South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-01-20

will be an attempt to assert their
supreme control of affairs. They
may dissolve the assembly f0rcibly,
or reorganize it TO give themselves
the mastery
The next reports from Petrograd
may tell OF more fighting among
the factions.
| Associated Press Service
PETROGRAD, Jan. 19.-M
Tchernoff, elected chairman of the
constituent assembly the social rev.
| olutiOnists declared today that the
I constituent assembly should inn
mediately call a conference Of all
the entente allies to consider wat
aims.
NJ. Tchernoff granted an interview
| to the correspondent during the
midnight recess.
What do you think Of the sit
uation?' he was asked
do you think the bolshevili will
dissolve the constituent assembly,"
NO" said the chairman, "I ID
not think they viii do that before
the congress of the workmen's ami
soldiers deputies assemblies. In the
meantime they viii try to find
way out Of their Embarrassment and
continue their session.
You desire 20 discuss peace first.
What is your program regarding
, that question:
Would Call Entente Conference.
Our party's position on the ques-
nF
ent assembly should Immediately
call a conference of all the entente
allies to consider the aims Of the
war We expect that at such a con-
ference they would state clearly and
most explicitly their aims and
would try 10 harmonic them with
| the democratic principles of the
Russian revolution"
do you think Russia would con-
tinue the war if Germany refuses
peace OF democratic terms?" VI.
Tchernon was asked.
He replied:
Could Hold German Troops.
Everybody says that Russia can
not fight because Of the extreme
state Of Reorganization. All know
on the western front. But Russia
can act as magnet 10 draw Ger
man forces and prevent their being
thrown over to the western front.
The Russian army may retreat, but
in doing so, will benefit the allies
by diverting the Germans deeper
and deeper into Russian territory.
which would be no gain for them"
At this stage the interview was in
terrupted by several members of
the constituent assembly who urged
the chairman 10 resume the ses-
sion
BOlsheviki Lose First Test
The long delayed constituent as
sembly was opened today. ON the
first test of strength the boisheviki
were defeated by the social revolu-
tionists. NJ TchernOff. minister of
agriculture in the Kerensky gov
eminent, and the nominee Of the
social revolutionists Of the right for
chairman OF the assembly. was
elected by a vote Of 244 20 151. The
candidate OF the bolshevili was
Maria Spiridonovo long a promi-
nent revolutionist. who was releas- /
ed from exile in Siberia after the
overthrow Of the BOmanO0s.
The opening Of the assembly was
set for noon but controversy over
restrictions caused delay until four
O'Clock Slightly more than 400
members We're i'm their seats OF
those the bolsheviH and the social
revolutionists of the left. who are
working together. have about $50.
votes and the social revolutionists /
Of the center and right the re-
mainder
A proposal 70 have the Oldest
delegate, who was social revolu- (
zionist, preside. was howIed down. (
VI. Sverdlon read declaration +
from the congress of workmen's
and soldiers delegates. demandIns I
that the constituent assembly ap-
prove bolsheSiki laws concerning
peace and land. This was applaud
ed loudly by the bolshevili dele F.
gates. and booted by the right and I
socialists. Delegates belongins 10
the constitutional democratic party I
were absent from the opening ses- +
sion.
Demonstration slight
The threatened demonstration 4
against bolsheviki control OF the
opening session o. the ASSEMBLY
were confined 20 parades OF small
groups Of men and women These
groups were composed Of we'll
fCONTTNT-rD To pAcr E.OTrp,