Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-08-09
THE RUSSIAN DYNAMO
Kerensky, Always Known as Friend OF the Up
pressed Weathered Many Storms
Before the War

IONE Of the catch phrases Of the last
" three years has been, "It Is wal
waged by young aristocrats." But has II
not also been youthful, democratic war
Great gray men, like Joffre, have had their
place in II, and II has been big place
Young men, too, have shared the turmoil
the planning, the action of the conflict.
Alexander Feodorovitch Kerensky is one
of these. Even now prostrated in the cause
| of Russia. just as when he was wounded ir
| May he said, II am sorry that i did moi
| die two months ago. when the dream of a
new life was growing in the hearts Of the
Russian people," Kerensky remains one OF
the most striking, one Of the most dynamic
and, in n way, one of the most touching
figures of the great martial hurricane.
For this ascetic-looking young man, with
the earnest eyes, refined mouth and philo-
sophie nose, has proved his physical as
well as his ethical bravery He has re-
ceived into his body bullets of his own
troops that are SO emblematic of the mental
hurts Of his strange, swaying, passionate
race. And still his head is bloody but
unbowed."
kerensky is thirty-six years old He is
debating nations energies--a sight un-
believable In almost any other crisis than
that in which the world is finding itself
rs he the man to save Russa-from her.
self?' That question is on many lip
these days. II is said that there are two
ways out for Kerensky; that he either may
succumb to tuberculosis, with which he is
supposed TO be tainted or that reactionary
missiles may send him to the early grave
he so richly does not deserve. Those who
have talked to the man seem to think
both chances improbable They feel that
neither nature nor man can stem the
passionate
in his blood
Champion of the Poor
The Russian dictator has many attributes
likely TO endear him to popular opinion
Always inclined to favor "the little fellow"
always tending toward sympathy for the
oppressed, he not only champions the poor,
out IS known as the champion of the poor.
an almost equally important factor in a
country where suspicion Is not the excep-
ton but the rule. with his altruistlc
glfts, kerensky combines an aptitude for
speechmakng that will inevitably stand him
In good stead with people nat
urally impressonable by either good
or pad appeals to the emotions He carries
at the core Of his country-love a steadfast.
ness and ardor that have made and always
VIII make individual power exercisable for
the individuals, not the individual He is
brave witness his most recent dramatic
coup on the Brzezany front, when. under a
hail OF firing, the dictator in motorcar
drove between the contending Russians
deserters and stalwarts-and halted the
killihg or his troops by their own men, at
the expense OF wound to his person.
Kerensky comes from Tashkend. Siberia
lnterviewers describe him as of medium
height slight build and much physical ac-
tVty' In spite Of his infrmity, a serious
one, ne mas displayed the force of his mind
over the matter of his mere physique.
His discipline. his ethics, are rigid. As a
young attorney he made sustained fight in
the interests of the Jews, which at that
time was not a rosy bed for any Slavic
youngster to choose for repose. His dem
ocratlc instinct also found expression in
the defense of the workingmen and the
The first intimation the Russian
world at large got of him was when he
defended number of Siberian laborers
VINO mad been attacked by the Russian
police Siberia was frequently the scene
or bloody activity The district was well
removed from the center of Government.