The Bridgeport evening farmer. [volume] (Bridgeport, Conn.) 1866-1917, 1917-06-25
RUSSIANS PLAN
TO SPEED UP WAR
FRANCE IS TOLD
Separate Peace Not To Be
Considered, Minister
Reports.

Far1s, June zb-All thoughts that
Russia may conclude separate peace
must be set aside, declared Albert
Thomas, French Minister of NUM-
tons, on his return to Paris Last night
from an extended trip to Russia An
offensive by the Russian army is both
a material and a moral posi- bility to
speculate as to when such a move
ment might. be expected. The mill
tary' organization problems are In the
way of solution and the situation as
regards Russia's financial and eco
nomic difficulties Is improving every
day. Mr.. Thomas declared.
The whole tone of the French Cab
met members talk was optimistic, al
though he did not minimize the diff
culties with which Russia is still con-
fronted
1T return he said, with a feeling
of optimism which believe to be
soundly based. There exists in Rus
STA a dif1cult situation from an in
dustrial and financial viewpoint
"Our friends recognize these great
difficulties, but the two big questions
which occupied US were those of gov
ernmental order and organization and
the military problem" continued Mr..
Thomas, who was associated in his
visit to Russia with other Entente
+, representatives of Socialist and labor
interests. These problems seem
both on the way to solution. The
differences between the Provisional
government and representatives of the
Eoldiers and Workmen have disap7
psered- The government is daily
gaining In authority, and the hour is
coming when it will be able to utilize
that authority advantageously. ~
Cases are arising constantly which
prove that the government now pos
sesses authority which is respected
I The Cabinet includes many capable
men, young and very active, who. in
their daily duties are ably assisting
In establishing this authority. 1t is
being exercised especially In c-,-nec-
ton with the organization of the
army.
There were, It lis useless to deny,
extremely grave moments at times for
the army, because of the Anticipated
and very brutal discipline that had
been enforced and lack of under
standing of the new movement on
the part OF certain number of Of
ficers. rs
To-day, however. the masses COM
prehend the necessity OF q disciplined
army and q firm military organization
for the preservation OF the nations
liberty. and to assure Its pernpanence
IL there is no propaganda today for a
direct offensive as that is conceived in
France, the idea has at least progress
sfvely spread that an offensive would
render the tas.. of maintaining a mill
tary defence more effective.
II found that materially and moral
ly an offensive is possible. / can
not specify the date. II / knew 1t
you can well understand I would not
mention, it. But that an ameliora-
ton of the general situation IN Russia
has set In under the influence of these
shifts Of opinion 1t seems to me to be
indisputable.
That Is why I look at things con-
/ fidently. And since French opinion
has seemed troubled, it should be re-
peated that the thought of any separ-
ate peace must be completely set
aside.
without doubt the Russian peo-
pie reject all thoughts Of struggle
for the brutal conquest of country
against the will OF its population.
They set much STORE by an avoidance
of all suspicion of imperialism, and
IAC ASpOtlc AAriA4Snc0 ny LA6 fbuShleR0
government on this subject concern
ing the agreements which bind Russia
to her allies have contributed greatly
to clearing up the situation"
M. Thomas added that the anrbassa-
doris of the Allies and the Socialist
ENJOYS from Entente countries have
conducted themselves with the great
est tactetn the difficult situation a nd
rendered. eminent services.