Evening star., 1918-01-27
SHOWING D|STRUST
Of THE b0[SHEV|K|
Russian People Demoralized
by Disssensions, Armed
Masses Near Anarchy.
IIMPEcT IN hIIcTPIhM kPMy
UNREST IN AUSTRIAN ARMY
BY HAROLD WILLIAMS. -.
Cnblegrnm to The Sunday Star and
New York Times. Copyright, 1918.

| New York Times. Copyright, 1918.
PETROGRAD, January 25.-While the
| armed masses, particularly the sailors
and the Red Guards, are showing dan
gerous symptoms of anarchical in
subordination. there is among the
workingmen a strong revulsion OF
feeling against the bolsheviki. Dur
ing the last few days large meetings
have been held in a number of fac
tories where the women voted no con-
fidence in the bolsheviki and decided to
recall their representatives from the
soviet and demand the disbandment of
the Red Guard
That is one of the direct results of
Fridays shooting and the dissolution
of the constituent assembly. At the
same time the bolsheviki are daily dis
covering fresh conspiracies and ar
resting people right and left.
In Minsk and other towns the boil
sheviki have suffered a complete set
back. They claim, however, a number
of military successes against the
Ckrainians. including the capture of
Sarny. Poltava and a strip of terri
tory separating the Ukraine from the
Don Cossack country. They also an
territory by regiments of the Caucasian
army.
Austrian Army Demoralized.
I learn from officers who have re-
turned from the Southwestern front
that the Austrian army there Is in a
state of Generalization closely re-
sembling that now prevailing in the
Russian army. Travellers from Ru-
mania report the Rumanian army
standing firm. while among the Bull
garians, Austrians and Germans op-
posed to them there is a complete COL
lapse of discipline.
The reports of strikes and disturb
ances in Austria have encouraged the
bolsheviki, who see in this movement
the beginning of that world revolution
which 1t is their object TO promote.
They also anticipate that it will facili-
tate their peace negotiations, which
nave now reached deadlock.
Having abolished the constituent as
sembly. the bolshevik government has
promptly provided a substitute. The
ali-Russian conference of soyiets has
been opened and described by Chair
man Sverdloff in his opening speech as
"the constituent assembly of the So
Wet republic"
All the bolshevik delegates elected to
the constituent assembly are also mem
oers OF the soviet conference. A total
of 625 delegates had registered an
nour before the opening Of the con-
ference.
Confronted by Grave Tasks.
Grave tasks lie before the delegates,
They will have to decide on the prin-
cipal basis for future negotiations with
Germany and whether the Brest-Li-
tovsk conversations will be abandoned
or the enemy's proposals accepted. The
conference must also approve the fun
damental laws of the new soviet.
Inc conference meets in Taurida
Paiace. The session hall was packed
with delegates, of whom at least nine
tenths were bolshevik and other sup
porters of the Leninite government. A
thin wedge of malcontents was almost
unnoticed in the crush. The galleries
were crammed with soldiers, many Of
whom were armed.
The conduct Of the meeting indicated
that the organizers had mastered the
technique of enthusiasm. Two bands in
the gallery blared out The MarseiIlaise''
and The 1nternationale" at appropriate q
moments. once all those present rose to
their feet and sang Eternal Memory
In honor of the victims of the reyoIl,-
tionary movement.
Particularly interesting was the recep-
t1on accorded to Chickerin and Petroff.
Just released from internment in Eng
lano. Ihe former has already been APP
pointed assistant minister of foreign af-
1alrs. He Is not distinguished orator
SO MS denunciation Of British imperial
ism left the audience comparatively cool.
Petron, on the other hand, received a
great ovation.
American. Swiss, Norwegian and Ru-
manian speakers of internationalist
views were also warmly received and
Trotzky replied for the government in
mis- usual fiery intransigeant manner. A
characteristic touch was his referenca -
the speech of the Rumanian Socialist
RaAovsky complains that the Ru-
nranian minister only spent twenty-four
nours IN prison. Well. we can soon put
that right" NN>
Crowds Anxious and Irritable.
The feeling of the crowds in tba
streets has heen narrnus an.i.,.. )