Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1917-05-08
SITUATION IS
WELL IN HAND. SAYS
FOREIGN SECRETARY
MiIiukOff Makes Interesting
Statement Regarding Recent
Crisis in New Republican,
Meetings for Two Days
By WILLIAM @. SHEPHERD.

r
the American people the Russian stu
alton IS we'll in hand"
This was the statement made TO mo
today by Foreign Minister Miliukoff.
The man who within the past two
days has held the fate OF the new
Russia in his hands. meeting vita
stubborn opposition and triumphing
only a few hours after closing an all
night session with representatives of
the recalcitrant factions.
He expressed the belief that German
influences caused Thursdays outbreaks
in the Russian capital
There were dark forces behind the
demonstrations against the govern
ment." Miliukoff declared. II believe
they were German influences such as
YOU have experienced in America. There
was no conflict between this govern
ment's first and second notes to the
allies"
TIE foreign minister revealed i'm this
exclusive interview granted me the ma
ture Of the pact existing between Rus
STA and the allied powers.
Il VIII not tell you they coincide with
all democratic plans OF all democratic
peoples" he said.
They include plans for creating new
national borders adjusting the map OF
Europe on a basis OF nationalties and
races and laying the foundation for
lasting peace
1t was the approval OF this pact by
the new government without consulta-
ton with representatives of the work
men and soldiers that led TO the trouble
OF the past two days.
Foreign Minister Miliukof impressed
upon me however that the actual de-
tails of the agreement existing between
the allies were not his TO reveal II
is true the agreement was first APP
proved bv the car as head of the old
autocratic government.
But he declared they were not the
cars secret alone and could not he
published without the consent of the
allied mowers
CAUSE OF TROUBLE
The whole trouble. when riotous
crowds thronged the streets of Petro-
grad. was due to the two notes which
Foreign Minister AIiliukoh sent to the
allies.
The first was sent Immediately after
the revolution and the abdication of
Car Nicholas. 1t declared Russia was
seeking only to defend it's own territory.
without thoughts of indemnity or terri
torial conquest. The second note was
dispatched MAY 1. 1t pledged adherence
to the contracts OF the allies.
The workmen's and soldiers commit
tee demanded TO know whether the con-
tracts entered into by the car were
compatible with the first note. II so,
they demanded to know whether the
minister should send a third note, de-
ciaring than the czars agreements were
compatible with the provisional gov
ernments aims.
hot nj ~d tHroG
impossible. But he compromised by
issuing a statement declaring there was
no conflict between the first and second
notes to the allies.
Il spent the night explaining TO the
workmen's and soldiers committee"
he told me. that it was impossible for
the ministry to make public secret
treaties-treaties that were not Russian
property alone. but belonged TO our
allies. too. l told them it would be
impossible to publish them
The workmen's and soldiers commit
tee was distrustful. 1t believed that
the various contracts implied spirit
Of imperialism among the various al
lies.
As an Indication of the spirit in.
which his attitude Is taken by some
members of the committee, Shapiro.
member of that body, told me he be-
Iieved MiIiukoff was suddenly become
a typical European diplomat. instead of
remaining democratic.
WITHHOLDS SECRET
The foreign minister. whose powerful
appeal to the riotiug people had chang
ed their cries of down with Miliukoff"
10 down with Germany" received me
after a night i'm which his words had
perhaps changed the whole aspect of
Il Il
sension which would probably have led
to Russia's separation from the allies
in this critical hour of world history.
He was still strong. vigorous and de-
termined. With regard to the secret
treaties between Russia and the other
allies. 1 said:
Through your position as foreign
minister you have learned what these
secret arrangements between the allied
powers really were. Can you say wheth-
CT you consider these treaties undemo-
cratic and evil"
These arrangements were not made
by the car and the government which
has been overthrown," he replied. They
were made by the allies-Oy Great
Britain. France and the others-snd the
car accepted them.
IF they had been the deposed cZar's
property, and the cars secret alone /
might make them public. But they be-
long to our allies, and l cannot give
them TO the people without the allies
consent"
Have you asked the allies permits
sion to make public these contracts"
/ asked.
mo, il is unnecessary to do So" the
foreign minister answered.
But ] will tell you they coincide with
all the democratic plans of the demo-
cratic peoples o fthe earth for creating
new national borders and adjusting the
map of Europe on the basis Of nation
alities and races, thus laying sound
foundation for lasting peace"
He paused a moment, then leaned for
ward over his desk and said:
You may tell the American people
the Russian situation is well in hand.
We are particularly pleased TO have
President Wilson, after declaring there
could be a peace without fighting. come
to our decision that true peace could be
obtained only through a struggle"
All Meetings Barred in
Dbl r.