WILL RUSSIA CONTINUE IN THE WAR?

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3088, 19 May 1917, Page 7

WILL RUSSIA CONTINUE IN THE WAR?

THE NEED OF A STABLE GOVERNMENT

CHAOTIC STATE OF AFFAIRS REPORTED m, „,, . London, Mar 17. m " lorn]n l? Pests Petrograd correspondent forwards two' gloomy messages. The first, dated May 14, says: "What was foreseen two months ago ia n materialising with appalling rapidity. Men who have spent nearly the whole or their lives in political agitation against any existing form of government are proving themselves incapable of governing, and quite unequal to the double demands of a, foreign war and internal anarchy. ... "•^. te '.' two rnonths of cheap jubilation, all European Russia, has become like ar jellyfish, at tie merov of the winds and waves. Even the bread problem . 13 f and has actually gone from bad to worse. There is disorganisation of food and other supplies, and a steady esodus of the inhabitants from Petrograd. "Russia seems to be rolling in money. Some of the commonest form's of labour aTe paid at astounding rates. Municipal street sweepers are paid at the rate of -£30A a year—and the streets are worse than ever. The peasants in the country have seized all the land they w on t. "The army is ruled by Company. Regimental, and Divisional Committees, which freely discuss the orders of superior officers. Amidst this pandemonium of freedom, all things throughout Russia seem likelv to go under. The war appears to be forgotten. A miracle must, come soon to be in time." The second message is dated May Is and states: "The full Council of the Workmen and Soldiers has been summoned to consider the coalition question. Whatever happens, matters can hardly become worse, because the orders of the late Ministers have been altered or cancelled, and the delay which is resulting must be militarily fatal. Though the re 6 ignations of Generals Brusiloff a.nd Gurko have not beer, accepted,, their retirement is onlv a matter of time. General Ale.vieff's position (as Chief of Staff) is unstable*. "It. is possible to hold two opinions regarding Russia's home interests and the revolution; but regarding Russias share in the war, no two opinions are held anywhere. Unless a miracle happens, Russia is out of the war, and Germany has a. free hand for France, leaving Russia to be dealt with at leisure." —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. SITUATION IS DESPERATE, BUT ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE, t % (Rec. May 18. 8.55 p.m.) < „. „.„ „ „„ , , London, May 18. , r .,. T . he Da ".T Express Petrograd correspondent says the retirement of' M. Milmkoff represents a victory for the Workmen's and Soldiers' Council, which, though repudiating a separate peace, desires an immediate arrangement with the enemy, and is quite, willing to compromiso with the Hohcnwdlorns. There is some talk of the generals and ex-Cabinet Ministers retiring to Mosoow and creatine a new Government. Anything is possible. The situation is most desperate. —United bervice. FAVOURABLE STOCK EXCHANGE INDICATIONS. (Rec. May 18, 6.15 p.m.) London, May 17. The Stock' Exchange is quiet. Eussian stock's have recovered substantiallv. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. . COMPROMISE REACHED REGARDING THE NEW CABINET. (Rec. May 18, 5.5 p.m.) a«. n j l- l- , , , Petrograd, May 17. After all-day negotiations, an agreement has been reached between tho Workmen's and Soldiers' Delegates and the Government, under which three Democratic and three Nationalist Socialists shall enter the Cabinet. Generals Alexieff, Grngomokoff, and Gurko are coming to Petrograd to confer .upon the military situation.—Reuter. FORECAST OF COALITION GOVERNMENT -~,,. , , . , , Copenhagen, May 17. The following forecast is made as to the Russian Coalition Government :- Prince Lvoff. Prime Minister and Minister of Interior. M. Nuljukoff,. Foreign Minister. Jf. Kerensky. Minister for War. M. Shingoreff, Minister for Finance. And either M. Skabeleff (Vice-President of the Workers' and Soldiers' Council) or Admiral Kolichak (commanding the Black Sea Fleet) will be appointed for the Navy. . Socialists are to be appointed to almost all the portfolios.—A vs. -N.Z. Cable Assn. TREATIES WITH ALLIES MUST BE OBSERVED THE GOVERNMENT'S COUNTERPROPOSALS. (Rec. May 18, 6.30 p.m.) ~ Petrograd, May 17. In response to the proposals of the Workmen's and Soldiers' Council, the Government counter-proposed .the following conditions:— 1. All treaties with the Allies must bo observed. 2. The Government's power must be absolute. .1. Strong measures to be taken against anarchy. 4. The array to be maintained atfuill force. 5. Agitators to be forbidden access to the army. As M. Miliukoff's resignation as Foreign Minister would mean the withdrawal of all_ the National Liberals from the Government, he has been asked to return as Minister of Education.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. Tho proposals of the Workmen's and Soldiers' Council were:— 1. A foreign policy with its chief aim the earliest possible conclusion of a general peace without annexation or indemnity, and the Tight of all nationalities to determine their own fate. * 2. A decisive measure for the ; reconstruction of the" army on a democratic basis, and the strengthening of the fighting .force for the defence if liberty. 3. "Radical, social, economic, and financial reforms. The earliest possible convention of a Constituent Assembly in Petrograd. !). The Socialists' representatives in the Provisional Government to The re- . sponsible to the Council of Workmen's and Soldiers' Delegates. RUSSIAN SOLDIERS REFUSE TO FRATERNISE WITH THE ENEMY. (Rec. May 18, 5.5 p.m.) Petrograd, May 17. The "Nord uud Sud" Agency reports that on the Riga front, in spite of Gorman threats to overwhelm them with asphyxiating gas. The Russian regiments are refusing to fraternise with the enemy. They have everywhere'resolutely discontinued friendly meetings with the enemy. Tho disappointed German's loosed upon them intense rifle and artillery fire.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. 'RESIGNATIONS OF GENERALS NOT ACCEPTED. Petrograd, May 17. The Government has not accepted tho resignations of Generals Brusiloff and Gurko.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. ABOLITION OF PRIVATE LAND DEMANDED Petrograd, May 17. A conference of South Russian peasants demands the abolition of private land, and 6ccks to share the governmentwith- the Soldiers and Workmen.—Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn. BRITISH PRISONERS EMPLOYED ON FORTIFICATIONS RUMANIAN BANK OF DANUBE ABANDONED BY GERMANS (Rec. May 18, 5.5 p.m.) . Petrograd, May 17. The "Nordund Sud" says that refugees declare that the Germans are employing British prisoners for the construction of fortifications. The Germans have abandoned the Rumanian bank of the Danube, owing to the heavy losses and the incessant Russian air Taids.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.