Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-07-15

brought on the Galician reverses came
near to being an exception. 1t pro
wise gave Kerensky one of his spec
tacular opportunities. Sukhomlinoff
was found in the apartment of a friend
and dragged in full uniform to the
duma. The restraint which had mark
ed the taking of most of the oppressors
vanished at the sight of the betrayer
of his country. There was rush to
rend him. Kerensky heard the uproar
and placing himself before the shud
dering and covering figure said dra-
naticaIly:
Every man in Russia is now to have a
fair trial. l shall be responsible for Suk-
homlinoff. If you kill him. you must kill
me first
1t was the first enunciation OF the new
rule of Justice. and it prevailed. Suk
homlinoff was stripped of his epaulettes
and led Off to join his colleagues OF au-
tocracy in the dungeon of the old fortress
of Saints Peter and Paul. whose guns
even then were sounding the requiem of
the monarchial power.
How kerensky survived those STilling
weeks was a miracle. His none too ro-
bust constitution was subjected to we'll
nigh incredible strain Day and night he
was in almost continuous conference =
pleading, debating. arguing. His old
radical coworkers charged him with mod
GRAFTON. When he rose to speak in the
public assemblies he was frequently the
target Of bitter verbal attack. When he
went forth in the streets his life was in
constant danger He lived on his nerves.
Only his indomitabie will kept him going.
How did he achieve his ultimate and
compelling triumph over all obstacles? In
the answer is his first kinship with Lloyd
George 1t lies in an oratory that is per-
hans his greatest gift. Like the wizard
Welsh,nan who has stood so often in
Rritain's breach. he speaks with an
emotion that becomes a sweeping food of
passion He lacks the Lloyd George brill
of INA. and E. I.IS n
the poetry and vision which are the birth
right of "I:ngland's darling" But he
has a personal appeal that is we!l-ntgh
irresistible. 1t is convincing because 1t is
sincere.
Linked with this sincerity is an iron
courage. During the whole period OF
riotous upheaval when the new govern
ment was shaping and when Petrograd,
intoxicated with its new liberty. had
swung from one extreme to another, he
risked everything for his convictions. He
bearded his defiers whatever the cost.
When his one time associates, now en-
throned in the council of workmen's and
soldiers delegates. accused him of dis
loyalty. he went straight to their midst
and defended himself.
With that fine sense OF the dramatic
which he shares with Lloyd George, he
suddenly appeared in the assembly cham
Der. His coming had been unheralded. AS
he entered the room his name had just
been uttered with derision and almost
contempt By one of his socialtstlc critics.
He strobe swiftly down the aisle to the
rostru!n and faced the crowd Instantly
there was silence. His pailid face was
whittier than usual. but his eyes flashed
with fire He looked about him for mo-
rent and then began what was in many
respects one of his creates speeches. Ger
tainIy 1t was one of his most C.laracteris-
tic. He went straight to the point. In
ringing tones he said:
Il have heard that rumors have been
active among you to the effect that I
am beginning to weaken in my at
to the cars family. l have heard that
there are some among you who dare to
mistrust me- I warn all that I will not
permit the man VINO says this to show
distrust of me, and in my person to
insult the Russian democracy. l ask
you either to exclude me from your
midst or to place your implicit trust in
me- ! shall work for your welfare so
long as / retain your trust and SO long
az all frank with me. But people
have appeared who desire to SOW the
seeds of disunion among us. Remem-
Der that. in the name of national duty.
we must all work together. and If you
wish, l will work with you. If you
wish otherwise-I will go away. 1 want
to know, do you believe in me or do you
not?"
There could only be one response to
such an appeal superb ovation that
literally swept the speaker Xff his feet.