The Knoxville independent. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1894-current, 1917-09-22
Dramatic Revolt of KorniIoff
Against Russian Govern
ment ColIapses.
kERENSKY AGAIN IS VICTOR
Sweden Makes Feeble Reply to Lam
sings Disclosures of Unneutra
Action and He Exposes Conduct
Of Its Former Charge in Mexico.
BY EDWARD w. PICKARD.

Another Of the swift, dramatic cpl
thing the world was unfolded last
week. For several days it seemed that
civil war would be added to the woes
of the struggling young republic, and
then, as suddenly as it appeared, the
storm cloud dissolved and the provi-
sional government emerged apparently
stronger than before.
General Korniloff, commander in
chief, demanded full power, was
promptly removed by Premier Keren-
sky, and marched on Petrograd with
a considerable body of troops. Several
officers having refused the position,
Kerensky himself took the chief COM
mand, the capital was put in condi-
ton Of defense, and loyal troops were
sent out to cut off Korniloff from the
northern fighting line, which is now
considerably east of Riga. The Baltic
fleet, the army in general and most
of the officials FASTENED to assure the
provisional government of their sup
port.
Then came Korniloff's collapse. The
main part of his army consisted of
the so-called Savage division" fierce
Mohammedan troops from the Cauca-
sus and Georgia, who were uniformed
of their destination or Korniloff's aim.
Loyal eoreligionists induced them to
submit to the government on condition
that they be sent back to the Caucasus
and not be compelled to fight against
the Turks. Korniloff thereupon in
formed the government that he was
ready to surrender
Cause of the Revolt.
The conflict really was between the
conservatives and the more radical ele-
ments In Russia. The former hold that
the government has shown itself in
capable of restoring order and effec-
| tiveness because it Is hauled this way
and that by the workmen's and sol
diers committees and has allowed
them to destroy discipline in the army.
Kerensky himself holds the confidence
and trust of all, but he is far from
| being the dictator that he has been
represented as being, and has been too
tender hearted to carry out his own
| bold words as to restoration of the
death penalty and other necessary re-
pressive measures.
This latest revolt, however, has
hardened the premier. He caused or
ordered the arrest of all the leaders
and generals opposed to the provisional
government, suppressed the Novoe
vremya and other newspapers that ia
vored Korniloff, freed imprisoned Boil
sheyikis who promised to combat the
rebels, declared state of war in
Moscow and its environs, and fatty re-
fused to enter into negotiations to
bring about compromise between the
| provisional government and its oppo.
nents.
On Thursday the Russian cabinet
was reconstructed with the Social
/ Democrats in full control, and at the
same time the northern army got into
action and moved back toward Riga
driving in the German advance pa
trolls.
Sweden's Feeble Reply.
Eyes, we did it, but no one asked us
not to-" is, In a sentence, the Swedish
foreign Offices statement in reply t.
Lansing's charges that it had beer
transmitting Germany's messages from
Buenos Aires to Berlin. With this
weak answer neither Argentina MOI
the allies are satisfied, and the Swed
ish nation feels Inundated. There |:
no immediate prospect, however, tina
| Sweden will be forced into the war.
Argentina is clinging precariously t.
her neutrality, for the rage agains
/ Germany is increasing there daily