only to show interest but love fol
the men.