The Washington times., 1917-08-04
RUSSIAN SITUATION
IS MORE CRITICAL
TODAY THANEVER

LONDON, Aug. 4-The Russian
situation Is more critical today than
at any previous time, following the
resignation of Prenier-war Minister
Kerensky and other ministers, all but
two of whom have withdrawn their
designations.
Advices from Petrograd today en-
phasfEed the seriousness OF the double
military and political crises.
Rerensky>was prevailed upon to re-
main N; the Cabinet. but It is totter-
ting and the belief Ia Widespread that
Its days are numbered. Already at.
tempts are being made form a new
government.
1t was pointed out today that Ger
many may have timed her new peace
move to coincide with the chaotic
state OF affairs that has developed in
Russia With the Russian armies in
peril and anarchy rife In Petrograd
and elsewhere, the Kaiser IL believed
to have seized upop this as an op-
perfume moment to again launch q
campaign for . separate peace with
Russia
Premier-war Minister Kerensky,
who resigned and then recalled his
ferences with leaders OF the various
political factions tomorrow, looking
to the formation of q fourth coali-
ton of ministry.
It is reported that q number OF ar
rests have been made as a result of
the assassination OF General Erdelli.
who was shot in the back. Erdelll
was military governor OF Petrograd.
General Erdelli, recently appointed
military governor of Petrograd, 10 re-
ported to have been assassinated. BE-
ing treacherously shot In the back.
The line OF the River Zbrocz. at It's
confluence with the Dniester, has beef
given up at several places by the
Russians, who, however, fought stub
bornly to hold back the Austro-Ger-
mans. Between the Dniester and the
Pruth the Russians have not halted
in their retreat toward the border.
Bukowina In almost entirely in the
hands OF the Prusso-Austrians again.
The Teuton advance in Galicia and
Bukowina seemingly Is aimed at Ka-
menets Podolsky. q fortified city north
of the DnIester and in the direction
OF Odessa, Russia's great port on the
Black sea.
The designations Of N. Rerensky
and his fellow cabinet members came
about as the result OF accusations
against II. Tchernon, the minister OF
agriculture, and a complete break
down OF the negotiations to bring the
constitutional democrats into the
cabinet NJ. Tchernof was accused Of
having been connected with the Ger.
man general stag.
A last attempt will be made to re-
construct the ministry under Premier
Kerensky with the chief new men,
bers being exclusively from the So
cIalist and radical parties.
In q letter to NJ Rerensky, n.
Tchernoff said he was resigning to
obtain freedom OF action in order to
defend his character against the CAL
umny that he had been connected
with the German general staff.
The Government accepted the resig.
nation. at the same time expressing
the conviction that N. Tchernoff will
succeed in rehabilitating himself.
The vice premier, NJ. Nekrason, said
today that some OF the documents
supposed to lhcriminate NJ. Tchernoff
already had been examined He con-
slders the charges against the min
lister OF agriculture as not being very
grave, but the cabinet was obliged to
accept the resignation Professionally.
The documents. the discovery OF
which led to the resignation of N.
Tchernon. are said to indicate that
he made contributions TO a Newspaper
in Switzerland which has relations
with the German general stan.