The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1917-09-29
SLAv PREMIER
ANSWERS HIS
FOES COLDLY
IN CONGRESS
Kerensky Accepts Challenge
of Polsheviki-Applause
Slight From Democratic
Congress in Capital.
WAR MINISTER CHEERED

PETROGRAD, Sept 2S. (Delayed)
Premier Kerensky took the initia-
tive today and faced coldly what may
be the supreme test of the power OF
his government At the very beginning
of the democratic congress, called by
the MaMmalists and the council Of
workmen's and soldiers delegates to
question his power and perhaps to de-
mand a new government, the premier
accepted the challenge.
He told the congress that his regi-
me had saved Russia in its darkest
hours.
The government also indicated its
policy of firm continuation Of the
war when General Verkhovsky, minis
ter of war, pledged the convention to
a anal victory over Germany IL dis
cfpline in the army was restored.
Gets More Cheers
The generals reference to the re-
turn of discipline and his announce
ment that the officers would be named
by their superiors, instead of elected
by the soldiers was applauded only
mildly, but his address as a whole
evoked more cheers than did the
premier's.
M. Kerensky in his speech, referred
to the revolt of General Kornilon and
declared:
II prevented it. I destroyed it.
was informed from the beginning OF
its existence"
When the premier declared that the
good of Russia necessitated the observ-
ance of order and discipline one of the
most dramatic hecklfng incidents
which punctuated the address oc-
Cured He had reached pause in his
address when loud voice in the gal
lery shouted:
you are the greatest mischief
worker Of the country"
Soldier Folds Arms.
From bedlam of Kisses and ap-
plause, voices from the floor challeng-
ed the heckler to arise. A common
soldier in the back gallery arose and
with armsEfelded. across his brown
blouse, stood calmly facing torrent
OF Kisses from the supporters of Pre-
mier Kerensky This was only one of
the unusual scenes.
The convention was an unusual
sight, the sombre colors Of the clothes
of peasants, workmen and private sol
diers predominated. Here and there
were the brighter colorS of the uniform
of officers. The galleries we're jam.
med with a variegated crowd of spec.
tators who considered it their right to
interrupt the proceedings with ques,
tions.
There was an air of tense excite
ment as result OF rumors that the
agitator, Lenine, was in Petrograd
and would attend the convention This
died down, however, when he failed
to appear.
The applause which greeted Premier
Kerensky indicated that he had a
small minority with him. The social
lists supporting him contend that he
has a majority of the convention. The
government ministers had meeting
late tonight to discuss the effect oi
his appearance but none of the minis
ters would talk.
Crisis Is Expected.
A crisis probably will come Satur
day when the work Of preliminary or
ganiZation has been completed and
the radical left presents its extremist
program.
The Bolsheviki and the Conserva
tives alike will make an effort tomor
row lining up their strength through
party conferences.
An instance of split even in the
closest party ranks was given the con
gress today when NJ Tchernoff, the
spokesman for the workmen and
soldiers, referred to General Kale
dimes, the chief of the Cossacks as
that miserable Kaledines."
One of the Cossacks delegates shout
ed "You dare not attack General Kal
edines" Another Cossack leaped tc
his feet, shouting GO on, Kaledines
is a traitor"
Unusual vigilance was observed by
the military authorities of Petrograd
tonight in connection with the con
[contInued On Page Ten.]