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Show MOSCOW MAY ONCE MORE BECOME THE RUSSIAN CAPITAL WASHINGTON, Sept. 3. Abandonment Abandon-ment of Riga in the face of the new German Ger-man drive into Russia and even the evacuation evac-uation of Petrograd itself have been forecast fore-cast as possibilities In confidential advices ad-vices to the American government during the last two weeks. Such a devetopmnet is not regarded with so much alarm as might be supposed. With Riga abandoned and German occupation occu-pation of Petrograd In prospect, the seat of the Russian provisional government undoubtedly will be moved to Moscow. Much as they regret seeing the Russian capital occupied by a German army, the forceful thinking men of Russia working to set up a government may regard it as a blessing in disguise. There are many advantages in moving the Russian capital to Moscow. It is the center of the Conservative group and commands the sentimental, almost religious, reli-gious, regard of the Russian populace as the ancient capital of the old empire, surrounded with traditions of Russia's greatness, the triumphs of Alexander, Catherine and Peter the Great. Furthermore, the Russians of the new government are said to think that a German Ger-man occupation of Riga, and even Petrograd. Pet-rograd. might be a wholesome object lesson les-son for the radical clement which has been hampering the new government, and that an experience under the military heel of Germany might convince them of the need of supporting the government as now constituted to save their fatherland for Russia. |