RUSSIAN REVOLUTION.

Greymouth Evening Star, 17 March 1917, Page 5

RUSSIAN REVOLUTION.

PgTROGRAO BECOMES igiUisTEii, WOH KEUS’ LO VA L DETERMINATION. LONDON., March 15. The Central News; Petrograd correrpendent states, that since Wednesday night the Minister's war communications have been taken to Oh.' Dumas meeting place. Petrogiad is. gradually assuming a quieter aspect, but desultory shooting continues* m most of the streets, few people routining out of doors. Tonight the workmen declared their determination to work overtime to make up arrears, of work and to prosecute the war until victory is attained. The soldiers have taken over the Imperial palaces. The commander of the palace visited M. Rodzianko, head of the Provincial Commit-tee, slating that the Empress wished to sec him. The Grand Duke Cyril lent his motor to the troops which were detailed to meet the machine-gun regiments which had joined* the revolution. He addressed the troop:!, saying: "We are all Rmsians'and must try to avert superiiuou:; disorder and bloodshed. We all desire a real Russian Government.'' The Central News r,lutes that the revolutionary movement is spreading like wildfire. Enormous quantities of piovisions. are arriving in Petrograd. M. Protop, poll' personally surrendered to the Duma.

THE PRELIMINARY EVENTS THE QUESTION OF REVJC'JTALL!NG. PARIS, March 15. A, wireless, message from IVirograd tie scribes the events’leading up to the outbreak. After Hu; Duma had adopied M. ,M iliiik: If; motion demanding immediate ievictnaldiig a council of Minis lei's was held. M. i!uip:ianl;o urged trusting the Zematvoi v. il 1 1 rcvietualling. Prince Gaiilzm stated that rids would necessitate a complete remodelling of (he law.:. M. Rodzianko and M. Ghblieglovi* tofl promised to sei-iue a volo l"i‘ remodelling' the laws, but the Duma was dissolved next day. AMERICAN ACCOUNTS. OVERTHROW OF PRO-GERMANS. WASHINGTON, March IT The State Department has received continuation of the substance of the Russian revolution, but there are n<> details to any extent. The officials regard it as probably the greatest democracy victory of the century, ensuring a closer political sympathy with thg democratic ideal of the Allies and a more tenacious prosecution of the war to liberate Europe. -The New York (Robe states that pro-Germans in Russia are responsible for the absolutism and them overthrow is assured by the success of the rev-duiionists. EVENTS IN PETROGRAD. TROOPS ivKFI SE 'TO EIRE. VANGOrVER, March 15. The Berlin official news agency gives details of the revolution at Peliograd, alleging that food • riots, following general disturbances at Potrogiad and Moscow and street parades., led to a clash between the mounted police ami the populace. Eproar broke out in the Duma when. M. Rodzianko and M. Miliukofi fiercely assailed the Government. The Premier closed the sitting. Members actually threatened the Ministers with their fists. Excitement in the street.-, was great and the printers struck at the printing offices, leaving the city without newspapers. On Haurday the troops fraternised witli the people and allowed it to bo known that they would not fire despite oi tiers from their superiors. Looting occurred and the police and striker;: frequently clashed. MESSAGE TO TITe TSAR. . Finally, M. Rodzianko despatched a special courier to the Tsar, demanding the dismissal of the Government and declining responsibililv for coming events; if the Tsar supported 1 Viujce Golitz.in. The latter answered the letter by dissolving the Duma. The Tsar thereupon left: Petrogrud for Tsar kee Zealo, en route to the army at the front. The revolution then entered its final stage, particulars, of which were not disclosed, and ended with the establishment of a. Revolutionary Committee and a Revolutionary Government. At Moscow the revolt was also successful, the troops joining the Zemstvos wholeheartedly.

AM EYE-WITNESS’S ACCOUNT. STREET FIGHTING. STOCKHOLM, March 15. An eye-witness of Saturday’s events in Tetrograd nates that the authorities from the lirst feared to employ the troops against the revolutionaries. The lighting between the populace and the police, supported by acme Cossacks, was very sanguinary, but part of the Cossacks sided with the people. When the superintendent of police in the Vyborg quarter ordered the Cossacks to charge, he wan cut down. STiRBfMQ SCENES. CIVIL WAR JX THE STREET!?. f REUTfiII’S TEU.GJU.M.I LONDON. March 15. Reuter’s correspondent in I’etrograd, describing the stirring events at the capital, says that he has been by day and night in the streets during the last three days and has seeb long queues of hungry men, women, and children ogtside the bakers’ shops. He has seen the wanton firing of rifles and machine-guns, and has seem civil war in the main thoroughfares, yet he has not hoard a single word against the Avar. The shortage of food, lack of organisation and neglect of the most

