Molotov

The Kerensky I Knew

by J. Schwartzman

From Vorwärts

"Kerensky, … addressing the Moscow Soviet, … set his motto of humanity with the words: 'I will not be the Marat of the Russian Revolution.' " -- Bernard Pares



As the world reacts to the death of Alexander Kerensky, the first president of the Russian Republic, I cannot but help remember the interview I had with him in 1931. I sat in one of the Winter Palace's private rooms reminicing. Kerensky! The valiant young lawyer, who courageously championed the cause of the underdog. The reformer, who helped abolish capital punishment and brought modern welfare to the Russian people. The Great Persuader, who united the white army to crush Bolshevism.

Of course the man prolonged the Weltkrieg, needlessly killing brave German soldiers. Yet it was during the German intervention that led the two nations

My thoughts came to a sudden end as Kerensky entered the room. Time had clearly taken its toll on the man. He seemed much more wary than the man of the past and my imagination. Maybe it was the constant assassination attempts and coup rumors. Perhaps the realities of statesmanship had eroded his idealism. It could just be he was now fifty years old. In any case, I began to ask him the questions I prepared. Unfortunately, he seemed annoyed by many of my questions.

What were your goals in 1917?

""Our first objectives were to restore the machinery of government (left shattered by the Czar), and to conclude, by means of a general peace, the Weltkrieg effort that we inherited from Nicholas II. Our other objectives were: to establish a free Russia; to create a federated republic; to ensure spiritual liberty; to bring about the equality of all nationalities and populations of Russia; to recognize the inviolability of the individual; to conquer starvation and maldistribution of wealth by means of necessary land reforms; and to fight the tendency toward centralism."

Some commentators have criticised you for having been 'soft on radical leftism.' Is this true?

"I am sometimes criticized for not having been 'too severe' with the Left. At other times, I am criticized for having been 'too lax' with the Right. At all times, people find things to criticize. Evidently, my detractors fail to understand that I have always believed in freedom of assembly and speech. I did not join the Provisional Government to perpetuate the autocracy of the Czars -- as did the Communists when they tried to capture the State."

What, in your opinion, will be the future of Russia?

"The generations of the future will thank us for our sacrifices. Democracy will continue. Freedom -- a classic concept of our writers and dreamers -- will triumph in Russia. Dictatorship will be forgotten."

The Discord of Nations
by Ludwig Kastl
From Fatherland

In all my years as a diplomat in the service of the German Empire, I've seen nothing quite as peculiar as the so-called "Concord of Nations". It is quite a testament to Anglo arrogance. As a world body, it concerns itself with all matters of state sovereignty, with a court and a myriad of subsidiary organizations.

Despite its insistence that this organization represents the nations of the Earth, the population of all its members doesn't even constitute a simple majority of the world's population. Their claim to universality is belied by the fact that four of its six council members are part of the Entente. Half of their council members are ruled under the same monarch. All of the members fought on the same side during the Weltkrieg.

Some have said that the Concord is a reaction against syndicalism and should be praised. However, there is not a single word in its charter that names syndicalism as the greatest threat to the world order. Instead, it uses the same language as Anglo-Canadian propaganda against Germany and her allies.

As a military alliance, the organization completely falls short. It only guarantees the defense of a nation who is attacked by another nation already in the Concord. It is basically useless, as there is no doubt that the only actions taken will be in the Entente's own interests.

It is clear to me that the Entente and their underlings have no real interest in the stability of the world. Instead they wish to play make-believe. Nevertheless, Germany should be wary of this organization. It is often the most deluded people who the most dangerous.