New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-09-14
Kerensky Unlikely to In
hict Death Penalty
on Rebel
Cossack Advance
On Petrograd Halted
Soldiers Say They Were
Misled; Agree to Re-
turn to Homes
By Arthur S. Draper

20 surrender on the arrival of General
Hexicr. commander in chief of the
Russian armies, at Mobitev.
Kcrerssy has refused to accept any
surrender unless it is unconditional.
The rebel chief has intimated his will
irrrcss 90 appear before the revolu-
uonary tribunal. II is not likely that
the death penalty will be inflicted on
EcrrIoF.
Il IS good news. the finest Russia has
produced for many a day, for ir means
that after The failure of the leader best
qualified 70 challenge the authority Of
the government arother attempt is not
likely for some time.
People Back kerensky
Strong or weak, right or wrong,
Kerensky has won the Endorsement OF
the Russian people, and their decision
must be accepted by their allies. While
his commander in chief is parleying
with Korni,off, Kcrensky is organizing
new military government, Colonel
Verkho;sky, commandan at Moscow,
having been selected as Minister of
War. General Teplovest being appoint
cd con,nandant at Petrograd, and Po!t-
schursky, formerly Minister Of Com
merce, being appointed Military Gov
error General at the caUital.
Because OF the disafection of so
many OF hrs army leaders, Kerensky
has been forced tc p complete house
cleaning. A. the front the same re-
oigau.-af.C. must take place. II IS re-
ported that the General Headquarters
star has surrendered.
The Allied diplomats at Petrograd, OF
whom Sir George Buchanan is dean,
have issued statement explaining
ira, they took no sides but merely Of
fcred thcir services 10 avoid bloOdshed
and maintain .hc union of all the forces
for continuation Of the vigorous
prosecution Of the war.
Diplomacy Influenced Kornilof
Little is yet 10 hand to show what
convinced koruiloF that it was wise
10 abandon the fight without strik-
ing a blow, but 10 Is believed that
diplomacy Influenced him more than
the strength of the forces defending
Pe,rogTad. II must be remembered
that KOru l0F was actuated by the
hIghc,- patriotic motives, and though
probably .U-adyised. he challenged
kerer-tv ....--n be thought the Pre-
r had not made good.
O.
ce.vel dcatcd that the rival forces
were within lighting distance Of each
other and q battle seemed imminent,
bu, as the day advanced the news
showed that KcTensky's stock had i'm
proved
General KornilofF chiefly depended
upon the Mussulman Cassacks who,
after approaching within sixteen miles
Of the capital, failed in their allegiance
10 the rebel leader and accepted the
governments offer to send them back
to their homes in the Caucasus. Other
IcDe.lous troops took the same atti-
tuac, saying they were misled.
Russians Renew Attack
Meanwhile the Russian troops at the
front as though inspired by the dam
ger lu the rear, have assumed the ag-
gressIve Iu a number Of sectors. On
The road 90 Riga 'hey have driven back
The Germans after fierce lighting.
In Southeastern Bukowina they have
taken "a height and captured over 400
Austr.aDs and half dozen machine
guns. South Of Dvisak they are carry
NC out q heavy bombardment OF the
enemy position as though in prepara-
ton for an offensive movement.
After yeering around in regard TO
the support of KOrniloF, British press
opinion became more moderate to-day.
he difficulty Of interpreting correctly
the meacrc news from PCtrograd forced
'ne newspapers, and, consequently, the
public, 90 take middle course. In
England there Is certain section
which frankly favors the establishment
ct constitutional monarchy in Russia
because 10 believes it would mean law.
order and the reorganization OF the
lighting machine.
Alexief a Big Factor
The news that General AlcXieff
Joined the forces Of Kerensky TO be
come commander IN chief showed
pretty definitely that Russia was nm
lshed with mOraTchS. AleXieg, VINO
has sound judgment and influential
following, would hardly enlist undeT
kcrensky unless he expected the latter
10 win. With most Generals deserting
hercnsky AlexieF had everything 70
lose and nothing to win II korniloft
succeeded in becoming Dictator.
A'eMeiI's decision followed immedl-
ately the resignation of Tschernof as
Minister Of Agriculture. lie was DIT.
terly opposed by the Cadets because OF
his extreme views on the land ques-
tion, Tschernof proposing the taking
Of all land without indemnities. keren'
sky accepted his resignation as a con-
cesSion 20 the Cadets. BY this move
which naturally the Socialists opposed
kerensky gained his valuable recruit.
With the single exception OF the
Novoe Vremya" all the Russian news
papers continued 10 support kerensky
though some of them violently attacked
the members Of his Cabinet. While one
group urged him to be slow and moder
0te, others advocated extreme meas
ures, but through the last few weeks
the press has been uniformly favorable
10 kerensky personally.
Shis proved big asset to KerenskJ