The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-05-15
BY WILLIAM G. SHEPHERD.

Petrograd, May 15.-With free Rus
STA crumbling away in the blaze of a
too fervid flame of democracy, the
executive committee of the soldiers
and workmen's delegates began to see
the peril of the situation.
The committee reconsidered its
vote of last week when coalition in
government with the duma members
was rejected. The vote of % to %
was held 4ndecisive and it was an
nounced a meeting of the entire dele
cation will be held tonight, when the
same question will be passed upon by
ali 1000 representatives of the SOL
dierS and workmen now here.
At the same hour what is left of
the provisional ministry will meet at
the home of Prince Lvoff, premier, to
discuss some form of coalition which
may save Russia from diSintegration.
Meanwhile the provisional leaders as
another last resort measure to obtain
unity of action among the conflicting
elements, dispatched Foreign Minister
Miliukoff to the battle front. His mis-
sion is to meet with the soldiers, to
plead with them to show a united
front to the enemy and to stand firm
for responsible, united governmental
administration at home.
Recently AssaiIed MiIiukoff.
These steps show the seriousness of
the situation and the courage and
zeal with which the duma leaders,
now fully awake to the peril, are
fighting to avert disaster. Miliukoff
was the man who was recently at
tackled by the soldiers and workmen' s
committee in Petrograd for his state
ment approving compacts with the
allies entered into by the old auto
cratic regime. A storm was raised
against him by representatives of the
soldiers Now he goes to the front,
presumably to face his enemies, or at
h n
them back to unity of action.
Today, with Petrograd a buZZing
hive of rumOrS a few of the clearer
heads among the leaders were discuss
ing the possibility that the move which
might save New Russia would be re-
turn, in part at least. to dictatorial
methods despot raised by the people
themselves to exercise control specifi-
caIly lodged with him by the people
The radical newspaper Reich made
the suggestion. Some elements agreed
that a strong man might by force re-
store complete order.
Predicts Fate of Government.
Il am afraid we are returning to
the old regime, where power did not
! carry responsibility-and if so, the
same thing will happen to such an or
! ganization as happened in the ole
regime" was a phrase from speech
by former Minister of War Gutchkof1
I frequently quoted today. The retiring
minister made a declaration in 6
speech yesterday to soldiers and dele
gates from the front, explaining hi:
| resignation.
THE kaiser" he said, "can boast OF
/ having taken four capitals. He car
make such boast and it appears thai
! our lack of success has thrown a gray
| depressing mist before our eyes.
could not continue in office as long az
another organization in Russia beside.
the government was holding the
power.
1.-The present government has re
sponsibility without power-and an.
other organization, power without re
sponsibility.''
Appeal to Fight Germans.
The workmen's and soldiers council
today issued another appeal to tls>
army to fight vigorously against thu