The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-12-05
GERMANY HAS A
fine CHANCE TO
Be A DEMOCRACY
So Says Alexander Kerensky,
Former Russian Premier
In Statement, Made in London
to United Press.
FAR BETTER THAN RUSSIA
All Effort Turned to Internal
Reconstruction Work.
No Propaganda Working; Food
Is ObtainabIe Now.
FAR BETTER THAN RUSSIA

Copyright. 1918, by the United Press.l
London, Dec. 5.-'If Russia had
Germany's present opportunity it
should now be a great democracy like
America" Alexander Kerensky, former
Russian premier, declared in an in
terview with the United Press today.
in which he drew comparison be-
tween the Russian and the German
revolutionists.
II believe the German revolution,
altho started under similar conditions
and with similar aims to the Russian
revolution, will be able to avert Boil
shevism.
There are three striking features
in which the two differ.
First, owing to peace having been
attained, Germany can devote her en-
tire effort to internal reconstruction
instead of being compelled, like Rus
STA, to defend herself simultaneously
from the foe.
Second. Germany is subjected to no
powerful, hostile internal propaganda.
Can Secure Food.
third if starvation actually threat
ems, Germany can get the allies to
help. Russia had nobody to aid her.
These spell the difference between
success and failure and tell the story
of Russia's tragedy. If Russia had
Germany's present opportunity she
would now be a great democracy like
America.
when the. old regime was over
thrown, Russia had to fight an out
side foe with one hand and do the
best she could to build up herself with
the other. AS a result she was unable
to perfect a new economic and politi-
cal structure sufficiently strong to
withstand the strain.
Propaganda in Army.
sarTba R11sSian army wa xyorr, fey,
with German propagandists. As an
example of this, every time I iSSued
an order while preparing for the July
offensive,- Rupprecht appealed to the
Russians not to obey. These appeals
were widely circulated. At the same
nally, and their cumulative impact
agair st Russian morale was tremen-
dous.
Russia faced starvation single
handed, and fell down because it was
physically impossible for her to meet
the situation unaided. If a similar
food crisis arises in Germany, the lat
ter has the right under the armistfce,
to appeal to the allies, in which event
the allies should respond for their Ow:'
protection against Bolshevism. There
fore, Germany is not INSTRUCTED by
any of the great obstacles which
caused Russia's failure"
The former premier, sitting IN the
parlor of a friends house in the Sc
cluded Cambridge Stairs terrace and
speaking French, paused for mo-
ment. He had greatly aged in ap-
pearance since last saw him in June.
When he resumed speaking, his voice
was tense with earnestness.
Germany May Split.
Germany probably has turbulent
days ahead and may split up. but
do not believe she will be subjected
to the supreme tragedy, like Russia.
81 believe the German revolution is
sincere. 1 do not believe it is possible
to 'hippodrome' tthe nearest trans
lation of his term) on such scale.
Furthermore it must be remembered
that the personnel of the German
army has been completely altered
since 1914 when so per cent of the Of
ficess were aristocrats. Now there
are only twenty per cent"
Again he paused. Then, smiling
quietly he said:
"Of course. it is difficult for me to
speak dispassionately of Germany,
which wronged the entire world. then
Supremacy wronged Russia by robbing
her of a chance to become a new ma
ton.
Hopes to Go Back.
NO. I do not desire to return to
Russia as the head of the government.
Perhaps later 1 will go back as a pri-
vate citizen. 1 hope so. My wife and
two boys-aged s and 11-are now
held in Moscow as hostages. 1 do
not think the Bolsheviks will permit
them to leave. so I want to go to
them -