New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-10-24
Apathy Marks
Opening of the
Russian Council
Kerensky Is Received With
out a Cheer and Fails to
Rouse Delegates
fSnrriai Correspondcnce1

PETRoGRAD, Oct. 2S.-The opening
of the Provisional Council OF the Rus
sian Republic at Petrograd Saturday
probably satisfied no one. There seemed
10 he an absence of the enthusiasm,
and even anxiety, which might have
been expected. The council met in the
hall OF the Msrinsky Palace. the for
mer meeting place of the State Coun-
Gil.
When the council opened there were
only $50 members present out of BOO
odd which form the council. The Boil
shevik were absent, but they drlfted
in in the middle of Premier kerensky's
speech. They had been meeting at the
Smolny Institute, deciding on the line
of tactics which they would pursue IN
the councils. The papers declare that
Ienine and Zinovieff took part in these
deliberations. @,
Premier Kerensky mounted the trio-
une amid dead silence, and without
arousing single cheer began his
speech. He was looking old and drawn,
and evidently was little agitated AT
his reception.
After declaring the council open he
defined the role of the Provisional Gov
eminent as guardian OF the authority
of the people, which 1t had twice de-
Tended against assaults.
There were three problems before
the council. the Premier declared-de.
fence of the country, restoration OF
the fighting efficiency Of the army ana
increase in industrial production
The success of the enemy in the Gulf
of Riga was due, Kerensky declared,
not to Germany's strength. but to the
weakness of Russia. He paid tribute
20 the sailors, who had faced Zoe
ten times as strong and acquitted
themselves CALAMITY, and went on 70
say he could not say as much lot the
army. whose strength and resistance
was not as great as it might be.
Though Russia desired peace without
annexations. he declared, she would
never submit to violence or the out
raging Of her ideals of right and JUS
tice
one of the best things in Kerensky's
speech was where he declared: Let
the friends and enemies OF Russia be
known. The history of a people can
not be measured by days. Whatever
the trials Of to-day, your friends can
reckon on our cooperation.
The Premier demanded from the
Council. on behalf of the country, the
concentration of energies in putting
down anarchy, which was destroying
the life Of the country.
The food question is getting worse
every dav especially on the front,
shortly to be threatened with cold and
hunger. All the measures taken have
failed. he added, owing to the apathy
of vide masses of the people who do
not realize the responsibilities of the
country and trust in the Provisional
Council 10 restore the economic ana
financial life. Elementary equity must
be established. ne declared, industrial
efficiency raised, and the Fundamental
wal strength of the army restored IN
full measure.
Al the conclusion Of his speech the
Premier called upon Nine. Breshkov-
ekava. wbereupon the old woman of
sevcnty-four-the "Grandmoth OF the
Revolution the tribune. An /
archv. she said was mainly caused by
the fact that the land was held from
the peasants, who could not under
stand liberty without land. Russia, D
he said. must decide this question IN
accordance with the demands OF the
peasants first of all.
The Council then proceeded to elect !
". Avksentieff. former Minister Of the /
Interior, as president.
The scandal which all were expect |
;nc took place when Trotskv, leader OF |
the Bolsheviki, occupied the tribune, !
I'D in violent speech said he had de- |
cided not to take part in the Council. !
He said the object of the Democratic T
Conference had been TO provide
body before which the Provisional
Government would be responsible. But
the Council was only consultative.