Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-06-18
RUSSIANS NOW STRONG
FOR IMMEDIATE DRIVE


The Congress of Workmen and Soldiers,
with delegates from all over Russia ap-
peared certain today to sweep away the
national power heretofore assumed by the
purely local Council Of Workmen's and Sol
diers' Deputies in Petrograd.
Most important in this connection is the
fact that at least two Of the leading parties
composing this all-Russian Congress are
violently opposed to discontinuance of the
war and want Russia to fight at once.
The Social. Democratic delegates to the
new organization balloted secretly Saturday
night, 75 to 55, for an offensive by Russia
at once. At the same time the Socialist
Revolutionaries voted 325 to rs for war,
The remaining delegates to the Congress
are virtually without any particular party
affilation but are the so-called "wilds."
They are a unit for war.
In an official debate of members today,
at which more than 500 were present, the
universal sentiment in several speeches
was that Russia should crush Germany and
fight to a finish. One speaker was cheered
when he declared that Germany should be
forced to subscribe to the "no-annexation''
aim of Russia
A separate peace with Germany was not
even mentioned. In private conversation
with the delegates l was unable to find a
single one who would even speak the words
separate peace"
The new congress is representative Of the
whole OF Russia. The Petrograd Council
has only eight votes out OF the $4,000 rep
resented at the meeting.
For this reason 1t seems almost certain
in the view Of observers here, that the
Petrograd Council, which arrogated to it.
self almost national authority, will lose
all its influence.
The congress, II was stated today, will
represent 25, 900, 900 Russian citizens. Il
may appoint a special board TO assist the
provisional Government.
Nicholas Tcheidze, president OF the Petro
grad Council Of WOrkmen's and Soldiers
Deputies, has been elected unanimously
president of the national congress, Tcheidz'
is the leader Of the Socialists in the Duma
Minister Of War Kerensky discarded thC
| pleasant phrases Of oratorcal persuasion to-
day for iron-handed disciplinary measures
to force Russia's troops to fght
He issued orders depriving all deserteri
| from the army of the right to vote anC
| from participation in the distribution o
| Russian lands.
| He overruled a subsidiary branch of
| local council Of Workmen's and Soldiers
Deputies in granting permission to Mint
companies Of soldiers TO leave the front.
He refused to leave a whole division
Of Ukrainian troops who wanted 70 journe!
! back home and attend conference to urg
autonomy for Ukrainia.
He sponsored a government OTueT lSsue'
today making all separate peace agitator
in the army liable TO ten years imprison
ment.
'T hope never hear of such an inclden
again." was Kerensky's short dismissa
of a request from a committee of soldiers
approved by the Workmen's and Soldiers
Council OF the city Of Buigulma for leav
for nine companies Of soldiers Moreover
he ordered immediate arrest of the soldiers
committee
RERENSKY GAINING STRENGTH
That KerenslSy is gaining strength in hi
efforts TO make Russia fight is evidence
by several incidents Of the last few day
The private soldier Steppano, made IA
nous throughout Russia because Kerensk
called him coward" and dismissed hil
from the army because OF his pacihst view
today requested permission from the Mil
lister to re-enlist 20 to the front and d
for Russia. He explaineo mis- former view
were because he didn't understand Ru
sias duty"
Women OF Moscow and Odessa ha'
formed a legion Of death" and apple
formally for permission TO go 10 the fro
and die for Russia II need be-
Evidenclng an increasing antagonis
! toward Germany one Russian newspaper I
day played up" the recent London a
raid as proof Of German inhumanlty'