THE RUSSIAN CAULDRON.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVIII, Issue 138, 11 June 1917, Page 5

THE RUSSIAN CAULDRON.

FACTIONS AND SCHISMS. lOYAL COMMERCIAL MEN. ENEMY DELEGATES ARRESTED. PETROGRAD, June 10. After hearing -speeches by the Belgian Minister iv Petrograd, and a representative of the French Kmbassy, ;l conference representing all Husaiau commercial, industrial, and financial eoncerite unanimously decided to send to the Allies declaration categoric-ally rejecting any* possibility of a separate peace, and expresging confidence in the coming decisive victory of the Allies.—(Renter.) Four regiments of the Seventh Army have mutinied. The men of one r**giiinent -arrested their oflicere. Tlie Minis,tcr of War. M. Kerensky, has ordered ithe rogiment- to be disbanded, and the ringleaders tried by court-martial.— (Reuter.J COPENHAGEN", June n. Swedish papers assert that a serious disturbance has occurred in Pctrogrnd, and declare that alfairs in the city are almost anarchical.—(A. and X.Z. (.able.) LONDON, June 10. The Petrograd correspondent of the "Morning Post" states that the first election to the olliec of Archbishop of Petrograd resulted in the defeat of the Democratic candidate, and the election of the pro-Czar archbishop, showing that the clergy is as reactionary as ever. PETROGRAD, June 10. A curious incident is reported from Kishinev, in Bessarabia. Twenty-seven Austriana, including two generals, were arrested in the town. They announced they were peace delegates, and requested a conference with the Committee of the Council of Workmen and Soldiers' Delegates. The Government ordered their arrest, and word has been received in the capital that the delegation has been arrested, and will arrive in Petrograd on Saturday- The question whether they should be held as prisoners of war ia being considered.—(A. and X.Z. Cable.) A NATIONAL CONGRESS. LONDON', Juno 10. A congrese of the Council of Soldiers and Workmen Delegates, representing the whole of Russia, is being arranged, to be held in Petrograd. It is expected that 1500 delegates will attend. Only delegates representing not less than 25.000 members will be given a decisive vote. All the members of the Government will be invited to attend.— (A. and X.Z. Cable.) TROUBLES MULTIPLYING. GRAVE FINANCIAL PROBLEMS. THREATS OF SECESSION. LONDON", June 10. The Petrograd correspondent of the "Morning Post" reports that the Council of Workmen and Soldiers' Delegates is dit-eatisfied with M. Kerensky, the Minister for War, especially with his appeals to the soldiers to attack the enemy. The Petrograd Council regard these as a sign that it is losing its authoritj - . A change in tlie Government is expected soon. A demand by the Finnish Diet for an immediate grant of total independence is troubling the Government. Finland demands that the Great Powers shall guarantee her independence, and thin is interpreted ua a want of confidence in the new Russian Government. The Cabinet agreed to all the other Finnish demand?, but refuses total independence. Ukraine threatens to follow Finland's example. The problems of labour and finance continue to be serioiw. Systematic hoarding of paper money is creating great difliculties. and the Ministry of Finance is contemplating a compulsory loan. The purchasing power of tlie rouble has fallen to between 13 and 20 kopecks, the normal beina 100 kopecks. Hoarding of the currency is resulting in a gradual reversion to the primitive system of barter. Strikes in Moscow and other centres are spreading to Petrograd. and throughout the country. Each district seems to desire to manage its own affairs. The work of reconstituting thp fabric of the State must take a considerable, time.— (A. and X.Z. Cable.)

UNHAPPY RUMANIA. RUSSIA'S PARALYSING INERTIA LONDON, June 10. A. correspondent of the "Daily Chronicle."' in Roumania. says the whole of Rumania is watching the Russian situation with the greatest anxiety. I Rumania is irrevocably bomv.l to the Vllies aird nnv defection on Russia a pan would result" in the disappearance ot Rurania from the comity of nation*. The army is r.-ndy anil eojfer, and awaits the eienel to attack, but the indifference and inertia of her powerful neighbour ?alv"es it. initiative. Guns and rittes aic -ilent everywhere. The Germans .re continually "showering leaflets advoSrtna peace, and saving that the Rumanians are the victims of French and Elfish duplicity. German agent* dissruiecd o* Ruwian officers read.l> cross tho frontier seeking to overthrow the Rumanian ilyiiasty, but the tlin Rumanian soldier refuses to be <ajolcd into betraying his King.—(A. [and X.Z. Cable.) i