New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-03-17

dark forces" and began a systemic
discrimination OF the system Of com
munications. already faulty under the
best of conditions.
When the Russian army in Galicia
and the supporting forces in Moldavia
were needed most to relieve the press
ure on Rumania, their supplies sud
denly gave out and they were forced To
take the defensive instead of prescott
ing a vigorous offensive.
On the best authority can state tina.
Germany was kept informed constantly
Of all the Russian movements. Spies
we're permitted 20 roam about, and II
was even rumored that there was d.reci
wireless communication between Berlin
and Petrograd. The sacking Of the
residence o. Count Fredericks, the min
lister of the imperial court now IN az
tendance on the Car, whose home ad
Joined the telegraph Office, shows thai
somehow this rumor reached the ears
OF the people and was believed by
them.
ProtopopOff's Greatest Efforts
Protopopof's greatest efforts. how
ever, centred around the Zemstvos and
municipalities. whose work IL was 10
provide for the wants Of the military
and civil population. On the ono side
the dark forces blocked the work or
these organizations, while on the other
side men like Prince Lyoh, now Pre-
mier. helped to increase their influence
ana uqefulness.
Protopopof sent military police and
spies among the peasants, who ordered
them 10 stop sending supplies 10 the
centres OF population and 20 the army
arrested and imprisoned the leaders,
caused strikes and riots. circulated
false reports OF internal conditions and
did everything possible to disorganlzc
the economic life of the country. That
thew failed was due 10 the generals of
the army. who never lost the oppor-
tunity to send public messages of APP
probation and thanks for the work Of
the democratic bodies.
Protopopof had to figure closely on
the time il would be best 10 deliver
Russla into the hands of Germany.
BY the end Of April be estimated that
Germany would have struck heavy
blow, and By that time ne believed tina,
his mower would be sufficient 20 pull
the country out of war lie played a
risky game, and he played II brutality
! eI ne WOulu nave sutNf'ANh nav u ~
been for a small number of high
minded generals.
Could Not Buy Generals
Protopopotf felt that he could handi-
cap and temporarily paralyze the ac-
tivities Of these generals. but he could
not either buy them nor convince them
that Russia ought TO give up the war.
Instead. they united with the demo
cratic forces working in the zemstyos
municipalities.
The overturning of Europe's most
autocratic government and the reor-
ganization of the country life has been
no sudden move, no fash in the pan, no
mere uprising due 20 economic dis
turbances and difficulties. The men in
power hoped that it would not take
place until the end of the present war,
but if it had, peace would not have
brought what they wanted.
To them it would be a German peace
and il would have meant a continuation
of the rule Of oppression By bureau
Gratis who have systematically kept the
people in ignorance. ProtopopoE rep.
resented what all England, France and
America hate and despise. Whatever
happens TO Russia, there can be no re-
turn TO similar conditions.