Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-09-29
kERENSky DEFENDS
HIMSELF BEFORE the.
RUSSIAN FACTIONS

Petrograd Thursday, Sept e7-Pre-
mer kerensky addressed the Demo-
cratic Congress at its first session yes
terday in the municipal theatre. re-
ceivins applause which came p.inci-
pally from the radical groups of dele
gates He spoke in forceful style, with
the air of challenging his opponents.
The address was largely defense Of
the acts OF the government under his
Premiership.
NJ. kerensky was interrupted fire.
quently by shouts from one group and
another. which led at times to alter
cations lasting several minutes A.
one point, when the premier spoke of
the refusal of the soldiers and work.
mems delegates of Helsingfors to o.
pose the reopening OF the Finnish Diet,
although the government had forbid
den it. the Bolsheviki burst into loud
cheers.
cheer. my friends. if you will"
said Nj. kerensky. when he was able
to make himself heard, but bear in
the Baltic
The delegates Of the Right jeersd
the Bolsheviki asking them why they
did not cheer the premier's remark. in
asmuch as the Germans were their
friends.
Premier Kerensky. in his address de-
clared that the government already
had announced its program at the
state conference in Moscow. He then
made few remarks in his own de-
Tense. particularly in regard to the ac-
ton Of Gen. Korniloff. NJ Ksrensky
said that he had known for a long
time that a master stroke was being
prepared, and he took steps to prevent
il.
From the time of Cen Korniloff's
appointment the army headquarters
began to address ultimatum after ulti-
matum to the government. which had
its own plan to counter the disorg4n-
ization Of the army and the Moscow
Congress unless the armys terms were
accepted. After the Riga disaster the
demands from the army headquarters
became more pronounced.
The Democratic congress held IT'S
first session this evening in the NUM-
cipal theatre, 1900 delegates from all
parts of Russia being in attendance.
All the members Of the provisional
government, headed by Premier Ker-
ensky. were present. Several members
Of the diplomatic occupied a special
box.
\. c. Tcheidse. president Of the
Council of Soldiers and Workmen's
Delegates. in opening the conference,
explained that the extremely grave sit
uation Of the country necessitated the
constitution Of strong revolutionary
power responsible to all elements. M.
Avksentieff. president of the Council
Of Peasants Delegates. said that the
moment had arrived for democracy to
gather, all its political wisdom to save
the conquests Of the revolution which
We're threa tened with irreparable ca
tastrophe if not safeguarded now
AS at Moscow. exceptional precau-
tons were taken TO guard the demo
cratic congress against Disturbance.
although at this time the steps were
not taken by the government. but by
the organization committee and the
Workmen's and Soldiers Delegates
Nikalai Ienine, the Radical Socialist
leader. Is reported to have arrived In
Petrograd. The police do not deny this
report. but say his present address ts
rot known to the authorities. The mir
lister Of the interior has ordered his ar
rest.
The presiding officers of the Dem
ccratic CONGRESS- comprise ave rspre-
sentatives Of the workmens and SOL
dicrs' delegates. five each from the
town If Zemstvos and two each from
other groups