8 May 1917. The New York Times

The New York Times

To the Editor of The New York Times:

American Exports to European Neutrals adds to the strength of the Central Powers. The whole subject of our trade with these five nations is in reality as simple as purchasing a dozen eggs at the grocery store. But to understand it we must think in terms of economics, and not of politics. There are, indeed, imaginary lines of political demarcation between the five so-called neutrals and Germany. Yet in everything economic. As regards food, clothing, and all the supplies for noncombatants and soldiers, those imaginary political lines have absolutely no existence whatever. People who talk of this subject in terms of political States and international precedent might as well converse in terms of theology or solar biology, so far as coming to intelligible or practical conclusions are concerned. Draw a line about Germany and her allies, including her five economic allies - Switzerland, Holland, Norway, Sweden, and Denmark. Erase all political boundary lines. Now, then, comprehend that a shipload of goods sent to Copenhagen or Rotterdam has exactly the same effect upon the stomachs and the banking deposits of Germany, the ammunition supplies and the fighting lines of Germany, as though that shipload of supplies were direct to Hamburg or Bremen.

Frank Bohn, Ph. D.

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Vasily Kravkov

7th Siberian army corps

We need new people.

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Alexander Kerensky

Tauride Palace

We all agreed that the foreign ministry should be given to someone who is more capable of showing flexibility in his conduct of the state’s foreign policy. I threatened to leave the cabinet, should Miliukov not be transferred to the post of education minister. I followed this with a demand that representatives of the socialist parties be immediately brought into the government. The crisis in the cabinet reached its zenith when Miliukov refused to accept the portfolio of the education ministry and resigned in protest.

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Alexander Kolchak

Petrograd, Russian Empire

At Guchkov's request, I came back to Petrograd along with Alekseev, and gathered in his apartment to discuss the so-called “Declaration of the Rights of Soldiers.” This declaration was developed by a special commission of the Petrograd Soviet of Workers' and Soldiers' Deputies. After its reading began, Alekseev stood up and said: "I, as commander-in-chief, cannot talk about how to finally destroy the army I command, so I will not discuss this issue and refuse to continue participating in its discussion." See more

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Elizaveta Naryshkina

Tsarskoye Selo, Russian Empire

I have decided to leave Tsarskoye Selo, in pursuance of which I have written a letter to Kerensky which I hope to get to him by way of the commandant. If this turns out to be impossible, I will accept it as God’s will that I remain here. I have requested that the commandant sees me.

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Tsarevich Alexei

Joy is getting fatter, putting on 1/2 a pound every day. Soon he will probably burst.

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Grigory Zinoviev

Petrograd, Russian Empire

Our party will stand behind any decision the Finish people chose to make concerning their fate. This is our policy towards all nations and at all times.

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Kira Allendorf

Moscow, Russian Empire

Yesterday little Shura received a four for his Russian dictation, which is big news, as Shura always gets a two or a one. Shura was very happy, because mama and papa said, that if Shura will have to resist the dictation, he will have to stay in the same class next year, and now, maybe, he won’t have to.

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Joseph Stalin

Petrograd, Russian Empire

Who should we consider our government, the Soviet of Workers’ and Soldiers’ Deputies or the Provisional Government? It is clear, that workers and soldiers should support exclusively those workers’ and soldiers’ deputies who have been elected by them to the Soviet.

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Maxim Gorky

23, Kronversky ave., Petrograd, Russian Empire

Following the traditions established during the Tsarist era, some journalists continue the old ways of abusing those they oppose in their polemics, hitting them “where it hurts”, “right in the gut”, “below the belt”. It clearly follows that there is no space for clam, academic disputes in our papers, but I continue to maintain that a free press needs to develop a tradition of respecting public figures. At least where it becomes unavoidable to target a man’s vulnerabilities, this should be resorted to only when he gives genuine cause for the slaps, kicks and punches in which our people are so firmly tutored by the experience of their schooling years.

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Vladimir Lenin

Petrograd, Russian Empire

Rabochaya Gazeta gloats and crows over the recent resolution of the Central Committee which has revealed certain disagreements within our Party. The Mensheviks may gloat and crow as much as they like. It does not worry us in the least. The Mensheviks have no organisation. Chkheidze and Tsereteli are one thing—they are ministers without portfolios; the Organising Committee is another thing—they are Social-Democrats without a policy; the “defencists” are a third thing—they support Plekhanov. See more

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Maurice Paleologue

10, Kutuzova embankment, Petrograd, Russian Empire

I have paid a farewell visit to the Grand Duke Nicholas Michailovich.

Not much left of the splendid optimism he affected at the dawn of the new order. He made no attempt to conceal his grief and anxiety. But he still cherishes a hope for some improvement in the near future, which he thinks would be followed by a general recovery and definite revival. See more

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7 May

“Lenin’s riotous faction is corrupting the revolution”

Tsvetaeva on love

Gorky: “The bloody nightmare we have lived in these last three years has deprived us not only of ours senses but even our humanity”