New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-08-26
Petrograd Not Menaced by
German Advance, De-
clares c. H. Boynton
People Favor Moscow
Seek to End Incessant Agita-
ton of Radicals in Present
Government Seat

Charles H. Boynton, president Of the
American Russian Chamber OF Com
merce, who returned recently from
Russia, expressed his view yesterday
of conditions in the new republic.
Mr.. Boynton said that the question
of the change of the Russian capital
from Petrograd to Moscow was mat
ter connected with internal politics in
Russia and was in no way related to
any German military movement
Moreover, the city of Riga, on the
Baltic, he said, was of no great i'm
portance as a military centre, in view
of the evacuation Of that city by the
Russians in 1915.
Hope in Moscow Conference
Mr.. Boynton expressed his opinion
that the Moscow conference, which
will be representative of all the diff
ferent political factions in Russia, will
result in a great degree of unitication
in Russia and that out Of this confer
ence there will come a strong and
more firmly established government.
"Petrograd,' said Ar. Boynton, "is
in greater danger of losing her posi-
ton as the capital Of Russia because
OF the will OF the Russian people
than she is from any military opera
tions by Germany. Petrograd has
never been fayorite city OF Russia.
Russians complain Of its location. its
climate, its constant political dis
sensions and its cosmopolitan popula-
ton, a large percentage Of which IS
German, which makes 1t anything but
a thoroughly representative Russian
city. 1t must be remembered that be-
fore Peter the Great made Petrograd
the capital of Russia, Moscow, with
all its holy, historical heritage, was
the capital, and by the majority Of
Russians still is regarded as the
most beloved spot.
The agitation Of a change in the
capital has never ceased since the
original change was made from Mos
COW to Petrograd.
Change Long Threatened
when the first break in the Pro-
visional Government came and Muliu-
kofT and Gutohkof left the Cabinet
the dissatisfaction of Russia as
whole with the vicious extremist
movement which had its headquarters
in Petrograd was such that the resig-
nation of the entire Cabinet for the
purpose of reestablshing a new gov
eminent in Moscow was seriously con-
sidered. The threat was openly made
that, if a more conservative attitude
were not taken by the radical element
Moscow would be selected as the
seat of the government, the railway
line which supplies Petrograd with her
food would be cut, and Petrograd
would be left TO work out her own
salvation. without assistance from the
nation at large.
Riga Not Key 10 Capital
Riga, which rumor reports as being
within the German grasp, is no more
the key to Petrograd than Boston
would be the key TO Washington. Riga
was evacuated by the civil government
as early as 1915, and the northern Rus
sian front for the last two years has
not been more than ten miles distant.
The idea that Riga is a naval base is
absurd, because it has been under Ger
man fire for the last two years. If my
information is correct, there is no Rus
sian feet in the Bay Of Riga.
amy one who has travelled over the
territory between Petrograd and Riga
knows that, except for the mountain
range which runs through Pskov, the
rest Of the route is through a salt
marsh, over which an army advance
would be almost impossible under the
best conditions. During the month of
August the rainy season sets in, and
between Petrograd and Riga military
operations are practically impossible.
Besides this the heavy Notifications
for the defence of Moscow, as we'll as
Pctrograd, from the sea do not lie at
Riga, but at other much more defensi-
BILE points.
zone must expect to read from Rus
STA within the next week political
speeches which will show a decided
division of opinion as between the con-
servative democratic party and the
radical element, which has its strong
est advocates'in Petrograd.
Conservatives Grow in Strength
at is far from an unhealthy sign
that there should be a sufficiently
strong element in Russia to be able to
combat the extremist views. That there
should be two strong parties, one radi
cal and the other conservative, is quite
natural, and that the more conservative
party apparently is growing in strength
is a happy sign. 1t is my opinion that
out Of the Moscow conference will come
a more united, stronger nation, which
will have a Cabinet more representa-
tive and more powerful to deal with
the vital questions of Russia than any
that yet has existed.
Let me repeat that America need
not be concerned over Russiss solu-
tion of her political problems. In'these
contentious America has no part.
Americas help must be financial and
material and not political. Russia's
gravest difficulty is that of transporta-
ton, and by supplying her Immediately
with rolling stock we will be rendering
the greatest immediate service"