New-York tribune., 1918-06-30
Commerce Department Is
Expected to Take Charge
of Relief Work
Military Help to
Depend on People
Would Follow Other AS
.sistance; Fall of Moscow
Doubted Here
Especial Dispatch to The Tribune J

WASHINGTON, June 29.-It was in
timated in an official quarter to-day
that President Wilson would assign to
the Department of Commerce the ad-
mnistration of the economic relief be-
ing planned by this government for
Russia. The Commerce Department is
said to be the best equipped and pre-
pared for taking charge of the CO.
operation America will give to the re-
construction of Russia, and could
supervise the assistance this country
would give to the rehabilitation of
Russia's railways and to the distribu-
tion of relief supplies.
In Entente diplomatic circles here it
was declared to-day that President
Wilson had not indicated to any gov
ernment any modification. of his views
respecting foreign military interven-
ton in Russia, but it was added that
the Presidents known views are such
that if the Russian people themselves
should furnish evidence Of their desire
for military as we'll as economic as
sistance, the United States would favor
any measures which might be prac-
ticable to serve Russia's needs.
1t was emphasized that economic as
sistance must necessarily precede mill
tary assistance, furnishing beforehand
proof to the Russian people that the
Allies have no desire other than Rus
sia's welfare and the defeat of the
Central Empires, but that military as
sistance just as necessarily must fol-
low, but the order in which they take
place will remove from any Russian
mind all thought Of selfish interest in
The action taken.
Fall of Moscow Doubted
The impression yesterday that the re.
ports of the fall of Moscow to com.
bined Russian and German forces and
the flight of the Bolsheviki were Ger
man inventions was confirmed TODAY
by the absence of any advices tending
to substantiate .hose reports. 1t was
considered certain that official con-
firmation would have been received had
the reports been we'll founded.
At the Russian Embassy it was de-
clared to-day that the story was fabri.
Gated because the Bolshevik power is
crumbling and its complete downfall is
imminent. 1t became known to-day that
plan had been agreed upon by the
official representatives of the Pro.
visional Government for determining
immediately after the overthrow OF
Lenine's and Trotzky's regime the will
OF the Russian people with respect to
the form of the new Russian govern.
ment
The National Constituent Assembly
wili not be directly convoked, it being
necessary first to reconstitute the Pro-
vlslonal Government, but the means of
determining the desires of the people is
Afforded in the existence of local or
CARNATIONS throughout Russia.
Instead of sudden upheaval in
tne capital. the destruction of the
holshevik power is being brought
about, 1T is said, by the non observance
o. Its authority by LEGAL soviets, which
have lost all respect for the central
leaders, and are conducting their local
analrs without reference to the Mos
COW administration.
Red Guards Disobey Orders
IN addition. the Red Guards have
ceased to obey orders from Moscow
ana are following only their own
wishes. These vital defects are hasten
ing the dissolution of the Bolsheyik
organization. ~
:, There had been fear here that should
ahe bolsheviki be overthrown anarchy
would 'uld result. but it is now declared
,nat anarchy is coexistent with the
6olsheviki. and that the Russian
masses, weary of the chimerical prom
.ses Oh the extremists, and their dis
e.ess increasing, desire the re-
Hation and the rule of law.