DOES RUSSIA WANT CONSTANTINOPLE?

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3051, 12 April 1917, Page 5

DOES RUSSIA WANT CONSTANTINOPLE?

HINT OF DIFFERENCES OF V OPINION ONE MINISTER REPUDIATES ' ■ ANOTHER: , Petrograd, April 10. M. Karensky (Minister for Justice-in-the Russian Provisional Government) has officially declared tbat.M: MiliukoflV (the' Foreign Minister's)/ stater fnent that Russia desired Constant!-. . nople does not represent the Provisional Governnientls point of view-. M. Kerensky, who is vice-president; of the Council of Soldiers and Work- ' ers' Deputies, further declares that the, Labourites, while realising that-Rus-. sian defeat will mean defeat of Russian freedom, are willing only to coil- ' duct a war of defence. They renounce, absolutely any desire for the acquisition of Constantinople, audi by/a majority vote, have asked the Government to express its readiness T6 conclude. . peace when all the. Powers agreeto'. relinquish ideas of annexation, and indemnity. ''If German; Socialists.tnink we will make a separate peacej'they. • are bitterly mistaken."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. * V , REPORTED ANNOUNCEMENT B¥i THE ;;, New York, April; 10: , A message from Petrograd-. states- : that the provisional- Government haj announced that Russia has relinquish-: ed'her claim to; Constantinople as r part of tho price of peace. : ■' ' . Later. . '£.' later from :• Petrogradstates that the Constantinople reportis not official, and-is not corroborated; —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. THE INTERNAL SITUATION SUMMEDUP- ■'..;■:.■ UNION OF ARMY AND, GOVERNMENT , ,1 (Rec. April 11, 8.25 p.m.) : ' London, April 10. i The editor of the "Bourse Gazette,"" in a. special message to the London newspapers, sums up the existing con-,.' ditibn of affairs in Russia.. "Theunion of the Government and _the army, which includes the high com-, mauds; as-well as the officers and men, / is strengthening daily'. The army* is prepared to support the Government against any danger from whatever ' .source. The idea, of a constitutional monarchy is discredited among ' the, masses. People of all classes desire a '. domocratical. republic and vast social' reforms, especially, agrarian, reforms. , Perfect order exists throughout the; country. The Government has decided to requisition the food, supplies> introducing a State 'monopoly in corn. ~ Success is assured for the; forthcoming liberty .loan. " Both, the orthodox and; the Catholic clergy support the loan. "There 'is', boundless: patriotism: : throughout Russia. All the, municipal , councils will shortly be re-elected- on the basis of universal, equal, and direct suffrage- The relations of-, the moderate and extreme elements of.; the revolution are losing their acute; ness, and becoming cordial: ' All'parties will continue to support tbe Gov* eminent." —Aus.-N.Z. Gable Assn.

A CONTRADICTORY REPORT ACUTE STAGE REACHED ON PEACE ISSUE (Rcc. 'April 12, 0.40 a.m.). London, April iO. : The "Times" correspondent at Petri* grad states: "The. internal, crisis is assuming an acute, form. Tie Coin-: mittee of Labour Deputies officially, notifies the formation of a Committee on Foreign Relations to open direct, peace negotiations 'with the enemyv For this purpose a deputation, is going to. Stockholm. The committee.demands, that their, representatives be given a).. voioe in. the directing of operations!, at the.front.. The Committee of Soldiers' Deputies, publishes what it terms its fundamental programme, declaring that-while noti repudiating an, active defence, "w* demand, immediate and united, negotiations among all the belliger-i ents, and propaganda among the masses with a view to terminating the war< which will benefit only the bourgeoiserie."—The' "Times." ' THE RECENT REVERSE ON THE' STOCHOD

HOW THE GERMANS BROKE THROUGH • \ AGITATORS AT,WOR&; : ./(Rec, April 12j. 1.40 a-.m.) \/:- Petrograd, April 11, , It is semi-officially announced, that, information has been received by. the War Office that developments on the. Stochod justify the hope that Ger-" many's advance will be checked, and the breach in the Russian front line ropaired. Many, troops who were supposed to have been lost have rejoined the colours. The reverse is attributed to agitators. The first attacks by the Germans were aiot repulsed because the troops were engaged in electing committees.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn..