Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1919-01-16
EXPLAINS HOW u. S. SOLDIERS
COULDHELPRUSSIA TO HER FEET
Kolchak, In Interview, Defines
Three Distinct Political Groups In Coun-.
try and Discusses Destiny of Nation.


OMSk, Central Siberia, Monday,
January 13-"The destiny of Russia
can be decided only by a national
constituent assembly. Whether the
future of Russia is a monarchy or the
most radical republic does not concern
the present government" was the
striking utteTance of Admiral Kol-
chalk. confirming his statement that
the people will be given opportunity
to register their desires by signing in
the presence of the correspondent
historic document proclaiming an all
Russian national election at the
earliest practicable moment
Later he informed representatives
of the entente powers that the Rus
sian government desired the trans
siberian railway to be turned over to
an international technical commission
over which John F. Stevens would be
chairman.
Admiral Kolchak said he was
anxious that the American people
should alter their conception of his
program of reconstruction, adding
that the work of the dictator is liable
to cause misunderstanding He then
proceeded to Justify the coup by which
he gained control of Omsk-
The interview took place in the
overlooking the frozen Irish river
Admiral Kolchak is smooth shaver
and there is meiancholic repose in his
determined features, which are Hum
ined when he talks and distinctly
recall sculptural conceptions or
Roman senators.
He appears to be about sixty years
of age He was suffering from bron-
chitis. which he contracted by insist
ing on reviewing troops while without
his coat, because so many insuff1clentiy
clothed soldiers pass his house He
gives the general impression of man
of power and of iron will.
Two Russian Necessities.
He explained that the two great
necessities of Russia are the creation
of an army and the destruction of
bolShevism.
He considered that a directorate
over the country was not feasible,
first, because the military situation de-
manded that power be placed in the
hands of one man, and second some
memb ers were partisan and used their
influence to disorganiZe the army.
He pointed out that different dictators
in history were usually military lead
ers who proclaimed themselves dicta-
tors. He, on the contrary, was chosen
by his colleagues for the sole object of
leading Russia through her crisis. He
is delegating civil matters entirely to
colleagues. His power is temporary
and when order is restored and the
crisis is passed he will, he says, retire
and leave everything to the represent
atives of the people.
Friends of Admiral ko1chak give
him the title of constitutional dicta-
tor
That sounds strangely contradic-
tory, doesn't it?" Admiral kolchak re-
marked, with a laugh. But there it
is and think it best sums up the sit
uation."
He said that his aim in uniting
Russia would be to cooperate with
responsible leaders. like Gen. Dene-
kline.
Three Groups in Russia.
Discussing the internal political
situation, he explained that there
were three clearly defined groups in
the country. First, the people sup
porting the government in its efforts
to reconstruct Russia along constitu-
tional lines. and. with suitable help
from America and the allies. to ami
hilate bolshevism; second. the reac-
tionary element, which is avowedly
monarchy, and third, the revolutionary
socialists, who might at any time fall
back into bolshevism.