CHAPTER IV. THE PROVISIONAL GOVERNMENT: PREMIERSHIP OF KERENSKY THE MINISTERIAL CRISIS OF JULY 1917-RESIGNATION OF THE CADET MINISTERS THE BOLSHEVIK DEMONSTRATION-BREAKDOWN OF THE OFFENSIVEFORMATION OF THE KERENSKY MINISTRY-THE NATIONAL CONFERENCE AT Moscow-THE FALL OF RIGA July 19 From the Ambassador in Russia (tel.) 1532 July 19 From the Ambassador in Russia (tel.) Cadet Ministers resign: causes, 159 concessions to Ukraine, or wish to be relieved of responsibility for present situation. Bolshevik demonstration follows 159 Kerensky's order to discipline two regiments. Trotsky advocates violent measures. Petrograd the scene of engagements between Bolsheviks and loyal troops. Government now control. 160 in 161 Quiet prevails in Petrograd, guarded by troops from the front. Other Ministers resign; Lvov remains Premier. Evidence shows Bolsheviks received German money. All-Russian Congress of Soviets of Workmen's and Soldiers' Deputies is stronger than Government. Bolsheviks, surrendering strongholds after disorders, term the incident a proof of their power. Kerensky demands that workmen be disarmed. Secret manufacture of arms is reported. Lvov resigns as Premier in favor of Kerensky. Leading Bolsheviks, including Lenin, arrested and certain regiments disbanded. Foreign Minister states that Soviet of Workmen's and Soldiers' Deputies yields to Provisional Government. Capital punishment restored in army. Lack of power by Provisional Government. Results of Bolshevik uprising to overthrow Government and defeat its war policy. Foreign Minister reports the situation at the front and the arrest of Bolsheviks. Plans for Moscow conference. Kerensky empowered to appoint new Ministry. Bolsheviks prosecuted. Many desire Kerensky to be dictator. New Ministry will be composed of socialists and non-socialists and will be supported by Soviet of Workmen's and Soldiers' Deputies. 161 162 163 163 164 164 170 170 171 172 174 175 Α 175 Foreign Minister gives assurance of continuing the war in spite of difficulties during reconstruction of army and government. Kerensky resigns because opposed to dictation by Soviet of Workmen's and Soldiers' Deputies. Kornilov grows in public esteem. In selecting new Ministry, Kerensky will refuse dictation by his party. Food scarcity prevails and danger of riots. Members of Ministry named. committee will be charged with the conduct of the war. After all-night session of representatives of Duma, Ministry, Cadets, and Soviet of Workmen's and Soldiers' Deputies, Kerensky is given power to form Ministry without reporting to Soviet. Sends copy of telegram from Foreign Minister announcing new cabinet and its independence from the Soviet of Workmen's and Soldiers' Deputies. A Committee of National Defense planned. is At postponed Moscow conference called by Government, criticism of Government expected. Greetings to the Moscow conference of people of the United States, confident of ultimate triumph of democracy. 174 176 177 177 1663 Aug. 25 From the Ambassador in Russia (tel.) 1673 Further report on Moscow conference: Kornilov well received; Cadets will support Provisional Government. 179 1685 179 1666 Aug. 26 From the Ambassador in Russia (tel.) Aug. 27 From the Ambassador in Russia (tel.) Aug. 30 From the Ambassador in Russia (tel.) Sept. 5 From the Russian Ambassador Firmer policy in army discipline; death penalty restored in ranks. Presents Foreign Minister's account of the Moscow conference: effort toward unity of parties; no doubt of continuing war. 180 THE KORNILOV EPISODE-THE DEMOCRATIC CONFERENCE AT PETROGRAD— THE SECOND KERENSKY MINISTRY-JOINT NOTE OF THE ALLIED GOVERNMENTS, OCTOBER 9, 1917-THE PRELIMINARY PARLIAMENT (COUNCIL OF THE REPUBLIC)-KERENSKY'S PRESS INTERVIEW ON RUSSIA'S PART IN THE WAR Reports demand that Kerensky 186 Allied chiefs' offer of good offices Kornilov surrenders. Objections of Action of Allied chiefs is published. 187 188 190 190 191 191 Laborers and soldiers take over 192 Provisional Government proclaims 192 193 Presents Foreign Minister's account The Provisional Government: Premiership of Kerensky-Continued No. Date From and to whom 1917 724 Sept. 18 To the Ambassador in Russia (tel.): from Gompers 1774 Sept. 19 From the Ambassador in Russia (tel.) 1797 Sept. 24 From the Ambassador in Russia (tel.) 1804 Sept. 26 From the Ambassador in Russia (tel.) Message from American Federation of Labor to Russia, advising patience, and urging union of democracies against autocracy. Kerensky is commander in chief. In interim before new cabinet, committee of five governs. Changes in Ministry as a concession to Soviet. Trotsky's attack on Kerensky. Proposed removal of Government to Moscow. Kerensky and Tereshchenko will resign if Soviet dominates Ministry. Lenin elected delegate to conference by Petrograd Soviet. Transmits draft of note from Allied Governments to Russia urging that military situation be remedied. Requests instructions as to signing. Quotes message from Stockholm on state of anarchy in Russia and requests views. Triumph of Kerensky over Bolsheviks in national conference at Petrograd. Discussion of personnel of Ministry. 194 194 195 195 196 198 199 Meeting called to protest against America's treatment of Alexander Berkman. 199 Requests facts of Berkman's crime and prosecution, and comments on Bolshevik propaganda. 200 200 Coalition Ministry formed in accord with sentiment of conference; Kerensky victory, Bolshevik defeat. Inquiry concerning joint note of Allied Governments will be answered at earliest moment. At protest meeting resolutions adopted demanding of the United States release of Goldman and Berkman. Bolsheviks withdraw from conference. Committee demands a PreParliament to which Ministry shall be responsible. Deplorable conditions attributable to returned exiles, majority from America (among them, Trotsky), and to German propaganda. Ambassadors will present joint note after new Ministry is announced. U. S. Ambassador not yet authorized to unite therein. Conference adjourns leaving differences to be adjusted by Pre-Parliament. 201 201 202 202 203 204 |