New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-05-06
Russia Fights in Defence Only;
Will Make No Separate Peace
Labor Council Ruling Power Demands Reputation 81
Aggression Policy Aiming at Overthrow OF
Autocras Then of Capital
Bv ISAAC DON LEVINE

The peril that confronts Russia to-
day lee in the duality Of her supreme
authority. Tho Provisional Govern
mcnt. now nomrnally ruling Russia,
and the Council Of Workme1's and
Soldiers Deputies. which is responsible
for the latest outbreaks in Petrograd'
represent two individual and conflict
ing forces Of public opinion. 4 mortal
clash between the two earlier or later
Is hardly avoidable.
The Provisional Government repre-
scnts the progressive middle class. It's
interests arc the interests o. the gov
eminent of France. Great Britain OF
the United States. 1t aims at the de-
struction Of Prussianism in order TO
safeguard the political wellbeing OF
humanity. Its programme calls for the
abolition Of militarism and the estab-
lishmcnt Of democracy throughout the
world.
The Council Of Labor Deputie1 stands
for far more radical changes in the
structure of human life 1t is a so
cialistc body. Composed of delegates
OF the masses and Of representatives, Of
the various revolutionary parties, the
council wants nothing less than social
revolution, to be accomplished after the
overthrow of autocracy in Europe.
Wide Gulf Between Factions
The gulf between the Provisional
Government and the Council Of Depu-
ties is therefore as wide as between
the United States government and So
cialism Only such an upheaval as the
Russian revolution could have brdgcd
this chasm between the two extremes.
The masses, who won the freedom Of
Russia, knew that they would not be
able &c preserve it without the support
of the heads of the army and the mod
crate elements in the nation. They
therefore turned to the Duma to estab-
liSh a provisional government. The
present government was chosen from
among the members of the Duma be
cause only it could command the i'm
mediate support Of all the conservative
classes, thus saving Russia from re-
action
But as soon as the new regime was
established the masses, through their
council began to force the Provisional
Government to accept their views and
act accordingly. Thus it was the Coun-
Gil Of Labor Deputies that compelled
the Duma government 20 demand the
abdication of the Car For the Duma
originally favored constitutional
monarchy under Nicholas II. Later
the masses again forced the abdica-
ton Of Grand Duke Michael. whom
the Duma was willing to crown as sue
cessor to Nicholas. The Russian Re
public is therefore entirely a product
Of the masses, and not Of the academic
Duma.
The Council Of Labor Deputies con
tinues to exert its influence en- the
policies Of the Provisional Govern
ment A majority of the latter con-
siders the captalistlc development OF
Russia as one of the chief tasks con-
fronting the new democracy. II would
invite foreign investments to the cOun-
try. straining all its energies TO build
up RUSSIA lnduStrldllN ana CONNER
cially. But the socialistic council
thinks otherwise. 1t would not toler-
ate any schemes for economic expan-
sion.
Dardanelles Incident
It was on this basis that the Darda-
nelles incident occurred. Foreign Min
lister Miliukof. undoubtedly voicing
the opinions Of the majority Of the
Provisional Government. declared that
Russia needed Constantinople, the need
being of a purely economic nature
to safeguard a warm outlet to the sea
for Russia. But the council interfered
1t does not believe in aggression for
commercial purposes, just as it opposes
IL for political aims. The Provisional
Government, under the pressure of the
Socialists, was forced to issue 4 proc
lamation denOuncing all annexation de-
signs
But that was not enough. The Social
ist Council in desire TO bring about
universal peace. has been agitating for
similar action on the part Of the Al