The circle banner. [volume] (Circle, Mont.) 1914-1939, 1917-11-09
RUSSIA INSISTS
NOT OUT OF WAR
PREMIER kERENsKY FRANKLY
DISCUSSES SITUATION OF
THE COUNTRY.
ASSISTANCE BADLY NEEDED
Russia Is Now Worn Out by Strain
and Claims as Her Right That
Allies Should Bear More
of the War Burden.

Petrograd, Nov. BIN view of thu
reports reaching Petrograd that thu
impression was spreading abroad tina
Russia was virtually out of the war
Premier Kerensky discussed the pres
ent condition of the country frankly
with the Associated Press. He sale
Russia was worn out by the lons
strain, but that it was ridiculous to
say that the country was out of the
war; The premier referred TO the
years in which Russia has fought her
own campaigns alone with no such as
sistance as has been extended to
France by Great Britain and now by
America. He said he felt help was
needed urgently and that Russia asked
it as her right. He urged that the
United States give aid in the form of
money and supplies and appealed to
the world not to lose faith in the Rus
sian revolution. d.
Russia" M. Kerensky added, twas
| taking an enormous part in the strug-
| gle, and those who said she was out
of it must have short memories. Rus
STA has fought constantly since the
beginning. She saved France and Eng
land from disaster early in the war.
She is now worn out by the strain
and claims as her right that the allies
now shoulder the burden"
Thus Premier Kerensky explained
Rrssia's position to the correspond
emf. The premier was seated in the
library of the former private office of
the emperor in the winter palace.
The correspondent called attention
TO widely contradictory reports on
Russia's condition and asked the pre-
mier for a frank statement of the
facts.
"It has been said by travellers re-
turning from England and elsewhere
to America that opinion among the
people, not officially but generally, is
that Russia is virtually out of the
war;" it was explained.
Bore Brunt at Start.
"Is Russia out of the war;" Pre-
mier Kerensky laughed. THAT" he
answered, sis a ridiculous question.
Russia is taking an enormous part in
the war. One has only to remember
the allies. While she was already |
fighting, England was only preparing |
and America was only observing.
Russia at the beginning bore the |
whole brunt of the fighting, thereby |
saving Great Britain and France Peo-
pie who say she is out of the war
have short memories. We have fought
eli no hou
right to claim that the allies
now take the heaviest part of the bur-
den on their shoulders.
"At present Russian public atten-
ton Is greatly agitated by the ques-
ton Where is the great British fleet,
now that the German fleet is out in
the BalticT
Russia" the premier repeated, sis
worn out. She has been fighting one
and a half years longer than Eng
land"
Gould an American army be of use
if sent to Russian"
ut would be impossible to send
one," said Kerensky. at is q ques-
ion of transport. Difficulties are too
great"
eff America cannot send troops,
What would be the most useful way !.
or her to help Russian" was asked. ..
Have her send boots, leather, iron,
md" the premier added emphatically,
money"
Premier Kerensky drew attention to
he fact that Russia has fought her
'attles alone.
Fighting Alone. {
Russia has fought alone-is fight +
ng alone" Kerensky said. France r
las had England to help her from the Q
tart and now America has come in"
The premier was asked regarding
he morale of the Russian people and
he Russian army. He answered:
''The masses have given out econom- r
,ally. The disorganized state of life d
4 general has had a psychological eff n
ect on the people. They doubt the b
of attainment of their G
opes.'
"What is the lesson to the democ-
acies of the world of the Russian rev. |
lution?"
'This," said Premier Kerensky, SIS
)r them to find out. They must not
use faith in the Russian revolution
ecause it is not political revolu- :,
on, but an economic one, and a rev. =
luton of facts. The Russian reyolu- r
on is only seven months old. No 4
ne has the right to feel disilusioned u
bout it. 1t will take years to develop. 8,
'In France, which is only as large "
J three Russian departments (states) m
took five years for their revolution IL
develop fully" lo
Asked what he expected from the
,nstituent assembly, the premier al
i'd: w
'The constituent assembly begins a sc
w chapter In the history of the rev. W
utiOn. It's voice will be the most i'm 81
,rtant factor in the future of Russia" CT
what future do you picture for
ussia after the war;? De
mo one can draw any real picture til
the future" said Kerensky. st