Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-08-09
RUSSIAN MISSION
Continued from Page One)

has had a wonderful effect on the
morale.
''All they need is better transporta-
ton facilities to move troops, NUM-
tions, etc. They have plenty of NUM-
tions On hand and if they can solve
the railroad problem, they will fight
Ambassador Bakhmetieff of Russia,
Counsellor Polk of the State Depart
ment, Samuel Gompers. president Of
the American Federation Of Labor. and
other officials were among those who
met the commission al the train.
Maseots Of New Russia
When the offensive of the Russian
army against the Austro- Germans was
at its high tide, General Scott and some
OF his party watched the inception Of
the movement and were hailed as mas
cots of new Russia. The mutiny,
which swiftly altered the situation, IS
attributed wholly to German propa-
ganda by the returned Americans.
They believe that many Russians who
FASTENED back to Russia from the
United States after the revolution may
have been German agents carrying
German funds.
The American embassy at Petrograd
has been besieged by young Russian off,
GERS eager to obtain commissions in the
American army. Their eagerness 10 serve
under the American flag was attributed
to the fact that many Russian army or
CARNATIONS have been controlled by SOL
diers' committees since the revolution.
General Scott said the work of the
Russian troops in the offensive he watch
ed early in July could not be improved
upon. He was greatly impressed by the
work Of the artillery. American officers
watched the fight start from the hidden
observation trenche of the corps COM
mander and five miles of the battle line
was unroled before their eyes. General
Scott said such an opportunity might not
come to a military observed in years.
When the American party arrived at
Tarnopol on the visit to the front an
Austrian airplane was over the town
dropping bombs. The Russian guns were
vainly seeking to bring the machine down
and the visitors got their first experience
Of heavy artillery fire.
The following day they saw from the
corps commanders trench the battle may
unrolled before them with guns drum
ming at trenches about to be assaulted,
Next morning the assault began with
redoubled artillery fire. The American
officers would not stay in the command
ers' trench. fearing they might be in the
way: go they clambered out into a wheat
field and watched the fight from the open,
At the given moment the Russian infan-
try swept over the top under the eyes OF
the observers while the storm Of shells
which had been bursting over the Aus
trian front trenches was raised to form
a barrier behind them.
Soon groups Of men came struggling
back General Scott said he thought at
first it had been repulse, but they were
prisoners More than 5000 Austro-Germans
surrendered at the first rush.
While they watched the fighting the
Americans received a message from the
Russian brigade commander saying the
Austrian guns were getting his range,
and asking that the American party with
draw. fearing that they might be attract
ing the fire which threatened his tele-
granh and telephone lines General Scott
and his party complied, taking up another
post of observation.