Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1918-05-02
RUSSIAN REVOLUTION
WAS TO Be EXPECTED
Fred M. Corse, u. v. M. 'SS and
Later Connected With Faculty,
Just Back from Petrograd,
Says Something Was Bound
to Happen

Fred M. Corse. u. v. M. 80, secretary Of
the university faculty 1SSs-1S9l and in
structor In mathematics and economies for
some years In the early COS, was with
MRS. Corse, passenger on a large steam.
snip which arrived at an American port
sunday from a neutral country. Mr..
Corse. who spent 16 years in Petrograd az
the manager Of the New York Life In
surance company and who left the former
capital with Mrs. Corse and IL other
Americans. said he was not surprised to
learn that there had been a counter.revo-
luton In Russia. 1t was inevitable. The
country was In condition Of bankruptcy
and something was bound to happen,
I'VE left Petrograd." he said, because
OF those intolerable conditions I have
spoken Of. Murder, particularly at night.
was SO common that citizens Of the peace.
ful element who valued their skins we're
only too glad to spend their evenings at
nome. Business was absolutely dead,
Nothing could be done.
THE larger and better homes of the
well-to-do were seized by the Bolsheviki
and occupants under these orders Of seiz-
ure were designated. Confiscation was tho
rule. not the exception. So. you see, there
we're many who found It difficult, or i'm
possible. to stay at home, even though
minded to do so.
I'VE had little difficulty getting out Of
Petrograd, but we were a month crossing
Finland. The fighting lines of the Reds
and Whites were strung all across that
country. In the end we managed to get
through by inducing the contenders to de-
clare a seven hour truce while we crossed
the field of fire.
THE revolutionary government which
supplanted CARBON in March, 1917, was
apparently never understood outside Of
Russia. The world was disposed to be-
lieve that because a body Of conservative
men. we'll known abroad. took over the va
rious ministerial portfolios a stable gov
eminent was assured.
1.-THE cardinal fact, however, remains
/ that from the start not a vestige Of power
was ever lodged in the various govern
ments headed by Kerensky The council
of workmens and soldiers delegates as
sumed and maintained all authority from
the day of the revolution. but did not as
sumo the responsibility Of government. or.
rather disagreement until November Z,
| 1917.
1.-THE council during the early period
Of their supremacy occupied themselves
with the disorganization and disruption
Of the army. BY June 8. 1917, at least
100000 soldiers had deserted the ranks
and were wandering aimlessly about the
country looting. pillaging and raping.
AT the present time practically the
whole Russian army has. Of its own
initiative, demobilized, and II the country
was able to express the horrors of the
present condition, the world would be
treated to one of the most narrowing
recitals of human suffering ever recorded.
Wholesale confiscation Of private prop
erty is practiced. Life is nowhere in the
country safe. When / left Petrograd the
intelligent and property classes were
openly soliciting Germany to come and
establish order. The proximity Of German
troops to the town was far less disquieting
than the growing anarchy within.
There is everywhere in Russia a great
labor upheaval. The maximum wage and
| minimum work is the order Of the day.
! The destruction Of capital Is going on at
such a rate under Bolshevist management
that if Il continues during the current year
not only will the State be bankrupt, but
years, perhaps a decade. must elapse be-
fore the country can repair the damage
done.
ut is apparent that Germany con-
templates complete political and business
domination in the whole country. The in
vestments of her subjects she has pro-
tected in the peace treaty with the Boil
sheviki, but should her contemplated
dominion of the country be realized. Ger
many will see to it that all allied invest
ments and interests are Cancelled.
after n residence in Russia of sixteen
years l am compelled to agree with many
Russians Of light and leading. whose opin-
ion I was formerly disposed to discount
that is, that the reservation of the ma.
tional integrity of the country and the
establishment of a stable government
within will be effected and maintained
only through foreign Intervention and 9
permanent foreign police control"