Imagine yourself as a Russian officer in late August 1917.

You have spent months watching the army deteriorate after the February Revolution. Soldiers' committees have appeared, discipline has weakened, desertions are widespread, and revolutionary politics are everywhere. You believe the Provisional Government is too weak to control the situation.

Then comes the news:

"Kornilov is moving troops toward Petrograd."

Among his supporters, the reaction could be something like:

"Finally. Someone is going to restore order."

You might genuinely believe that Kornilov isn't trying to become a dictator, but is trying to save the army and the revolution from Bolshevism....