New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-09-16
Premier Apparently Has
Changed Mind About
"Blood and Iron" Rule
Averts Reign of Terror
Gains in Petrograd Council by
Taking Conciliatory Course
Toward Rebels
By Isaac Don Levine

An agreement between the fussiah
proletariat and the bourgeoisie mas
been reached. This is the only dednc-
ton possible from the cryptic Retro
grad dispatch announcing a settlement
of the political crisis. And if this de-
duction is correct, then Russia has been
saved from reign of terror and a
Socialist dictatorship. =,
It is clear that Kerensky has changed
his opinion about the Kornilof revolt.
Instead of a blood and iron" rule by
a Socialist government, aiming at the
wiping out of all conservative inhu-
ences, such as he had threatened last
week, he is now working for rap
prochement with those conservative
elements. In other words, Kerensky IS
making peace with the forces that sup
ported Korniloff.
1t was this sudden change-about-face
on the part of Kerensky that embit-
tered the Petrograd Council OF WORK
men and Soldiers The Bolsheviki, or
extremists, usually in the minority
Unexpectedly gained considerable ma
jority in the Council.
Gain Due to Cancellation
This gain was undoubtedly due to
the fact that Kerensky adopted con-
ciliatory course toward the rebels. The
Petrograd Socialists, jealous OF the
"conquests of the revolution cannot
but wish that Korniloff and his fol-
lowers be executed for an attempt to
overthrow the original revolution.
However, the Petrograd council is
NO longer the dominating factor in the
Russian proletarian world. 1t was
superseded weeks ago by an executive
committee of 300, representing the
workmen's, soldiers and peasants
council of all Russia. This executive
committee is the supreme organ OF
radical Russia. And in it there are
only fifty representatives Of the
Petrograd council. :.
The fact that Tseretelli, leader of
the Mensheviki, or moderate, Social
lists. took the side of Kerensky at the
Petrograd council is proof that the
Menshivik and the Social Revolution
aries. the party to which Kerenshy be-
longs, are united in the present crisis.
This is important, as both parties are
in an overwhelming majority as COM
pared with the Bolsheviki. Thus, at
the recent Moscow elections, the two
parties polled 60 per cent Of all the
votes. as against per cent by the
Bolsheviki. In Petrograd they polled
together 70 per cent, as against the
extremists - per cent.
Future Hinges on Agreement
There could therefore be no doubt In
the minds OF Kerensky and Tseretelli
that an All-Russian Congress of Work
mems and Soldiers Councils would
overrule the Petrocrad organization.
Although the latter is likely to give
trouble locally. me national bodies
would support the conciljatory policies
of Kerensky.
The chief question now is: How far
did Kerensky GO in his agreement with
the bourgcoisie? On the answer TO
this question depends whether Russia
is to start on a path OF safety or to
continue its Uncertain existence. ke-
rensky may have concluded patched
up peace, such as followed the previous
crises. That would mean only a tenn
porary suspension Of the battle be-
tween the conservative and radical
forces, to be renewed later with great
or vigor On the other hand, it is
possible that the agreement is funda-
mental and farreaching. In that case
a truly national coalition government
would take over the helm of the shaken
Russian ship Of state.