New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-06-04
Kronstadt Will Be Outlawed
Unless 1t Yields, Minister Says
Young Dictator Of the Fortress City Plans Establish
Democratic State There Model for
Other Districts of Russia

'cil of Deputies, which D. the only au-
thority Kronstadt now recognizes.
Kronstadt's master is a smooth-faced,
dark-haired. soft-eyed man IN stu
dents uniform. He is magnetic and
ready Of speech. lie gained fame be
fore the revolution by the delivery Of
striking lectures to workmen. in which
he gave vent to bitter satire and dar-
ing innuendocs against sutocracy. La
manOif aims at being a Napoleon and a
Rousseau at the same time, combining
a resolute government with the propa-
cation Of novel political and soclal
ideas. His programme consists o. the
subdivision of Russia into innumerablc
petty centres ruled by local groups OF
soldiers and workmen's deputies and
united only in the loosest way by d
congress of representatives Of the local
councils sitting in Petrograd.
That" said Lamanof. "is the i'm
port Of our declaration that for kron-
stadt the Provisional Government does
not exist. We reject a federation as
too close a union for a genuine democ-
racy. We intend Kroustadt 10 be a
model for all Russia. and expect that
other centres Will soon follow our OK
ample. Our vote repudiating Petrograd
is not the result of any quarrel with
the ministers, against whom wc have no
specific complaint. Il is merely the CON
crete expression Of n new idea for de-
mocracy.'
Asked whether Kronstadt expects "a
collision with the Provisional Govern
mcnt, Lamanof answered
"No. On June II there viii meet the
Pan Russian congress of delegates OF
the councils Of deputies from all quar-
tiers. This congress, in my opinion,
provides the nucleus or skeleton for
Russia's future administration. Until
IL meets the pctrograd ministers will
hardly venture TO take measures against
Us. Remember that Independent kron-
stadt does not stand for the complete
dissolution of the empire. but the bonds
must be extremely tenuous. Locally
our programme is strong govern
menj. Here is the first instance
Lamanof then produced a decree
signed By himself on Wednesday or
derirg the immediate arrest and dis
patch to the front Of every male found
intoxicated.
Il have already arrested several men
who had become intoxicated from
methylated spirits" he announced. I'VE
shall show them no mercy
Lamauof proceeded TO boast Of the
complete order hat prevailed I'm the
town and of how its streets were the
cleanest in Russia. On asking him If
he had the naserial power for the on
forcemcnt Of his schemes, he replied
shat his own brother. Peter Lamanof,
mere Lieutenant i'm rank. had been ap-
pointed commander Of all the sailors
and marines I'm kronstadt.
"ln my becoming president COM
tiuued Lamanof, "kronstadts policy
toward the war remains unchanged.
The forts are in q better defensive con-
dition than ever. and it is not true that
the men arc insufliciently Differed. All
the technical commands are now held
by expert officers but many high fight
ing commands are held by plain sol
diers, who work admirably, as the Off
GERS themselves admit.
you may deny any reports that
Kronstadt intends taking provocative.
unpatriotic action. If the Germans
come they will get a warm reception
VI. Tchernof. Minister of Agriculture,
and VI. Tsere;elli, Minister Of Posts and
TelegraphS, are going to KronStadt
with view TO arranging a settlement
of the difficulty existing between the
members Of the workmen's and soldiers
delegates and the government.