Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1918-03-10
His Greatness of Character.


At the time when Kerensky, as pre-
mier, received from the workmen's and
soldiers council the order to transfer
the car and his family to Siberia he
acted in a manner which well Illus
trates the greatness of his character
Among his wsrmest supporters the
Romanoffs were hated and reviled.
There was the strongest disposition to
exemplify the triumph of democracy
in the treatment of tie deposed auto
crat and his family. kerensky chal-
lenged the btterest and most con-
temptuouS criticism in defying this
spirit. But he unhesitatingiy did SO. In
the most respectful terms he conveyed
to the car the knowledge of the action
of the council, and requested that he
might be Informed OF any request the
czar might have 10 make in connection
with the arrangements for his deporta-
ton. The car responded merely that
he would be ready to go when the time
for his departure had arrived. keren-
sky asked for an army list in order that
he might personally select the members
of the cars escort and bodyguard.
Every officer and soldier selected to ac-
company the car was one who had per-
sonally received from the hand of the
deposed ruler some honor or military
order of distinction. Most of them were
men who had at one time or another
been attached to the cars person and
been given evidences of his friendship
and favor.
kerensky personally inspected the
special train of royal carriages which
was to carry the party to Siberia and
made sure that every comfort which
was usual was provided. When the
motor cars containing the ear and his
family reached the station Kerensky
personally greeted the ear and. taking
the hand of the czarina. assisted her
with the greatest respect and with the
manner of a courtier to enter the train
On one night. in this period of Keren-
sky's career. it had been arranged that
he should speak al a certain point at
the front. addressing a large audience
composed of soldiers. most of whom
had never seen him. There occurred an
incident which, as it appears to me,
stands as a complete illustration of the
cause of kerensky's failure 10 save
Russia. A majority of the soldiers
cause The fatal leaven of bolshevikism
had circulated but little%among them.
They, or the vast majority of them,
were ready to receive Kerensky as a
hero and follow hin: to death. Before
he reached the spot where the meeting
was to occur a terrific rainstorm flood
ed the half-built roads and blocked the
progress of his motor car With his
party kerensky dismounted and pro-
ceeded on foot in the face of the drix-
ing rain and flashing lightning Thus
a committee of soldiers who had come
in search of him found him. Overcome
with their enthusiasm for the man who
would thus defy the elements in order
to keep his appointment with them.
they placed him on their shoulders and
bore him in triumph to the speaking
place -
His speech aroused the. greatest en-
thuSiasm. He could have placed him
self at the head of that army and made
his dictate equal to the law of God.
But as he finished his speech a soldier
one of the sort to whom Russia owes
her present misery and disgrace-ap-
preached the. platform.
Il am tired of war" he said. It see
nothing to be gained for me by it. I
long for my wife and children. whom
left unwiilingly at the cars COM
mand.( You say that each of US must
his own conscience and live in the
manner which guarantees him the
greatest content and happiness. l wish
to stop fighting and go to my home.
What have you to say to me ?"
Had kerensky said: Put this deluded
man in irons. he is a traitor to our
cause and an enemy to Russia" his
order would have been instantly obeyed,
and it needs no vast knowledge of hui
man nature to see what the effect of
ranks of disciplined soldiers. But that
was not Kerensky's way. His fatal hui
man weakness interviewed,
Very we'll" said he to the discon-
leave your rifle and go. You are honest.
We must recognize that. We will pay
you anyway, SO that your wife and
children may mot suffer. even if you
will not defend free Russia"
On that night there were hundreds of
assertions from among the troops that
kerensky had addressed. He placed a