25 July 1917. George Buchanan

4, Dvortsovaya embankment, Petrograd, Russian Empire (British Embassy)

OWING to the loss of heavy artillery, guns and military supplies, the situation at the front was becoming desperate, while the economic and financial position was almost as serious. But, black as was the outlook, I was nevertheless inclined to take a more hopeful view of things. The Government had suppressed the Bolshevik rising and seemed at last determined to act with firmness. So long as anarchy reigned supreme there could be no real or lasting improvement, but the restoration of order would, I trusted, react favourably on all branches of the national life. Kerensky had returned from the front on the evening of July 19, and had at once demanded, as a condition of his retaining office, that the Government should have complete executive control over the army without any interference on the part of soldiers' com- mittees, that an end should be put to all Bolshevik agitation, and that Lenin and his associates should be arrested. The public and the majority of the troops were on the side of the Government, as their indignation had been aroused by the publication of documents proving that the Bolshevik leaders were in German pay. The psychological moment had come for the Government to deal a final and crushing blow at the enemy .within the gates. But the Soviet raised objections. They had no wish to see the charges brought against the Bolsheviks investigated for fear that some of their own members might be compro- mised, and they decHned to invest the Government with the powers demanded by Kerensky unless it took its stand on a thoroughly democratic platform. The conditions on which they insisted were the immediate proclamation of a Republic and the adoption of Chernoff's scheme for the settlement of the land question, without awaiting the decision of the Con- stituent Assembly. These conditions gave rise to a stormy discussion in the Cabinet, the Socialist Ministers siding with the Soviet, while Prince Lvoff threatened to resign, declaring that, were the Government to accept them, they would be acting beyond their powers and visurping those of the Constituent Assembly. Tereschenko vainly tried to play the part of mediator and to evolve some compromise that would reconcile these conflicting views. While the discussion was still proceeding Kerensky was called away to fulfil an engagement to address a hussar regiment. On his return he was handed a telegram which brought the first news of the Germans having broken through the Russian front. On his reading it to his colleagues, Prince Lvoff expressed the wish to resign the premier- ship in Kerensky 's favour, as being a younger and more active man and in closer touch with the democracy. This was agreed to, and Kerensky was at the same time accorded all the powers which he had asked for. As he was to retain the post of Minister of War, it was further decided that Nekrassoff should be appointed Vice-President of the Council, and that he should replace Kerensky during the latter's absence at the front. Nekrassoff, who belonged to the left wing of the Cadet party, was a strong and capable man, who was credited with the ambition of becoming Prime Minister. He did not, however, inspire confidence, as he was too much of an opportunist and had changed parties more than once in order to advance his own interests.

, and others

Like

Comment

Igor Stravinsky Serge Diaghilev

Diableler, Switzerland

I am absolutely broke!! I would be most grateful if you could see your way to sending me those 300 francs you still owe me. See more

, and others

Like

Comment

Alexander Blok

57, Ofitserskaya street, Petrograd, Russian Empire

Again I see no future because this accursed war is dragging out, again the air is heavy with it. Much confuses me, that is to say, I am unable to comprehend it.

, and others

Like

Comment

Elizaveta Naryshkina

Tsarskoye Selo, Russian Empire

Terrible news from the front: the army has melted away completely. In the very heat of battle soldiers begin to question whether their officers are really worth following, often resulting in their taking off and leaving their comrades in greater danger. See more

, and others

1 Like

Comment

Alexander Zamaraev

Totma, Vologodskaya guberniya, Russian Empire

A northern wind and rain. The situation with the army is far from good. The soldiers, thoughtless and blind, are leaving the front in their thousands. Nevertheless there are some, who have conscience and understanding, who are dying in their thousands. See more

, and others

Like

Comment

Ilya Ehrenburg

Petrograd, Russian Empire

In the Vyborg quarter they curse the “bourgeois”, on Nevsky the “Bolsheviks”. On a tram an old man declared:

- It’s the yids, I say kill them... See more

, and others

Like

Comment

Nicholas II

Tsarskoye Selo, Russian Empire

The day was windy and cold — only 10 degrees. I took a short walk with all my daughters. During the day we worked as before. We chopped down four trees. We all thought and talked about the forthcoming journey; it seems strange to leave here after four months of seclusion.

, and others

3 Like

Comment

Provisional Government

Petrograd, Russian Empire

Recently we have observed numerous instances of publication of military information in periodicals, the disclosure of which had a detrimental effect on the course of military action, and sometimes directly helped the enemy. In light of this, the Provisional Government, fully realizing its duty to the motherland, considers it necessary to quickly establish new rules of military censorship.

, and others

Like

Comment

Inessa Armand

Moscow, Russian Empire

On our front blood is being spilled again, again they are mutilating our husbands and brothers in the name of capitalists' and landowners' interests. Contrary to the wishes of the people, contrary to the wishes of our soldiers, our troops are being thrown into an offensive. See more

, and others

2 Like

Comment

24 July

Chaliapin gave a concert in Sevastopol

Lenin complains of persecution

Meeting Mayakovsky