18 May 1917. Alfred Knox

Petrograd, Russian Empire

The Government has taken in five socialists. Kerenski is Minister of War. I went to the official residence of the Minister of War— 67, Moika—this morning, and was there before Kerenski arrived. He took me into his room and introduced me to his assistants, Colonel Yakubovich and Prince Tumanov.He will leave for the South-West Front in five or six days, “ when he has restored order here." Hope that springs eternal! I told him I was glad of his appointment, for I considered him to be the only man who could save Russia.

He asked me if the Embassy was “ still in panic," and when I was going away he asked me not to frighten the Ambassador by collecting " pessimistic information ” ! In the afternoon I saw Yakubovich, and asked him what it was proposed to do here. He said

the programme was:

1. The proclamation of the Sovyet to the Army. This has been already issued—eight

weeks too late.

2. The Peasants’ Conference will pass a resolution depriving all deserters of any right to

land in the approaching distribution.

3. Healthy propaganda.

I said that nothing would come of this programme unless the Government muzzled the Pravda and other papers of the unpatriotic Left Press, and arrested traitors like Khaust and Sievers. Yakubovich said that these things they could not do yet. My impression is that they

will never do them. As Engelhardt, whom I met later, said: “ The situation can only be saved by a Government that is willing to wallow in blood, and this Government will not do that.” The Ambassador told me that he had given my paper of the 14th to Tereshchenko, who said he thoroughly agreed with it. His agreement is not much use unless he forces his colleagues to act.

I am afraid the Coalition Ministry will do little to increase Russian pressure in the Eastern theatre. A milk- and-water programme such as that outlined will do no good. Our object must be to keep at all events some Russian troops on the line to prevent all German troops from going west.

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Marina Tsvetaeva

Borisoglebsky lane, 6, Moscow, Russian Empire

I always give up my seat for old men, old women. To old women—with joy, to old men—with delight. (But not to those shaved ones, that would be offensive. I smile at the shaved ones). I have scared one old man to death with this. See more

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Paul Klee

is working on a painting called "The Nordic Holy Land"

Summer school, Gersthofen, Bavaria, German Empire

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Vasily Kravkov

7th Siberian army corps

The newspapers are riddled with headlines, "A Menacing Moment," "Grave Sin," "On the Edge of Ruin," "Anarchy"—with reports of agricultural disorders and soldier riots. Lenin's Zinovyev, overstraining himself, yells, "Down with all kings, monarchs, bourgeoisie, landowners and other oppressors!" Calls for wide fraternization on all fronts. See more

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Jean Cocteau

Théâtre du Châtelet, Paris, France

I have heard the roar of a bayonet attack in Flanders, but it was nothing compared to what was happening in Théâtre du Châtelet! On the night of "Parade's" premier I was surprised at Diaghilev. This brave man listened to the roar of the hall, all white in the face as if a dead man. He was afraid—and he had reasons to be afraid. See more

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Serge Diaghilev

Théâtre du Châtelet, Paris, France

The premiere of the ballet "Parade."

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Igor Stravinsky

The production impressed me with its freshness and real originality. "Parade" has actually convinced me how right I was, when I thought so highly of Satie’s accomplishments and the role he played in French music by having contrasted the dim aesthetics of the age of impressionism, already living out its time, with his powerful and expressive language, devoid of any kind of pretentiousness and adornments.

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Ilya Ehrenburg

Paris, France

Before the war I have seen one of Diaghilev’s ballets that caused a scandal—Stravinsky’s “Rite of Spring.” But I have never seen anything like what happened at the “Parade.” People, sitting in the orchestra, rushed towards the stage, and angrily screamed, “Curtain!” See more

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Romain Rolland

Grand Hotel Chateau Bellevue, Sierre, Switzerland

The opening of Saisons Russes in Paris. For the whole of Paris (and English officers) this represented the ascension of cubism to the throne, on the stage of du Châtelet. Picasso, Eric Satie. The snobs had their mouths agape with admiration.

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Vladimir Dzhunkovskiy

Pavlovschina, Russian Empire

Guchkov left, Kerensky became the new war minister. With this appointment a new step was made towards the destruction of the army, to please the Soviet of Workers’ and Soldiers’ Deputies.

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Alexander Kerensky

is a War and Navy minister

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Alexander Kerensky

I have begun to fulfill my new duties.

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Nicholas II

The weather remained overcast and rainy. The lighting in the rooms was poor, and the boredom in the rooms was incredible. While playing with Marie I regularly won at backgammon. It is really like a poor bezik. I walked for an hour and. a half during the day. We had to wait for dinner from eight to nine o'clock. The electric lighting is fixed in the dining room, but in the hall it is not yet fixed.

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17 May

Trotsky arrives in Petrograd

Admiral Kolchak is convinced that disaster is inevitable

“Our nation is pitiful; never has there been such an open betrayal anywhere”