Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-06-24
SAYS RUSSIA SEES NEED
Of CRUSHING GERMANY
Military Head Of Mission Here Elk.
plains Long Period Of Calm
on Eastern Front.

The Russian army has proved to its
own satisfaction the vital necessity of
crushing German militarism. Lieut. Gen.
Vladimir Roop. military head of the
Russian mission. said here yesterday.
The long period of calm on the Rus
sian front. he said caused flrst by ter
rible weather conditions and second by
Illusions that revolution also would
permeate Germany, now is ended. Dis
cipline has been restored, the NUM-
tons supply is once more flowing and
the weather is advantageous for opera
tons
The attention OF the army in the
trenches" the general said. was natural
ly turned aside by the events that were
changing the political organization Of the
country, all the more as these events CO.
inctded with the usual calm OF the Rus
is small wonder that the people. unac-
customed to the freedom they had Just
conquered. could not conceive at once the
necessary interdependence Of freedom and
discipline
'All the more" the general continued.
lis II small wonder. because the peace
full inclination of the Russian people
led them 10 believe that so great an
event as the revolution would be i'm
miately followed by similar revolutions
among our enemies. with q similar
chance in their political organization
resulting in the full overthrow of Ger
man militarism and the refusal OF the
German democracy to continue their
imperialistic war.
Illusions Not Realized.
such ideas eventually lead TO the so-
called determination that has so stirred
the allies and all thinking people in Rus
STA. and which has been most severely re-
buked and criticised by the government
and the great majority Of the nation. Such
illusions did not promote the energetic
activity OF our army. On the contrary.
they inclined Il TO accept an expecting
attitude. But their illusions were not 70.
allied.
Not only We're they received by the
Germans but our enemies even tried to
make profit Of their confidence for the
sake OF their imperialistic aims. II
then became clear that the only way to
attain guarantees Of a lasting world
peace is to crush with arms the Ger
man imperialistic system.
The common sense OF the Russian
soldiers makes them see that they are
strong only If they keep together.
energetically supporting the provi-
sional government in its defense of
because our army. renewed and re-
stored on democratic principles. gives
now to every one full opportunity to
succeed in his military career, inde-
pendently of his former position. origin
or religion. and with regard only to
capabilities"
Only Firm Hand Can Lead.
The provisional government. assimi.
latfng all the interests OF our coun-
try. recognizes that only a firm hand
can lead free Russia the right way.
and is taking all possible measures to
disperse. the Misunderstanding in the
army that have temporarily hindered
her offensive. This is fully indicated
in the appointment as war minister
of Mr.. kerensky. who has often shown
himself to be in favor OF the energetic
and active continuation Of the strug-
gle for universal peace in accordance
with our allies. and strongly denies. as
well as all his colleagues of the coali-
ton ministry. the faintest possibility
of separate peace
Just as energetic a supporter of the
war is the actual commander-in-chief
of the Russian armies. Gen. Brussiloff,
who has frequently remarked to me
that we are now hearing about opera
tions and small offensives of our forces.
His answer to Gen. Robertson was In
honor bound free Russia's armies will
not fail to do their duty"