THE NEW RUSSIA

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3062, 25 April 1917, Page 5

THE NEW RUSSIA

AIMS OF THE DEMOCRACY

DEFENSIVE WAR ONLY

GERMAN SCHEMES FOR

ATTACK

(Kec? April 24, 11 p.m.)

Petrograd, April 24. The "Daily Express" has been accorded an interview with M. Kerasky (previously cabled Kerenski), Russian Minister for Justice, who is the Lloyd George of Russia, dominating the political situation. He said: "Our people went to war to defend themselves. They are now determined to wage only, ft defensive, not an aggressive war. We desire no_ annexations. If President Wilson is expressing the will of the people of America, and not merely making a diplomatic move, then I am in complete sympathy with his statement regarding the objects of the war. I have no objection to the principlo of compensation in order to give reparation to Poland and Belgium.; The British people are held in great esteem in Russia, but their connection with Tsarism . was evidenced in America after the overthrow of Tsarism, which has given America a popularity Britain has rarely enjoyed. If Tsarism had continued when Germany commenced her spring offensive, tho defeat of Russia would have been inevitable. Our troopsJn January were intermittently deserting their regiments. Our armies had only two days' food supply, and many of the soldiers wero starving. Only 70 per cent, of our blast furnaces were working, and tho output of minerals -had fallen to one-quarter of the normal output. Our workmen are now all striving to increase the output, and' particular attention is being bestowed on the transports via Vkdivostock, in order to secure American supplies."

The "Daily News" correspondent at Petrograd reports that ,M. Miliukoff, speaking at' Moscow, said: "We possess secret documents showing that the Germans are debating whether to attack Russia immediately, or wait until internal disorders should put Russia at Gormany's mercy."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. NO'DUALITY'OF POWER Petrograd, April 23. The situation as between the Provisional Government and tho Council of Workmen's and Soldiers' delegates was explained in a speech by the president of tho latter body. He declared that there was no duality ' of power. His council was simply a sort of Constitutional opposition, -which was necessary as a check to every Government.—Reuter. AS KEEN AS AMERICA RUSSIA'S AIM'-IN THE WAR. Washington, April 23. A message from Russia has been received by the State Department that Russia is no more likely to abandon the war without achieving its object than is the United States itself. The revolution was aimed at the defeat of Germany, not to make separate peace. The new Government of Russia is organising itself on the American republican model. The Army is determined, and is rapidly becoming efficient.— ■Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. ' GERMAN SQUADRONS IN THE BALTIC A LANDING ATTACK?.

Copenhagen, April 23. Largo squadrons of German battleships and cruisers are steaming northward to tho Baltic. This is causing speculation at Petrograd as to a possible German landing north of Riga.— Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. ' INUNDATIONS ON THE RIGA j FRONT. ■■; l Petrograd, April 23. Inundations on the Riga front separate the adversaries, and fighting is impossible. There havo been heavy Ger- j man concentrations below Riga.—Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn. GERMANS USING GLASS BULLETS. London, April 23. Admiralty, per Wireless Press. — A. Russian official message states: "The Germans used glass bullets in the region of the Aa River (in the Riga sec-tor)."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Reuter. ON THE ASIA MINOR FRONT London, April 23. Admiralty, per Wireless Press.—A Russian official message states: "The Kurds have increased their activity against us in Persia. "The Arabs attacked a squadron at Cheraban which was escorting the English military agent. The squadron forced a passage."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Reuter. THE REPUBLICANISM OF H. G. WELLS GIVES OFFENCE TO INDIAN ■ PRINCE. London, April 23. The Maharajah of Bikanir, in a speech when receiving tho Freedom of Manchester, speaking as one from India, where the teaching of traditions and sentiments aro deeply inspired by veneration and devotion for the Sovereign, said that the views and suggestions of Mr. H. G. Wells would bo repudiated with scorn and repugnance throughout India.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. [A message published yesterday stated: —"Mr. H. G. Wells, writing in the 'Times,' advocates that the moment is ripe for organisation, with the certain object of encouraging Republican movements in Central Europe. Ho suggests a series of Republican societies in the chief towns in Britain to express sympathy with their fellow-Republicans abroad, and form a basis for moro purposeful activities which need not conflict with loyalty to the Throne, giving clear expression to the great volume of Republican feeling which has always existed in a British community. Mr. Wells declares this would he an agreeable thing to'our Allies. Tho 'Times,' editorially, commented that the letter showed how clovdr men sometimes wrote very foolishly. It characterised Republican manifestations in Britain as absurd."] WITHDRAWN FROM THE FIGHTING LINE AUSTRALIAN DIVISIONS HAVE NO REINFORCEMENTS. Melbourne, April 24. Mr. W. M. Hughes has announced that the Australian divisions have Been withdrawn from the front because of their heavy losses and tho absence of reinfoTcemonts. Tho divisions have been withdrawn from the line for nearly thrco months, their places bet ing taken by British troops.—Press Assn. (Tho cable news in this issue accredited to the London "Times" has appeared in that journal but only where "expressly stated is such news the editorial opinion 1 cf The iTSroufi."}