The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1917-09-19
FEAR SEPARATE
PEACE IN RUSSIA
Extremists May Be Helped
by Republic to Open Ne
gOtiations with Foe
KERENSKY EXPECTED
TO EXTEND HIS POWER
New Cabinet, It Is Said, May Assume
Greater Functions Military Situa-
ton Is Greatly Improved, Says the
Embassy in Washington.


WASHINGTON, Sept. 10. While
welcoming the proclamation Of re
public in Russia, officials made no at
tempt TO conceal the feeling that Rus
STA s troubles arc not over.
On the other hand, dispatches to the
Russian embassy indicating that the
military situation unqucstionabv was
improved and that all elements have IN
dorsed the republic were communicated |
TO Administration officials, who were
plainly pleased and relieved.
It was generally accepted that Rus
STA eventually would become republic,
but the action of Premier Kerensky at
this time came as a surprise to officials
and diplomats here.
Ii Is expected that the new Russian
Cabinet Of FIVE, with Kerensky at its
head, will arbitrarily exercise functions
which they would not have dared to eX-
Iercise in the past. From dispatches
which have reached Washington it is
clear that kcrenskv and his associates
will meet less opposition in carrying
out strong policy than by continuing
the old plan of intcrminable readlust-
ments of Cabinet members.
The greatest danger III the Russian
situation, il is held. lies in the attitude
Of the Maximalists, Bolsheviki and 9th
or extreme elements. on which the rev
olutionary government has not been able
/ TO count at any time. One question
which is troubling officials and entente
diplomats is whether in yielding to the
extreme elements Premier Kerensky has
not greatly increased their power and
opened the way for another drive by
them for separate peace.
In view Of this possibility. there was
some discussion III diplomatic circles as
to the wisdom Of temporarily withhold
ing supplies now being diverted from
the other allies and sent to Russia.
II was pointed ont that if Russia
should make a separate peace the gov
. eminent would dispose Of its military
supplies to Germany as an economic ne
/ ccssitv, in addition to selling to Germany
/ great quantities Of foodstuffs and raw
| materials
/ The hopes Of officials and Allied diplo-
4 mats rests in the conservative clements
Il IN the Council of WoTkmen 5 and Sol.
Il dicrs Deputies, who for the moment
Il appear to have been outvoted i. the
Il extremists, and Ill the constitutional
Il Democrats.
Il No confirmation Of the issuing Of the
II decree bv which Russia became 4 re-
II public has vet reached Ambassador
II Bakhmetief1. and for this reason en-
II hassv officials refused to comment on
II it. 1t was apparent that they were ii
II the dark exactly how it could be III
II terprcted.
Il There were unofficial suggestions that
II it might he looked upon either as
II concession to what Russians of impe
II lial leanings would call the more rad
Il zeal elements iii order to assure create
II backing for the new government 4
ii fmore republican viewpoint taken Nv al
II embassy official was that the deere,
II probably meant the crvstallization Of
II the Russian national spirit in a per
II manent form of government.
II It was stated at the embassy tina
II the Korniloff movement now appears t,
II have been finally Q liquidated = withou
II the shedding of blood or opening tn
II battle fronts to the Germans, and ha
II left the kerenskv government stronge
IL than ever.
H Not only did the Russian militar-
II positions not suffer as result of tn
| kornilof revolt, but in the Riga sec
II tor on at least one portion of the line
II Russian troops have pushed back III
" German invaders seven miles. This
. accepted as a justification Of the Pet
- rograd governments action in pIac
t: ing Gen. Alexieff in command Of tn
f: Russian armies, with authority to al.
t: place old commanders, in whom the 50
Il: diers have lost confidence, with ne,
i: officers instructed to restore and main
/: tain military discipline.
/: It was pointed out that Russia is FL
/: filling highly important part in con
+: Ipelling Germany to keep large bodie
/: of troops on the eastern front.
The belief that the republic will wi
t: IN Russia was general among congress
HI ,ann1, rrl1.arL. I