2 June 1917. George Buchanan → Government

Non-fiction

Project 1917 is a series of events that took place a hundred years ago as described by those involved. It is composed only of diaries, letters, memoirs, newspapers and other documents

George Buchanan Government

Petrograd, Russian Empire

This situation in Petrograd is as bad as ever, which is hardly to be wondered at seeing that there is no proper police force to maintain order; and the uncertain attitude of the troops causes the Government considerable anxiety. There are however, signs of a reaction, not in favour of a monarchy, but of a stable Government capable of maintaining order and putting an end to the existing anarchy that is steadily spreading over the country.

The Government, has, I am convinced, only to act with firmness and it will have the mass of the people behind it. From what Terestchenko tells me, they consider that the psychological moment has arrived for action and, if he really represents their views, they are going to get rid of the Petrograd garrison and employ the Cossacks, who can de thoroughly relied on, should the occasion arise. The result of the recent municipal elections shows that the Extremists are but a small minority and their position is likely to be seriously compromised if, as he hopes, Terestchenko is able to prove that many of their leaders are in German pay. The convocation of an all-Russian Conference of Delegates from all the Workmen’s Councils in Russia, which is to meet in a day or two, will be a new and interesting factor in the situation. It will transform the local Council into a national one and invest it with greater authority and influence. It is generally expected that the admission of Workmen’s and Soldiers’ Deputies from the provinces will act in a moderating sense, and if this proves to be the case there will be closer co-operation between the Council and the Government.

As regards the Army the outlook is more hopeful, though the pessimists declare that it is quite incapable of taking an offensive. Ministers, on the other hand, speak with considerable confidence and an offensive will, in my opinion, be certainly undertaken as soon as the difficulties of supplies, etc., have been surmounted, but with what measure of success it will be attended is a matter on which I will not venture to prophesy.

Since writing the above I have seen the Chief of the General Staff who told me that the latest information from the front was far more satisfactory, and that the offensive would be taken within the next fortnight.

, and others

Comment

✍ Also today

Alexander Blok

57, Ofitserskaya street, Petrograd, Russian Empire

No, there’s no need to fantasize about a golden age, to clench one’s teeth and descend anew into one’s demonic dreams.

, and others

1 Like

Comment

Korney Chukovsky

3, Pogranichnaya street, Kuokkala, Russian Empire

How I envy people who have money!

, and others

3 Like

Comment

Alexander Guchkov

Petrograd, Russian Empire

A whole world of ideas and belief systems separates us, the non-socialists, from people “on the other coast.” It is not so much private and class-based interests that divide us, but a different understanding of the structure of human society and of the tasks of government.

, and others

Comment

Nicholas II

Tsarskoye Selo, Russian Empire

It was an ideally warm day, with no breeze. I took a walk for an hour and a quarter during the morning with Alexis. During the day I worked with the others in the vegetable garden, and we rested and took a ride in the canoe. At 6:30 we went to vespers. The aroma from the garden was wonderful while sitting at the window. In the evening I began to read aloud Le fauteuil hante.

, and others

Comment

Elizaveta Naryshkina

Tsarskoye Selo, Russian Empire

The single cultural asset our unhappy masses had was religious feeling, thanks to which many of them became heroes and saints. Now that religious feeling has been stripped away from them, the masses are returning to a state of nature and descending to the level of livestock.

, and others

Comment

Alexandra Kollontai

Kollontai's rented flat, Peski, Petrograd, Russian Empire

In the navy, a new menace is rising against the Provisional Government: in Helsinki, in Kronstadt, ships are becoming “infected with Bolshevism.” Our newspaper, “The Wave,” is becoming an active center of Bolshevism.

, and others

Comment

1 June

Russians argued with the Ukrainians, the Jews were sulking and waiting for a beating

Kerensky talks to Ukrainian politicians

"The bleakest and most hopeless in it is what it took from Gogol. In whatever is in it from Dostoyevsky, there are more glimmers of light"

Map of the Royal dynasties of Europe

Romanovs dangerous liaisons

+15

in Petrograd

+13

in Moscow