New Britain herald., 1917-07-09
OFFENSIVE SPIRIT GROWS
 IN RUSSIA, LVOFF SAYS

ing spirit and the consciousness of a mission to save Russia and influence world events in the direction desired by all progressive men.
 Naturally, I am aware that not everything can be done by enthusi- asm. I give you frankly the good and the bad side. The good side is the armys supply of munitions and other necessa ries, in which we are markedly better off than last year; in fact, guar anteed for the immediate future. The bad side is the transport difficulties, which still are serious. These are an evil heritage from the old regime and, naturally, it is impossible to restore order in three months crowded with revolutionary activities. Even with sta ble political conditions, the creation of efficient transport Is problem of years. Our great hope of speedy inn provement lies with the Stevens Rail- road Commission (the American Com missiOn), from which we expect much"
 American Machinery Desirable.
 Asked whether the United States could improve Russia's own manu- facture of munitions by sending ex- perts Prince Lvoff expressed the opinion it could not declaring the problem of the employment of Amer ican aid in Russian workshops was too complex but adding that Amerl- can munitions machinery was highly desirable.
 with regard to American nelp generally said the Premier, II lay m If simplest to say that all conceivable American aid is wanted in every do- main But the key to the solution of all our military and economic diff1- culties is transport amelioratlon, in which it is impossible to do too much
 "Send my hearty thanks for the American project, the despatch ot the Red Cross mission, as here we have serious defects and deficiencies. I follow the news on this subJect from New York with intense interest, but, having myself ceased to direct Red Cross and sanitary affairs, can only beg America as far as posslple to meet the requests for materlal ana personal help made by our official Red Cross in the consciousness that the triumph of our common cause will De furthered thereby.
 T hope also for further American financial support. I am unable to say what form this will take, pre- sumably a loan. But on this subject, our finance minister, M. Shingaroft, In his discussion with the financial mem bers of the Root commission, no doubt will produce a practical pro- gram, which America can help realize. America should note that we ourselves are ready to bear the heaviest none tary sacrifices and already have passed more drastic measures respecting taxation on property than any of the other belligerent powers, and are ready to go much further.
 Food Great Problem.
 Among our other economic prob- lens the most vital is food. Here again the central question is trans port, and if America helps in this we can do the rest ourselves, as the total stock of food is sufficient for both the army and the civilian population Our winter crops were very good; our Spring crops were injured by droughts, but by the end of July we shall know our exact position, and even if there is an especially bad harvest, which we have no reason to expect, we are abso- lutely secured against hunger for the rest of the year.
 "For next years crops arises the problem of an increase in the amount of agricultural machinery, and we should be grateful if America submits a plan to help in this matter on a comprehensive sCale.'
 Prince Lvoff proceeded to discuss the internal situation, declaring this had marked influence on Russia's ability to carry on the war With vigOr
 "I am glad,' he said, "to see last weeks marked signs of amelioration. Tell America I have daily evidence of the rallNing of all the rational elements of the nation around the coalition cabinet The irrational ele- ments, such as the anarchists and Bolsheviks, are in such minority there is no reason to fear their getting the upper hand. Not only the bour- geoisie but an overwhelming majority of the WOrkingmen are against them Their present eXcesses are merely last desperate reaction against their consciousness of this.
 Mote that, though every week there have been loudly advertised plans to overthrow the government by force, there has not been one attempt to execute the plans made. Further more, I may deny the rumors of re- actionary and revolutionary agitation and threats of Jewish pogroms, of which there is no sign whatever.
 '@On the whole, the nation is satls- fled with the provisional government, because the government, though ham, pered by grave military and d1plo- matic preoccupations, has already sue cessfully carried through internal re- forms which embody the traditional aspirations of Russia's progresSives.