RUSSIA IN THE TOILS

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3107, 11 June 1917, Page 5

RUSSIA IN THE TOILS

A DEPRESSING BUDGET KERENSKI AND THE SOCIALISTS (Kef. June 10, 5.5 p.m.) Copenhagen, June 3. The Swedish papers assert that there is a serious disturbance at Pefcrofprad, and that affairs there are almost anarchical.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. FOUR REGIMENTS MUTINY (Itec. June 10, 5.5 p.m.) Petrograd, Julie 0. Four regiments of the Seventh Army have mutinied. One arrested its officers. The "Minister for War (M. Keren ski) has ordered the regiments to be diebanded and the ringleaders conrt-niarti ulled.—Renter. KERENSKI IN BAD ODOUR WITH THE SOCIALISTS (Roc. June 10, 5.5 p.m.) London, June 8. The "Morning Post's" correspondent at Petrograd reports that the Workmen and Soldiers' Council is dissatisfied with M. Kerenski (Minister for War), and especially with his appeals to the soldiers to attack .the enemy. Ihere are si"ns in Petrograd that the Workmen's Council is losing its * authority, and a change in the Government is expected soon—Aus.-N.15. Cable Assn. A GLOOMY PICTURE i MATTERS DRIFTING FROM BAD TO WORSE. (Eec. June 10, 5.5 p.m.) Petrograd, June 9. • The demand of the Finnish Diet for an immediate grant of total independence is troubling the Government. Finland demands great .powers, that shall ffuarantee its independence. This movo is interpreted as a want of confidence in the new Russian Government. Cabinet, has agreed to ail the other Furnish aemands, but refuses to grant total independence. The Ukraine threatens to follow Finland's example. The problems of labour and finance continue to bo ■serious systematic hoarding and paper money creating great difficulties. ihe Ministry of Finance is contemplating a compulsory loan. The purchasing power of™e rouble has fallen to between 15 and 20 kopecs (nominally the value of the rouble is 100 kopecs). This hoarding of currency is resulting in a gradual reversion to the primitive system of barter. The'stakes- in lloscow and other centres are spreading to Petrograd. Throughout the country each district seems to desire to manage its own affairs, and the work of reconstituting the fabric of the State must take a, considerable time. The first election of the Archbishop of Petrograd resulted in the defeat of the Democratic candidate, and the election of a pm-Tsar Archbishop, showing that the clergy is as reactionary as ever.—Aus.-N.Z, Cable Assn. PESSIMISM AT WASHINGTON RUSSIA BELIEVED TO BE OUT OF THE WAR. (Bee. June 10, 5.5 p.m.) Washington, Juuo 0. The United Press Bureau says that according to the best-informed Government officials the hope of an Allied victory this year is gone. American plans noTnwdS"the probability of three years more of war Russia lias collapsed, and fs believed to be out of the war as an offensive factor probably for good, while FrancfW be counted only to hold her own. The admission from mihSSerittSttSithe Russian upheavals wet the Allies' plans has caused extreme pessimism in some quarters."-Aua.-N.Z. Cable Assn. , AMERICA'S BASIS OF PEACE PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE TO RUSSIA. (Ilec. Juno 10, 11.5 p.m.) ...... ~ ,„ Washington/ June 10. President Wilson has cabled tho Russian Government that America will not ronsent to a neaco on the basis of the status quo ante helium.- There.must bo no territorial changes without the consient or the benefit of the inhabitants, and no indemnities except restitution for wrongs inflicted.-Reuter. INTENSE ANXIETY IN RUMANIA MILITARY INITIATIVE PARALYSED BY RUSSIA'S INERTIA. (Kec. June 10, 5.5 p.m.) London, June 5. •Clip "Dailv Chronicle's" correspondent in Rumania states that tho whole of Rumania is watching the Russian situation with the greatest anxiety. Rumania is rrcvocably bound to the Allies, and any defection on Russia's part would result in a disappearance of Rumania from the comity of nations. The army L ready «nd eager, and awaits the signal to attack, but the indifterence and inertia of Her powerful neighbour paralyses its initiative, and the guns and rifles are silent everywhere. The Germans meanwhile, are continually showering leaflets advocating peace, and saying that the Rumanians are victims of French ar,d English duplicity. German agents disguised .as Russian officers, readily cross the frontier, seeking to overthrow the Rumanian dynasty but the Rumanian soldier refuses to be cajoled into betraying his King.—Aus.tM- Cable Assn. AN ALL-RUSSIAN CONGRESS (Uec. June 10, 3.5 p.m.) Petrograd, June 9. After speeches had been delivered by the Belgian Minister and tho representative of the French Embassy at a Coniercnce representing all the Russian commercial, industrial, and financial concerns it was unanimously decided to send the Allies a declaration categorically rejecting any possibility of a separate peace and expressing confidence in the coming decisive victory of the Allies. An all-Russian Congress with the Workmen and feoldiers Council, is being arranged at Petrograd. Fifteen thousand delegates are expected, and only delegates representing not fewer than 25,000 members will be pyen a decisive vote. All tho members of the Government will bo invited to attend.-Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. CURIOUS INCIDENT IN BESSARABIA AUSTRIAN MILITARY PEACE DELEGATION ARRESTED. (Eec. June 10, 5.5 p.m.) Petrograd, June 9. A curious incident is reported from Kishinev (in Bessarabia). Twentyseven Anstrians, including two Generals, were arrested in the town, under escort. Announcing that they were peace delegates they requested a conference with tho Workmen and Soldiers' Com-mittee flie Oovernment ordered thenarrest, and word was subsequently received at the. capital that the delegation had been arrested, and would arrive at Petrograd on Saturday. The question as to whether they will be hold as prisoners of war is under consideration — Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. , MILITARY ACTIVITY ON THE NORTHERN FRONT (ftec. June 10, 5.5 p.m.) Potrograd, June U. Tim "Nord-Swl" V'cncy states that both sides aro actively reconnoitring in tho Riga region. The Germans are trying to smoko out the Russian tranche?, igniting trees by means of incendiary bombs from aeroplanes, lherq have been many attempts in tho donsely-wooded r egiou of Olar, but the Russians bavo always extinguished tho outbreaks—Aw,- is./.. Caolo Assn.