Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1917-08-24
CIVIL WAR in
RUSSIA LOOMS
UP AS DANGER
------
With Petrograd Menaced,
Revolutionary Regime
is Divided.
Drive Against Riga Now
Seen to be Aimed at the
Capital.

now threatening P~etrograd, the capital,
is watched by officials here with grave
concern. It became known yesterday
that official ladvtces are closely In ac-
cord with press dispatches describing
grave political conditions.
The outcome of the forthcoming x
traordinary national council to be held
at Moscow is awaited here with inter
est, scarcely less keen thar In Russia
itself. Tie immediate fate of Russia,
1t Is felt, depends upon it.
Out of the great gathering, In which
the conservative elements of all sorts
are expected to unite in an effort to
compel the provisional government to
throw off the socialistic control of n
soldiers and workmen's council, n
Of two results Is expected:
The formation of a strong CEN
tralized government capable OF
rapidly re-organizing tile army
and resuming the offensive against
the central powers:
Or open civil strife.
1t appears that little can be done by
American government, to help imme-
diately in the crisis. The problem was
discussed yesterday at a conference by
Secretaries Lansing, McAdoo and Bak-
er. 1t Is understood that attention
was given chief1y.to the financial and
industrial aid which the United States
can and will give and the assurance
Of which is counted upon to strengthen
the hand Of the Russian provisional
authorities, Ambassador Bakhmeteff
spent virtually the entire day at the
treasury talking over with officials the
financial needs Of his government.
In connection with further advances
of money to Russia, consideration also
Is being given to the case of hard
pressed Rumania, whose troops are
fighting with the Russians to stop the
Teutonic drive in the southeast. It is
understood that any loan that may be
arranged for Rumania will be handled
through Russia.
German Intrigue and Anarchy.
German .ntrigues in Russia are
ence to bring about anarchy within
the new democracy. Just how they
are playing their game in reference
to the opposing elements has not been
revealed.
The organization Of Russian con-
servatives. described as forcible, whose
criticism of the provisional govern
ment's course is to the effect that
Socialist domination has destroyed
discipline and efficiency in the army
and left the country exposed to inva-
SASAb 0Ip0 ~ AGo " DOOAA
ly measured in strength, in dispatches
received here. It combines, however,
the dismissef' generals Of the army,
the bourgeoise, or constitutional dem
ocrats, discontinued Moscow business
men and other elements all of whom
demand a radical change in the gov
ernment's policy.
Opposing the principles Of this COM
bination are the cabinet and the So
| cio HofS l. A pro rarflx- hoI3{a~ A. 80
hdence Of both factions is Premier
Kerensky. The conservatives criticise
him for submission to Socialistic con-
II oil.
Civil War in Prospect.
P~etrograd newspapers taxi the pes
simisttc view that unless an agreement
between the contending political
groups is reached at the approaching
extraordinary council to be held at
Moscow open conflict must follow.
The constituent assembly elections
have been postponed until Noyem-
Ter rs.
The situation remains azure in Fin
land owing to the difficulty Of estab-
fishing q new cabinet and to the per-
sistent efforts Of the Socialists to re-
convene h dissolved landtag. against
which latter action Premier Kerensky
is said to be opposed, no matter what
the cost. $
East Of Riga the Russians have
fallen back before the enemy all along
the line from R~aggedzem, on the Gulf
of Riga. through Tukkum and Kam-
mern to the upper reaches Of the river
IA. Fighting Is going on on a scant
20-mile front east of Riga in the Lake
Babit sector. The German Official
oommunicAt alton in announcing German
gains in this region says the Russians
evacuated positions without Offering
battle. previously having DESTROYED
villages behind them.
To the south in volhynia the Ger
mans also have delivered attacks
against the Russians for gains but
later were dislodged in counter-at-
lacks. In the Rumanian 5heater the
Russo-Rumanian troops nave taken
the offensive III various sections. or re-
pulsed Teut"nlc allied counter-attacks.
no important gains in this region
lave been made by either Of the COM
patants.