New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-05-12
Russian Council
Evidently Driving
Toward Civil War
Revolution for Whole Of Europe
Is Now the Ambition Of
Socialists
By ISAAC DON LEVINE

The Russian Council of Workmen's
and Soldiers Deputies is evidently
bent upon causing civil war in free
Russia For several days now it has
been holding up Russia and the civil.
lied world repeatedly and suddenly
changing its policy under shifting in
fuences. To-day the new Russia is
nearer collapse than at any other time
since the revolution.
At first the Council caused almost
another revolt by demanding the dis
missal of Foreign Minister Miliukoff for
|, mis- note TO the Allies. When, however
the Provisional Government took a de-
cided stand and announced its willing
ness to resign, the Council, afraid of
the responsibility, voted its confidence
in the Provisional Government.
That was only six days ago. The
government thought that it had finally
triumphed over the extremists and was
free to pursue it's hard task of reor-
ganizaton. But the Council, after its
vote of confidence, Immediately re-
sumed its hecKling policy, again
jeopardizing the activities of the Pro-
visonal Government.
Opposed a Coalition Cabinet
The latter in despair suggested a
coalition Cabinet The Socialist Minis
ter of Justice, Kerensky, took the
initiative in an appeal to the council
and various revolutionary parties to
participate in the government. But he
met with a refusal The Socialists were
willing to heckle, criticise and cause
trouble. but would not shoulder any re-
sponsibility.
To-day the crisis IS rapidly coming
TO a head. The speeches of Rodzianko
and Guchkoff in the Duma were more
than a plea for harmony and unity IN
the name Of patriotism. They were a
warning and a challenge to the ex-
tremists on the part of the Provisional
Government.
The latter is daily commanding more
and more support, as the Councils
changeable tactics are alternating larger
numbers of its supporters. The day is
not distant when the Provisional Gov
eminent and the Duma will issue call
IN the nation 10 rise and save II from
the band of ultra Socialists whose
blindness and fSnaticism may ruin Rus
sia.
The Council of Workmen's and Sol
diers' Deputies, in issuing an appeal TO
the international proletariat to send
representatives TO conference, rs
actuated by two motives. viz:
First. to bring about universal peace
at any cost. Second. to cause social
revolution in Europe.
Lenine's Attitude Explained
Therein lies the explanation of the
refusal Of Lenine, the extreme pscihst'
N narticjpatc in the Stockholm Social
ist conference arranged by the agents
of Schcidemann. Lenine's aim was not
10 act for Germany. but to overthrow
tho ruling classes in all Europe and
set up a dictatorship OF the proletariat
He now sees the Council OF Deputies
work for the same end. and conse-
ouently has Joined hands with them.
This would signify that the division
in the ranks OF the Russian Socialists
is for the time being gone. They are
united in the belief that a separate
peace will not serve their purpose. To
bring universal peace they have de-
c;ded 10 urge the proletariat of Eu-
rome. irrespective Of nationality. 10
combine in a social revolution. 1t is
for that purpose that they have re-
solved 10 negotiate with the Stockholm
Socialists.
The spectre of civil war hovers over
Russia to-day. A large part OF the ma
tion will not submit to the dictatorship
nj the labor leaders. A serious out
break may be expected at any moment
All Europe is confronted by a grave
crisis. A general rising Of the masses
is n possibility to be reekoned with IN
connection with the proposed interna-
tional conference. Its ayowed purpose
is social revolution for Europe. which
entails first Of all civil war for the
rev Russia,