Evening journal., 1917-07-25
HENDERSON Fears
Disaster IN RUSSIA
British Labor Representative
Says Only FirmnesS Can
Save Country
EXTREMISTS
IN MINORITY

LONDON July PA great tragedy
is being enacted in the life OF the
free Russian people, according to Ar
thur Henderson. member of the Brit
ish War Council and representative
OF labor. who has just returned from
an extended visit to Russia He is
convinced that unless the situation
is handled with firmness there must
be an inevitable disaster.
Mr. Henderson said il was nothing
less than q misfortune that the con-
tinuance OF the coalition government
had proved impossible The difficulties
the government had to cope with were
such as no other government ever ex-
perienced II was impossible TO con-
vey anything like an adequate con-
Ccption of the extent TO which tho
extremists dominated the life of the
capital demoralizing the army and
navy. especially those units In close
proximity to Petrograd
The true extremists he said, did not
represent more than a small minority
of the population, but such had been
the spirit Of terror exercised. together
with their destructive influence over
certain sections OF the military forces.
that they had succeeded I'M making "A
stable government difficult II not all
most impossible.
Mr. Henderson considered that tho
most disastrous experiment Of the
revolution was the relaxation OF dis
cpline In tho army and navy coupled
with the direct association OF those
Services with the political and revolu-
iionary propaganda. Tho resump-
lion .of the offensive caused tho ca
ircmsts considerable annoyance. and
although they had the wisdom to re-
main quiet while victories were be-
ing gained Il was generally recog-
nizod that they were waiting for an
opportunity for the move recently
made with such disastrous conse-
quenccs.
III Russia Is 10 rise 10 the great
ness of her possibilities the forces OF
disorder must be resolutely dealt
with 4" continued Mr.. Henderson. "rhe
future. Judging from tho recent past
is LARGELY in the hands OF the new
Workmon's and Soldiers Council
elected by the All Russia Congress.
which represents a large section OF
the community whose representatives
nro likely 70 become the dominant
party in the constituent Assembly"
The Russians said Mr. Henderson
were exceedingly anxious concerning
the conference OF the Allies including
tho United States because they hoped
Il would enable them to announce
that tho war treaties had been re-
vised IN tho direction of pronunciation
% an intentions inconsistent viii
their own declarations lney saif
frankly thoy were determined keep.
ing Cons.antinoplc in mind and hav'
ing doubts regarding Mesopolamia-
not TO leave the settlement Of thepara-
noun issues OF the war 10 chance de-
cisions OF a meeting OF diplomats. I'm
in this position was clarified he
doubted whether the whole army or a
majority OF inc moderate Socialists
upon whom so much depended would
give OF their best FOR he successiul
prosecution OF the war
The Russian Socialists, he said
were strong advocates OF an interna-
fional conference. He discussed ,ho
subject with NJ. Tseretelli, Minister
of Posts and Telographs. jus before
leaving Petrograd NJ. rsereteih
urged the importance OF sucn a con-
ference and OF Great Britain being
represented.