The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-08-08
Mission Back From Russia To
Report at Once.
President Sets Interview fOI
This Afternoon at 4.
ALL OPTIMISTIC FOR SLAVS
Socialist Delegate Says Peace
Talk Now Is "ROt."
Russians Look to q. 8. for
Guidance and Assistance.


Washington, Aug. S.-The Ameri-
can mission to Russia headed by
today to report to President Wilson
on the results of it's three months trip
to the worlds newest democracy.
A delegation of government officials
met the party at the railroad station.
Major General Scott, chief of staff
of the army who spent much time at
the front will report to Secretary
Baker. The general was with the
Russian army part of the time it was
in rout before the German forces and
is expected to bring much valuable
military information.
Arrangements were made at the
White House for President Wilson to
receive Mr.. Root and all the members
of the mission accompanying him at
4 o'clock this afternoon. Later Mr..
Root will see Secretary Lansing. 1t
is expected that Mr.. Root will make
partial report at the brief conference
today. Much, if not all of it, neces-
sarily will be confidential.
Good Chances for Russia.
The mission returned filled with
optimism over conditions in the new
republic and the chances of Russia
doing her part to the end in the war
Assurances that the United States
improved railroad facilities were de-
clared by different members of the
commission to be among the outstand-
ing needs of Russia.
1.-The situation is very hopeful" Mr..
Root said, Americas entrance into
the war has had good effect. The
morale of the Russian ople is good
and altogether I should say the out
look is encouraging
Charles Edward Russell, another
member of the mission who recently
withdrew from the Socialist party in
this country declared vigorously that
the chief duty of the United States is
to convince the Russian people that
| the United States is in the war to the
finish.
Must Go Thru to Finish.
81 cannot emphasize too strongly"
Mr.. Russell said, that this country
should present a united front. The
Russian people are not united at the
present time, but they are in such a
frame of mind that they easily can be
united if the American people only
will convince them that this nation
stands solidly behind it's allies in this
war and will not falter.
THE newspapers of the United
States have a great duty to perform
in presenting the situation in this
country as 1t really is Talk of peace
Rat this time and arguments against
| sending our boys to France is utter
rot We must go thru this war to the
end and our citizens might as well
fnaks up their minds to that effect.
Stacker, peace and home guard talk
I has no place in this situation at pres
ent, / am greatly encouraged by con-
! ditions in Russia. They are becoming
] better all the time. Even during the
-four weeks that l was in Petrograd
notice great change. 1 spent vir-
| tually all of that time with the work
/ w ha
| government of Russia and know
| that the people are gradually getting
behind the government more strongly
| each day. OF course they are a senti-
mental and peculiar people but they
are anxious to make a fight for the
right and if we will do our share they
| certainly will do theirs. The whole
| question of the future of Russia now
| lies with the United States
Railroads Greatest Problem.
1 James Duncan, who represented
| labor on the commission, said that de-
velopment of railroad facilities is the
greatest problem now facing the Rus
| sian people
1.-The outlook for the new republic
| is bright he said. THE people are
| pleased that the United States has got
ten into the war and its entrance has
| had a wonderful effect on the morale
"AlI they need is better transporta-
| ton facilities to move troops, NUM-
| lions, etc. They have plenty of NUM-
/! lions on hand and If they can sclve
| the railroad problem they will fight
| like -''
Ambassador Bakhmeteff of Russia,
Counsellor Polk of the state depart
ment, Samuel Gompers, president of
the American Federation OF Labor,
1 and other officials were among those
who met the commission at the train
Russia, Colony of Kaiser.
London, Aug. S.-The ~correspon-
dent of the Times at the headquarters
of the seventh Russian army talked
with General Korniloff or the eve of
his departure to take over the SUI
/ preme command. General Korniloff
said. 1.-The first stage of the war is
over. The second phase begins today
The correspondent says the Russian
| commander repudiates the possibility
of the Russian surrendering. He
| holds that If Russia concludes dis
honorable peace, to which traitors
have been driving her she will
become German colony forever. The
Germans would seize her foodstuffs
enroll her men and treat her as a
conquered country. There could be nc
choice between the evil of war and
the evil of surrender. The new gov
| eminent must realize the necessity OF
inviting the allies to help in reorgan-
| izing the railway service fer warfare
If Germany decided. as ali signs indi-
cate, to transfer the main pressure tc
the Russian front, it would be hope
LESS to rely on methods hat awaited
against tho inferior Aus--iai- troops
Russia is full of splendid fighting
men. Ten millions have already beer
enrolled, ut they are scarcely trained
The millions must be helped by Brit
ish and French officers as Serbians