New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-09-09
Kerensky Cuts
Power of Council
Over Petrograd
All Civil Authority Vested
in Special High Com
mission
Kornilof in Command
Capital to Go Under Martial
Law if Germans Threaten
the City
Kornilof in Command

Kerersky. SubordinateS all military
elements in The city and district to
General Kornloff. ommander-in-chief,
and all civil authorities to the special
high administration. or commission.
Importance was attached to the meas-
rrs here for two reasons. the first
bsirc the German threat of marching
upon PetroCrad the other being the par
tsl Givcrccmcnt Of the civil admin
is,ration from the Council Of Work
mons and Soldiers Deputies. and also
me end Of the councils interference
with military affairs at the capital.
II was believed that if Germany re-
yssls a purpose of conQuerinG Petro-
Grad. martial law Will be proclaimed
there. 8 measure which would bring 20
an end the Prescriptions Of the council
10 rule the city, and TO participate in
the executive management Of the ma
ion. Step by step, the Provisional
Government is driving the council from
Is position of Self-constitUted author
j,y, but the government Is not vet
considered sufficiently strong TO defy
openly the power of the workingmen's
oTganlZatoN.
Newspaper Predicts Clash
4 warning to the council. published
By the "Noyoe Nremya,' one OF the
most influential papers in Russia,
which depicts the situation as affected
by the council. has been received here.
II foresces "a possible clash between
the council and the government, say
ing:
The great Russian revolution is the
result Of the effort Of the whole Rus
sian people. and not only of this gen
Grafton alone, but Of our forebears
who struggled and laid down their
lives IN the cause of freedom. In the
short struggle which overthrow the
old government, the place Of honor
belongs 10 the workers and the Council
of Worsmen's and Soldiers Deputies.
In It's energy the executive committee
of the Duma. which in the first DAYS
of the revolution was the central point
Of the movement of the people and the
army found support in a strong motive
power. This service on the part Of
the council is recognized by grateful
people.
Danger in Councils Policy
ave consider that its existence was
necessary for the complete triumph Of
the revolution and the consolidation Of
freedom. Ii enjoys the confidence Of
tae workers and offers the possibility
Of giving forms Of organization TO the
chaos which has arisen among them.
In the future, too, apparently, the d.
rect.on of the Socialist movement VIII
remain I'm their hands. Nevertheless,
the Couuci. of WOrkmen's Delegates,
by giving way 10 suggestions which are
foreign 20 its trGe position IN the
state, may do the cause of freedom IN
calculaDle harm.
"The Council Of Workmen's Deputies
has laid down a new tccory OF state
rights. IL maintains that the powers
of the Provisional Government are de-
fined By the agreement Of the commit
tee Of the DUma and the Counc'' Of
Workmer's and Soldiers Deputies.
Therefore, to the council. as the lncar-
nation Of the revolution, belongs the
right Of ccusor.ug the actions Of the
government, and, even higher right
still, that of countering those orders Of
the government which are not in agree
ment with the councils views.
at the same time the council main
tains that any hindrance 70 the Pro
visiOna. Government is not their buSl-
ness.
Power Now in Peoples Hands
"Who can agree with the views here
laid down? The chief power in the
state does not belong to the Provlslona!
Government, because it was put in their
hands by chance organizations. On the
20 er -" j So. s.s so
chief power in the state returned COM
pletely 70 the hands of the people not
only 20 the revolutionary organizations,
but the whole revolutionary nation,
takenaS a whole.
ION the deposition Of the Emperor
and the abdication Of Michael Alex
androvltch we recognize only one SOW
erelgn. This sovereign is not the popu-
latlOn of the capital, nor its garrlsoS
and workers, nor vet their representa-
tiyes chosen hastily and at random
but the revolutionary nation, taken as
whole.
100000 Of free citizens. with full rights
Of citizenship, who, taken IN their en-
tirety, WELD the sovereign power OF the
state
"The sovereignty of the people IS the
true source of the power OF the fIo-
ylslonal Government.
What is the true spirit and mean
ing of the revolution? It is the free
dom of the spoken and printed word
and the voluntary subsection OF lndl-
y!duals TO the general will OF the ma
ton. Those who fail 20 recognize these
principles are not true TO the spirit OF
the revolution. Though they raise the
red flag Of revolution, In reality tneE
are living i'm the conditions and menta!
habits Of the old order, which lell
through its contempt of freedom ana
right.
Councils Great Powers
"The Council Of Workmen's Deputies
has under the present conditions great
practical possibilities. il can suppress
the new spapers- and IL does so. II can
suppress the whole press Of the capt.
tai, except its own news. On some days
this is the course Of action. II can
even widen its sphere Of activity on
these lines. 1t is Influenced, not by the
enlightened spirit Of revolutionary iree-
dom, but by the spirit Of the old au-
tocracy, which could not bear contra
diction.
an the moment of change all laws
are broken. But in order TO complete
the change the fundamental principles
Of the revolution freedom Of speech
and subOrGiuation TO the supreme
power of the nation must quickly pc
come law 10 those who honor the sa-
cred things of the revolution. Othef-
wise we shall go on living I'D an Amos
phere Of injustice or violence Just a.
before. Even strong heads are turned
by getting the supreme power into tn ne.
hands for practical purposes. ne
holders Of this power begin TO thlnh
. themselves infallible judges. supreme
dispensers OF the nations fate, an IN
earnation Of the autocratic will ., -.