New-York tribune., 1917-06-11
Peasants for Rennhlic

The Congress Of Peasants Delegates
Of All Russia has joined in the move
ment for the establishment of a re-
public. It has adopted resolution in
favor of federal republic on demo-
cratic lines.
The commission which is celebrating
a law regulating the convening of the
constituent assembly mas rixed eighteen
years as the minimum age for voter.
1t is argued tnat youths of eighteen
are fighting in defence of their coun-
try and are entitled TO political rights.
George Buchanan. the British Ambas
sadcr, addressing a great meeting last
night held under the auspices of the
Russo British Society, said he had con-
stantly tried 10 impress on former En-
perOr Nicholas that in the twentieth
century an irresponsible autOcracy was
an anachronlsm which could not en-.
Gure. Russia, the ambassador said,
had captured the Bastile of autocracy
by assault in single week, and must
consolidate the newwon freedom.
Pleads for Defence
"lf you would keep it," Sir George
continued, mot only must you defend
II against attacks Of the enemy. but
also drive him from the national terri.
tory in order that your brothers in
those occupied provinces may enjoy
the same measure Of freedom as your
selves. To enable you to reap the har-
vest Of your revolution, the democ.
racies of France and Great Britain
have been holding or driving back the
main forces Of the Germans and she'd
ding their blood, not only in defence Of
their national patrimony, but to safe
guard the newborn liberties of Russia.
Had they not done so, had the Ger
mans not transferred westward large
bodies OF troops who had been concen-
trated on your front. it might have
gone hard with free Russia.
I'VE look to you now 70 help relieve
the constant pressure on our front by
yourselves taking the offensive, and
thus bring the war to a speedy end
and secure to the world the blessings
Of a permanent peace"
The ambassador uttered warning
against what he termed the Utopian
fallacy that these ends were attainable
by fraternizing with the German democ-
racN, %nlcn ne declared, from tnc out
set had identified itself whole-hesr srtedly
with the imperialistic aims and annex
ationist policy Of the government and
would never rise against the Hohen-
zollerns until u had been taught By mil
itary pressure and the effects Of the
blockade that the surerings endured
and the defeat awaiting Germany were
the direct consequences Of it's aggres-
sive military regime. After enlarging
on this theme, Sir George continued:
Denies German Tales
"Do not believe the tales with which
the German agents would poison your
minds against your allies. Do you sup
pose that II we were lighting for cap
italistic or imperialistic aims that
5000, 900 men q the British race would
have volunteered for active service,
that millions Of working men and wom-
en- would be working overtime in fac
tories 70 keep the British and Russian
armies supplied with shells and guns!
We are not Sighting for imperialistic
aims. We are fighting for the four
great principles Of liberty. nationality
reparation and permanent peace. There
is nothing in our policy incongruous
with the policy OF no anneXations or in
IDENTITIES II those words are rghtly
interpreted.
"0ur reply to tho Russian nots shows