New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-08-30
Kerensky Stemming
Rise of Elemental
Forces in Russia
By Isaac Don Levine

TIME extraordinary national council
now in session in Moscow IS
Kerensky's last effort to save
Russia for socialism. Kerensky, the
moderate Socialist, saw a month ago,
during the debscle at the front, the
rise of mighty counter revolutionary
tide He saw il sweep away all the
accomplishments of Russian socialism,
and he resolved TO stem this elemental
force by directing it into a clear
shaped channel.
The Moscow council is the channel
for the expression of the mighty ma
tionsl spirit aroused by the military
disasters caused by the Maximalists
and pro-German agents. At the same
time, il is the only organ in Russia to-
day able to control that elemental pa
triotism which it represents. 1t is a
conservative BODY, and it was called to
life by Kerensky when he observed
that the radical Council of Workmen
and Soldiers was being destroyed by
invisible forces. He sought to give
form to the latter elements by creating
the Moscow council, and he succeeded.
To-day Russia is sharply divided.
The proletariat and the bourgeoisie
face each other. Each Of them stands
for definite things.
The Council of Workmen and Sol
diers sees and knows its enemy. A
month ago IL YVES threatened by igno-
minious extinction. To-day it can bar
gain with its opponent, fight it and ne
gotiste with il.
The Petrograd council has long said
it's word. The turn is now for the
| Moscow council. The former repre-
sents internationalism. The second
nstionalism. The former stands for
| Socialism; the second for political
democracy only. The former SYM
bolizes theoretical experiments in poll
tics and economies; the latter embodies
practical experience and we'll tried
| methods.
What the Petrogrsd council stands
for it has for nearly six months en-
deavored to apply and enact in Rus
STA. What the Moscow council repre-
sents it is now endeavoring to speak
out. Plainly and unmistakably, the
Moscow council is challenge to
doctrinsire government 1t Is chal-
lenge to Socislistic experiments, TO
Utopian military organization, to revo-
lutionary economic laws, TO inexperi-
enced diplomacy, TO premature social
reform.
The Moscow council may dissolve,
but il cannot die. 1t will come back
again in another form. IL comprises
the consolidated business experience Of
the nation. 1t is genuinely patriotic.
II is increasing its popular following
daily II apDeals 20 the primitive
LOYALTY of the masses. It appeals 20
the religious instincts Of the semi
civilized mouiik. Industry and COM
merce are or its side.
Il is force 70 be reckoned with in
the future. Kerensky knows il. He
knows that only immediate peace or a
great military victory can save Rus
sia's socialistic government and its &C
complishments. He knows that the
Petrograd council is doomed if il sticks
70 its internationalism. The Petrograd
council knows it, too. So Kerensky and
the revolutionary Council Of Workmen
and Soldiers, TO save the socialistic re-
CINE, are willing to meet half way the
Moscow body.
But Is such a compromise possible
What will be the demands Of the bour-
geoise? Will il be possible for the
proletariat TO meet them without re-
pudiating itself? The Moscow council
has not formulated it's concrete de-
mands vet. When this is done the
world will know if Kerensky, who has
himself outgrown the limits Of his
party, would be able to save Russian
Socialism from the counter revolution