The Washington herald., 1919-04-28

low was not of an aristocratic fam
lily or brought UP in exclusive sur
roundings. His knowledge of men
and affairs was gained at first hand.
His contact with the Russian mou-
jik and laborer was close. Himself
of reckless valor. he came to love
the ussian peasant-soldier for his
disdain Of death.
Upon our arrival at Petrograd we
all went together to the Winter
Palace. Kornilov entered Kerensky's s
study first, leaving us to wait in the
ante e-chamber. 1t was a long wait
for Rodzianko and me. Kornilov
remained locked up with Kerensky
for two whole hours, and our ears
bore witness to the storminess of
the session inside. When the COM
mander in chief finally emerged from
the Office his face was flushed.
Rodzianko and I were admitted
next. Kerensky was visible agitat-
ed. He said that he had not ex-
pected me to carry out his errand
in such a manner. / did not do the
right thing. he declared.
Perhaps / am guilty towards you.
Gospodin Minister" I replied. But
/ acted according to my conscience.
the country"
Rodzianko then addressed Keren-
sky in some such manner:
'Botchkareva reports from the
front that both men and officers are
turning fast against you: the Of
ficers because OF the destruction OF
discipline, the men because of their
desire to 80 home. Now, see what's
becoming of the army. 1t is going
to pieces. II the soldiers could
have allowed a group Of women and
officers to perish. then the situa-
ton Is critical. Something must be
done Immediately. Give untrammel-
ed authority in the army to Kor-
nilov, and he will save the front.
And you remain the head of the
government, to save us from Boil
shevism.''
Joined Rodzianko in his plea.
I'VE are rapidly nearing an abyss.
I urged. "and IL will soon be too
late. Kornilov is an honorable man,
II convinced myself. Let him save
the army now. so that people shall
not say afterwards that Kerensky
destroyed the country" .
This will not happen" he cried
out, banging his fist on tho table.
II know what ] am doing"
You are destroying Russia" ex-
claimed Rodzianko angered by Ker-
ensky's arrogance. The blood OF
the country will be on your head"
Kerensky turned red. then white
as a corpse. His appearance fright
ened me. thought he would top
pie over dead.
Get outw he shrieked. beside
himself, pointing toward the door
Get out of here"
Rodzianko and l moved to the exit
At the door Rodzianko stopped for
a moment turned his head and flung
a few caustic words at the minister.
Kornilov was waiting for us in
the ante-room. We drove to Rod
zianko's home for luncheon. There
KorniIov related to us the substance
of his conference with Kerensky'
He had told him that the soldiers
were deserting the front in droves
and that those who remained were
useless. as they visited the German
trenches every night and came back
drunk in the morning. The frater-
nization had extended to the entire
front A whole Austrian regiment
well provided with liquor. come over
to our trenches at one point and a
debauch followed. Kornilov repeat
ed the experience of my battalion
from official reports that reached
him and declared that numerous in
quiries from officers were coming to
him daily. seeking instructions. But
what instructions could he give?
He had to seek instructions himself
from Kerensky.
, At tbis Doipt the minister asknd
him what was to be done, and he
replied that capital punishment must
be re-esta blished. that the commit
tees must be abolished. that the
comma nder-in- chief must be given
the full authority to disband units
and execute agitators and rebels