Evening star., 1917-11-10
REPORT BY FRANCIS
. ON RUSSIAN REVOLT
Press Dispatches Confirmed
by the American Ambassa-
dor at Petrograd.
Embassy HERE is SILENT

xxy., Ambassador Francis, at Petro-
grad, the State Department today received
the first official reports on the overthrow
Of the Kerensky cabinet in Russia.
In practically every important point the
dispatches of Ambassador Francis bore
out the press association reports. Accord
ing to the ambassadors cable. the entire
Kerensky ministry. except the premier
himself. has been placed under arrest.
Ambassador Francis is silent on cex
velopments in Moscow. He states that
news from other points in Russia outside
Petrograd is exceedingly hard to obtain
because the bolsheviki is in entire con-
troll of the telegraph system Of the coun-
try.
No intimation is given that embassies
or legations of foreign nations are men,
aced. He referred to the fighting when
the revolutionists gained possession OF
the winter palace. but states that sihce
that time Petrograd has been orderly.
Supplies Not Cut Off.
For the present no action is being
taken to stop the supplies being sent
to Russia purchased here with the
American money loaned to that nation.
The government will await develop
ments. it was stated in official quar-
ters, before taking any action IN re-
gard to the continued letting and ful-
tillment of contracts.
Just now there is no recognized head
to the departments (the State Depart
ment not having been informed OF the
newly created bolsheviki cabinet), and
no one with whom this government
might communicate. If it should desire,
who could speak with authority for the
Russian government
Pending the return later in the day
of the Russian ambassador. the Rus
sian embassy continued early this
morning to withhold comment. and 1T
was informed of the Ienine ministry
by newspapers themselves. officials of
ged their shoulders.
The only other official information
today, aside from the dispatches of Am
bassador Francis. was a cablegram
stating that Red Cross workers in Rus
STA were safe and well.
Mostly Russian Jews.
Att ntion was called by man in
formed upon Russian affairs to the fact
that the makeup OF the bolsheviki
cabinet Is almost wholly that of Rus
sian Jews That fact, in itself. it was
argued, presaged its early downfall.
While the oppression of Jews in Russia
has ceased. and they are accorded full
political rights. it was stated that there
still Is a considerable element who
would unite in vigorous opposition to
a cabinet almost entirely made UP of
the Jewish leaders.
Nikolat lenine is not Jew. He has
magnetic personality, and was described
by one man here as "a fanatic, life
long radical agitator. with convincing
manner of speech which carries con-
yiction of great sincerity He Is easily
ft4 h0l lob Ill
element. 1t was stated. Though he has
been political aSitator from his youth
he succeeded in avoiding exile into
Siberia. even under the czar, and has
influence especially among the most
extreme element of the radicals and So
cialists.
In all, the purchasing power Of the
Russian government in this country
now is s325, 100000, the amount loaned
to Russia by this government. This
money has been expended through a
Russian purchasing agency in New
York. dealing with contractors through
the Council of National Defense. and
the expenditures have been given the
official approval of the Russian en-
bassy Officials Of the embassy have
been going to New York weekly to con-
fer with the heads of the purchasing
department of their government.
Large Orders for Shoes.
At first the principal purchases were
shells, guns, arms and ammunition of
all kinds, and railroad equipment.
Shoes and clothing more recently have
figured largely in the orders placed in
this country, and there now is pending
negotiations for half million pairs of
shoes. mostly. 1t was stated. for the
Russian army.
It has been reported unofficially here.
by persons coming back from Russia.
that while the provisional government
has sought to encourage the rehabili-
ward enabling the distribution of food
supplies, that many Of the rails and
other equipment. as well as farm imple-
ments. still are piled high on platforms
lines. mostly in bad repair. It also has
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