Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-05-01
RUSS|A,STR0NC
At TER REVOLT,
WILL NOT QUIT
This Is Assurance New
Democracy's Minister of
Justice Sends to U. S.
ARMY IS REUNITED TO
WIN FOR HUMANITY

Petrograd, April %. Minister or
Justice Kerensky gave to representa-
tive Of The Associated Press today a
clear presentation Of the present status
of political and economic affairs In the
country and. with the aid Of concrete
facts, contradicted the assertions and
rumors Of alarming disorganization in
the army and factories, generally cir
culated and credited in Petrograd in
the last few weeks. The minister said !:
"It is commonly alleged that we
have no power to enforce authority.
This idea originates from the fact that
we decided that we can better attain
our ends without use of force or rigid
authority.
LENINE DtscREDiTs HIMSELF.
For instance we might have arrest.
ed Lenine but we have accomplished
far more by allowing him absolute free
dom of speech and action. The result
is that he Is fully discredfted and has
actually done an unfntentional service
to his country by the reduction Of the
views Of himself and hts adherents to
absurdity.
"Most of the weakness attributed to
the present government are the &C
cumulated deficiencies Of the old re-
gime, whose burdens We have to bear.
All these weaknesses were stIrd1ly
concealed by the old government and
little was said of them. In the new
era of democratic freedom these faults
are frankly acknowledged but they are
the fruit Of the ineff1ciency OF the past.
DESERTIONs SHOW DECREASE.
"You hear stories Of the tremendous
number of deserters from the front, as
If desertion was a new and unheard OF
crime in Russia Yet before the revo-
luton more than 100000 cases Of de-
sertion were reported every year. Com
pare that with the present facts. Just
after the revolution, number OF sol
diers did leave their positions and re-
turn home, but desertion has ceased
and kilograms have been received from
all points In Russia that large bodies
of deserters are asking permission to
return to the front and protect the
country against the possibility OF a
German advance.
Gaps in the ranks were filled long
ago by returning soldiers, who went
back not because they were compelled
but because the spirit which directed
the revolution was desire to save the
country. The army now actually Is
stronger than ever and 1t is moved by
new impulses-enthusiasm and de-
sire to fight"
MUNfTION OUTPUT INCREASED.
Minister Kerensky said that despite
all assertions to the contrary the fac.
tories are putting out more ammunition
hoforo tho pdvnyUtipn
Under the old regime he said,
1.-THE output diminished month by
month but now is steadily increasing.
The spirit among the working men Is
excellent. They are represented by
their council of deputies and this body
Is in complete harmony with the gov
eminent There can be no talk Of dr.
vided power, for this council IS local
which will exert influence
only so long as It adheres to the ideals
born in the revolution. The moment
that any governing body deviates from
the ruling principle Of democratic free
dom it will collapse This sinsleness
of purpose prevents any possibility OF
duality Of power"
WILSON'S TERMS APPROVED.
Regarding peace the minister said:
Russia wants peace on the terms
by President Wilson The
revolution and the entrance of the
United States into the war have some
what changed the objects for which we
are fighting. We want peace restored
without annexation or indemnity ano
favor a conference with the allies to de.
termine how this can be attained"
WOMEN GET BALLOT.
Womans suffrage has come quietly
and unostentatiously to Russia. The
provisional government has not yet
officially announced its full views on
the subject. but individual ministers
have stated that it is decided thss
women will vote at both the municipal
and rural councils elections. and also
in the elections for the general con-
stitutfonal assembly.
Universal suffrage for women will
be curious and interesting expert
ment in Russia From the mass of
peasant women fully intelligent voting
can scarcely be expected at present,
but no doubt for them the vote will
be highly stimulating and educa;ive
The men voters do not
fnaf wpp,op ~ fh;s oI,., Ill,