THE RUSSIAN SITUATION.

Press, Volume LIII, Issue 15919, 5 June 1917, Page 7

THE RUSSIAN SITUATION.

INDUSTRIAL CHAOS. ANARCHISTS DEFY AUTHORITY COUNTRY HURRYING TO RUIN

(By Cable —Press Association —Copyright.) (Australian and X.Z. Cable Association.) PETROGRAD, June 3. The chaotic industrial upheaval is widespread, owing to labour troubles. The workers generally are demanding a six hours' day, and many factories are closing. The food situation is serious, and allnight bread queues are common. The Government has ordered that only black and brown bread shall be baked, and has reduced the sugar allowance to half a pound monthly. Special measures arc being taken to I avert a financial crisis. The State Bank is issuing £200,000,000 worth of bank notes to counter-balance the com- ! parative failure of the recent loan. j The disorganisation in Petrograd is revealed by the plote and counterplots and unhindered armed anarchists' processions through the main streets, inciting the populace to defy constituted authority. i M. Konovadoff, Minister of Commerce, who has since resigned, speaking at the Congress of War Industries at Moscow, said that anti-State tendencies were leading Russia by gigantic strides to a catastrophe. 1

LOYALTY OF COSSACKS. EAGER To" FIGHT. PETROGRAD. June 3. The General Council of Cossack forces sent address to the Government assuring it that ihe Cossacks ■would assist in any.offensive to the utmost, in the conviction that peaco is only procurable hy force of arms. Council denies stories of Cossack desertions or fraternising with the enemy, and regrets that, being scattered on the whole front and not prouped together, they are not able to strike a powerful blow. RUSSIA'S FIGHTING POWER. MUCT BE RESTORED AT ONCE. (Renter's Tele-cramG.) PETROGRAD, .Tune 3. _ A meeting of delegates of Array and Navy officers resolved that any delay in the restoring of combatant power to the Army and Fleet would be equivalent to the ruin of Russia and treachery towards her faithful Allies. SOLDIERS' ADVISORY BOARD. SCHEME TO ENSURE DISCIPLINE. (Router's Telegrams.) (Received June 4th. 11.50 n.m.) PETROGRAD, June 4. General Polovthoff. the new Governor of Petrograd, lias arrived. Ho inaugurated his command by visiting the Soldiers' and Workmen's Council. Ho is an Anglophile, and is elaborating a scheme for a Soldiers' Advisory Board, to ensure the execution of orders. RULE OF DEMOCRACY. THE GOVERNMENT'S DIFFICULTIES. (Australian and N.Z. Cablo Association.) (Received June sth, 1.15 a-m.) LONDON, June 4. Tho correspondent of the "Daily News" at Petrograd says that the Socialists and Extremists in Petrograd are asking, "What has tho Coalition Government done towards peace?" Processions of Anarchists and armed sailors can be seen in the streets, bearing black banners inscribed, "Long Live the Commune 1 Down with the Government!" The Government's difficulties in the Provinces are even greater. Extremists at Kieff, who are armed with machine-guns, have seized the lower portion of the town. Bessarabia is a stronghold of Monarchists, and the peasants there are committing many excesses, and seizing private lands.

QUESTION OF DISCIPLINE. j POSITION STILL UNSETTLED. [ (Received June sth, 1.15 a.m.) j LONDON, Juno 4. The correspondent of the "Daily News" at Petrograd states that the information regarding tho Army is of the most contradictory nature. Tho discipline of General Dragomiroff's Army in the North has been reestablished, but tho position on the southern sectors, especially in Roumania, is causing anxiety. Some corps on the middle front are in excellent condition, and are ready and capabio of advancing. IN MESOPOTAMIA. KURDISH FORCE DEFEATED. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) (Renter's Telegrams.) PARIS, June 3. A wireless Russian official message states: — Wo repelled 500 Kurds, who attacked us south-eastward of Erzingan. We occupied, after a battle, three Turkish heights in tho region of Sakkiz. Turkish attacks in the rear of our army continue. % IN MACEDONIA. ENEMY CLAIMS SUCCESSES. PARIS, June 3. A wireless German official message says:—"The position on the east front is * unchanged. vVe repulsed Roumanian advances between the Susita and Putna Valleys. "The Bulgarians in Macedonia repulsed attacks westward of Vardar." MISSION "TO RUSSIA. AMERICAN MEMBERS ARRIVE. (Australian and N.Z Cable Association^ WASHINGTON, June 3. : It is announced that Mr Elihu Root, and the other members of the Ameri« can Commission to Russia, have arrived safely at a Russian port.