Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-07-09
SENDS MESSAGE TO u. S.
OF MISTAKEN OPTIMISM
Prince Lvo Russian Minister of Interior Declares Coun-
try Is Marching Toward Reconstruction and Stabil-
lty, and That War Is Developing Toward Victory.

PETRoGRAD. July (delayed).-A
stat correspondent OF the Associated
Press was received this morning by
Prince Lvoff. Minister Of tho Interior,
who made statement for the informa-
ton Of America on conditions ut the
Russian front: measures whereby
America can assist In the struggle
against German domination; internal
and diplomatic problems and the In
fluence OF the revolution and war on
world problems.
Prince Lvoff began by declaring his
mistaken optimism that notwithstand-
Ing grave difficulties to be faced, Rus
STA is marching toward reconstruction
and stability, and that the war Is de-
veloping toward victory.
Regarding the war;" continued the
prince, say that the latest action of
our army inspires In mo full hope.
am convinced that the new advance.
even II temporarily stayed. is not An
lshed. but is a prelude to much greater
successes The advance thoroughly
<onfutes the pessimists who una nimous-
~ predicted that an offensive by our
supposed disorganized troops was i'm
possible. From actual intercourse with
delegates from the army. and with
that the offensive spirit is spreading.
This is no gradual reconstruction
of the army. but the first stage Of a
complete process of recreation, which
is almost miraculous, proving, in my
judgment. that the troops are infected
with a genuine revolutionary and cru
sading spirit, and the consciousness of
a mission to save Russia and influence
N o do al
by all progressive men.
GIVES FRANKLY BOTH
GOOD AND Rad SIDE
tNaturally. am aware that not
everything can be done by enthusiasm
give you frankly the good and the
bad side.
THE good side is the armys supply
Of munitions and other necessaries, in
which we are markedly better OFF than
last year; in fact, guaranteed for the
immediate future.
THE bad side is the transport Diff
ficulties, which still are serious These
are an evil heritage from the old re-
gime, and, naturally, It Is Impossible
to restore order in three months crowd
ed with revolutionary activities. Even
with stable political conditions. the.
creation of efficient transport is
problem OF years. Our present hope of
speedy improvement lies with the
Stevens commission (the American com
mission), from which we expect much"
with regard to American help gen.
orally" said the prince, Il lay down no
specific program 1t will be simplest
to say that all conceivable American
aid is wanted in every domain But
the key to the solution OF all our mill
tary and economic difficulties. is trans
port amelioration, in which 1t Is i'm
possible to do too much.
II hope also for further American
financial support. America should note
that we ourselves are ready to bear tho
heaviest monetary sacrifices. and have
already passed more drastic measures
respecting taxation on property than
any of the other belligerents. and are
ready to go much further.
MOST VITAL ECONOMIC
PROBLEM is FOOD
Among our other economic problems
the most vital is food. Here again
the central question is transport. 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