The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1917-05-16
RUSSIANS TRY
TO END CHAOS
Leaders More Hopeful of
Agreeing OH Course of
Unified Action.
GEN. BRUSILOFF QUITS
Hero Of Southwestern Cam
paign and Gen. GurkO Re-
sign Commands.

PErRooRAD, May Is, via London, May
l6,-ln so far as II is possible to pre-
sent any definite picture Of the whirling
is the storm centre. the situation to-day
is as follows: The conflict between the
temporary Government and the Council
OF Vorkmen's and Soldiers Deputies Is
nearer solution than II has been since
the revolution, but the disorganizatiop,
almost anarchy, has reached such pro-
portions that It seems extremely doubt
full whether any concentration Of power
in the Government or the belated recon-
Citation Of the two forces which have
been pulling In opposite directions can
recreate order out OF the presAt chaotic
conditions for considerable time at
least.
The Councils appeal to the army and
its recent decision to accept part OF the
responsibility Of government by the
formation of a coalition Ministry testify
to its willingness to cooperate with the
provisional Government. The difficulties
between the representatives OF the proie-
tariat and the Government appear to be
over
Against Separate Peace.
The Deputies have declared them
selves strongly against n separate pea "a
and In favor of conducting a vigorous
offensive war against an army which
is In the grip OF German imperialism"
They have, In fact. completely indorsed
the point OF view OF the Government.
formation TO warn the country against
the danger OF ceasing active military
operations or considering n premat ture
peace, which would sacrifice all the
country has gained by the revolution
and discredit Russia In tho ewes of the
world
But the movement among the masses.
soldiers and workingmen. who have mis-
understood the exhortations OF their rep
resentatives and have far outs,ripped
the most advanced ideas OF their Social
| istic leaders. has gained such impetus
that 1t Will not easily follow the altered
course Of the Deputies
The extreme seriousness OF the situa-
ton was emphasized when II became
Known here to-day that just before the
resignation OF the Provisional Minister
OF War. Gen. Guchkoff, WAS announced
yesterday. Gen. Alexis Brusiloff, com
mander In chief of the Russian armies
on the southw estern front. and Gen.
Gurko, the commander on the Russian
western front, asked to be relieved OF
their commands. The designations OF
these two army officers will be consid-
cred after the successor OF Gen. Ouch
koff has been appointed.
kerensky May Accept.
The Council OF Ministers met until late
last night 10 consider the reorganization
OF the Cabinet. to provide for the en-
trance into that body OF popular repre-
sentanves. II was decided 20 accent the
| recommendation of the Council Of Depu-
ties. 1t is regarded as extremely likely
| that A. f. kerensky will take the post
OF Minister of War, and that his present
position. that of Minister of Justice. will
be filled by new representative OF the
Social Democratic party. Definite action,
however. will await the meeting of the
executive committee of the Council with
the temporary Government.
NJ. Guchkof's resignation as War Min
ister. though frowned upon by other
members OF the Ministry. Is signiticant OF
the general feeling among all the army
officers. whose authority has been com
pletely destroyed by the reference OF all
their orders to the soldiers councils.
| which decide whether the orders of their
! commanders will be obeyed NJ. Ouch
koT said In an interview regarding his
resignation:
Il left my post to make the present
crisis mature as quickly as possible Tn
III thS crisis Is past we can do nothing.
! informed the other Ministers last week
that We were on the eve OF Il catastrophe.
II was useless for me to remain when
|
gsnizations. There Is displeasure among
all the commanders at tho Interference
| OF certain organizations in their work.
/ The crisis has placed the Government I'm
"A position from which there Is no exit.
but trust that with my resignation the
crisis will pass
soldiers Misunderstand.
NJ. Tseretelli. adopting new tone in
! his address 10 the Council OF Workmen's
and Soldiers Delegates yesterday. COM
mented upon the mistaken ideas held by
I the soldiers. They believe" he said
that an advance at the front carries
with it the idea of imperialism. and 50
refuse 10 bulge from the trenches They
! nlisunderstand the whole idea OF peace
! To them the struggle for peace and the
moment to begin negotiations mean the
same thing Germany has transferred
most of her troops 10 the western front
| II Is our duty to prevent this"
! The Executive Committee of the Coun-
Gil. after discussing the internal stua-
ton In Russia, decided by Al votes
against 10 TO favor the participation OF
Representatives. OF Socialist parties in
the provisional Government Before
voting In favor OF the participation of
the Socialists In the provisional Govern.
| ment representatives of the General
Staff visited the Executive Committee of
the Workmen's and Soldiers Deputies
and spoke most earnestly of the serious
ness OF the situation.
Appeal Made Abroad.
The Council OF Workmen's and Sol.
diers' Delegates Issued an appeal to the
Socialists OF Germany and Austria 10
prevent their troops from being hurled
against the western front In order to
crush France and then dash on to Rus
STA. The appeal concludes as follows.
The democracy OF the revolution OF
Russia appeals to the Socialists OF Aus,
tria and 'Germany. You cannot allow
oupGovernments to be tho executioners
of Russian liberty. You cannot allow
your Governments. taking advantage OF
the Joy evoked In the Russian army by
liberty and fraternity. to huri thelr
| tro,ps ooto fhe tar, %rnpt Ia, tho q -