The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-05-19
First Official Act of War Minis
ter Stiffens Nation.
Government Is United in Rejec-
ton Separate Peace.
ROME is ATTIRE WITH JOY
Italian Offensive Is an All-Vic-
torious Progress.
Waves of Germans Are Re-
pulsed on French Front.

Petrograd, May 19.-The provision
al government declared today that 1T
was united in the rejection of a sep
arate peace and that it adopts, as its
aim, the re-establishment Of gen.
eral peace which will not tend either
to domination over other nations or
to the seizure of their national posses
sions-a peace without anneXations or
ind emnities.
New Treaties.
Russia's new coalition government
will insist on revision of all existing
treaties pledging the nation with its
allies and will demand full publicity
and revision of all peace terms and
war aims.
The new government does not insist
on publication of present internal
agreements-that treaties which were
entered into by the old regime in Rus
STA. 1t insists, however. that these old
compacts, with the existing govern
nlent, replace them. These new
agreements, in line with the present
Russian slogan of publicity and no Sc
cret diplomacy, will be made public in
full.
1t was stated today that President
Wilson's aid would be invoked to carry
out this program and second the Rus
sian governments demands on the al
lies for revision of treaties and of
peace terms.
French and British Socialist dele
cations now here announced they
would recommend such steps to their
respective governments.
1.-The revision of peace terms spec
flied above, probably means the new
Russian government desires the allies
to express adherence to the war of
mo forcible anneXations and no con-
tributions. The phrase has been dis
tor ffa6 Inv n o.
incorrect translation, into mo annexa-
tions and no indemnities.'
| Such war aim exactly comedies with
that of Germany.
| The correct translation. and the real
| intent of the Russians, however, is not
in any way in accord with the German
plan. Under the Russian plan Russia
would be justified in demanding d
revocation of the annexation 10y Ger
many of Alsace and Lorraine, unless
! the people of those provinces them
selves voted for such annexation and
of registering disapproval of the levy
| ing of purely punitive indemnities-
such as Germany has levied on Bel
GUM.
| Petrograd, May 19.-It appeared
today that the Lloyd George of Rus
STA" had been found. He is A. F.
Kerensky, minister of war and marine
under the new coalition cabinet, which
is uniting all factions into a har-
monious administration.
On the first day in his new post,
KerenSky'S energy was manifest by
two force1u1 appeals to the people to
fight the right fight. Orders to the
troops and the sailors indicated the
/ new war head would exact implicit
discipline. A speech which he deIiv-
cred to members of the peasants con-
gress was an eloquent plea for "a last
heroic effort
Let US show the world" he urged.
that We not only know how to
| destroy but to create
| Turning from the peasant delegates
to group of soldiers and workmens
delegates present, he admonished:
Il call on you to make a last heroic
effort to hep me show the world that
the Russian army has not demolished
the temple. The restoration of disci-
pline is essential propose to make
1t like iron. 1 am sure to succeed"
Kerensky also announced today he
will shortly go to the front to address
the soldier and spur them to renewed
activity.
A Call to Troops.
Petrograd, May 19.--Issuance of a
| powerful appeal to the army and navy
| to stand firm against the enemy, was
| the first official act of the new min
lister of war and marine, A. F. Keren-
sky, today.
THE countryis endangered,'' he de-
clared. Each must help avert that
| danger. The minister of war and
| marine will refuse any request to re-
sign based on a desire to escape re-
sponsibility at such a grave time.
"Deserters are enjoined to return
to the army and the feet by May %.
| after which date infractions will be
| severely punished
AS if to give weight to the order,
! all generals and troop commanders.
| who have been in Petrograd returned
| to their forces today.
| The government expresses its con-
viction that the Russian army will not
suffer the Germans to destroy Rus
sia's western allies.
Russians Active.
Berlin, May IGNORE active ar
tillery fighting on the Russo alician
front is reported in today's war office
announcement which says the Russian
fire was answered in an energetic
manner by the Germans.
Fighting in Macedonia.
/ London, May 19.-''The enemy
again has heavily CONGRATULATED
our new positions on the Struma front
(Macedonia) but were driven back
with loss" says an official announce
ment today. THE royal naval air SER
vice successfully bombed the airdrome
and camp at Drama"
Hold Key TO Austrian Defenses.
Rome, HAY 19.-The Italians yes
terday reached the crests of>.hill $50
in the Vodice. These positions are
the key to the Austrian defenses north
of Monte Santo.
The New Cabinet.
The government and democratic
parties have agreed to distribute the
portfolios of the new cabinet as fol-
lows:
Premier and minister of interior-Prince
Lvoff.
Minister of foreign NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
+ Commerce and iudustry-konovaloff.
State controller-Godneff, socialist.
Labor-Skobeleff
Justice-Pereveiezeff
Food and pplies-Pieschehonoff, social
list.
War and Enthusiastically