elementary precautions are popularly ascribed to Herman iiitluonces and the patriotic determination to exterminate them was, tired by the recent killin.i- of the monk Ranputm, hi ♦ ARMY SUPPORTS THE DUMA. The storm burnt on the 121 h- uegimeiitsi declared for the, Duma and the people, and the naval banacks were opened to enable the sailors’ participation. Describing the scenes in the streets', the correspondent say;; that the troop;; were ordered to uso their rifles and maeiiine-guns:. There were only a few cartridge!! in the belts of the ma-chine-guns, but 4 the crowds were so dense that many fell. The riflemen either had a. largo number of blank cartridges or their shooting wan inton. tionally bad. The garden fronting the Cathedral was packed with people. AN hen a lame force of Coasacksi came up all kneeled. The Cossacks did not tin*. THE POLICE UNPOPULAR.

The people arc particularly resentful against the police, because several were employed on Sunday to lire on the crowd, in consequence of the re fusal of many of the military to do so. Several of the police, including a high official, were shot. Later, several of the Guards regiments, numbering 25,000, joined the people, with arms.. Another Guards regiment refused to lire. INITIAL SUCCESS. The arsenal ami artillery headquarters were laken and the commandant killed. The British military attache was Uiere at the time and was eacoiled to the Embassy by a guard from tile fortress. The populace also entered this and it is now the headquarters of Uie revolutionary forces. Tin* Duma members, asiembliim on lue ! :>t!i. found an Imperial iceiipl, suspending the sessions’ till AprilTli'dl’Mpuii the parly Hadcis decided not b> disperse. AX HISTORIC SITTING, An birtoiic sitting was held, at the conclusion of widen me I'rcsidem, telegraphed I" the Tsar, describing the prevailing conditions. He mentioned that the troops, were tiring against each oilier amt :eque.:lcd. that a person enjoying the confidence of the country be charged, and the formation of a new Government be proceeded with. ■’Delay is impossible," the message continued. ’’Any delay mean,: death. Pray God that this our responsibility does net fall on the Crowned Head. The Duma President similarly wired the Chief of Staff, General Aiexielf, and commanding generals-, asking them m use their influence with the Emperor. General Bruailolf replied ; “1 have fulfilled my duly to the tsar and my country.’’ General Rimsky replied: “I have carried out your reouesL" MESSAGE T'> THE TSAR. The i'resident telegraphed to the 'Tsar that the situation - was worse, urging immediate measure.; : "Say, lor to-morrow may be too late, Ihe last hour has arrived, when the tale of the country and the dynasty L being decided.”

implying- to a deputation iVum the revetting troops, who enquired tne Duma';;. attitude, the President cmimunieated the resolution that the hour had .struck for a change of auliiority, in which the ■ Duma would take a very active part. The President dwelt o'i the urgency of preserving order. The Duma had appointed a non-party committee for that object. Later, more troops and armed citizens arrived at the Duma, where the guard was replaced by troops it! revolt. who took over the charge of the building at 5.150.

AIIIIK.ST OF Til K P! IKS IDF NT. A revolutionary escort brought in tiie President and the Council of Kmjure under arte.a- lie and me exMinister of Justice and one of the prominent reactionaries were lodged in the Ministerial room of the Duma It was intimated that steps were being taken to remove the so-called Kerman gang once and for all. POLITICAL IM’IStLN'FJIS JIKLKASKI). Tin; news spread that the revolutionaries had seized the lotted Kresty prison after a short resistance and ail the political prisoners had been liberated. The same thing followed with other prisoners, and the detective headquarters were demolished. The archives relating to political persons and organisations were burned. Karly in the afternoon the Premier, Prince (lalil/in, telephoned to the Prevalent of the Duma that he had

'flic revolutionaries searched the houses of several of the Ministers' of the Council. The workmen’s, delegates issued a manifesto to the revolting troops, and factories, ( inviting them to attend a meeting at the Duma on the basis of one representative per battalion and one per thousand or less workmen respectively. The delegate,-; also appealed to the people to assist: in provisioning Hie troops, pending the organisation of sup]dies. Civilians, continued to arrive at the Duma, some in motor;;, others with lorries bringing large reserves, of cartridges,, which were promptly di;y tribe, led. LEADERS’ GOOD ADVICE. Orator;: from the Duma steps; dwelt on the necessity for the preservation of order end the need for an immediate resumption c f work at all factories,, lest the armies, at the front should be handicapped when <>ll the verge of victory. The correspondent, after listening to the speeches', returned to the centre of the city, where he found the district law court;! aflame. A little distance off he saw signs of the recent fight between the factions. r l he'guard had used machine-guns and rifles', but there were few casualties. Generally the Government troops showed little reluctancy in accepting (lie inevitable.

Till': IIEVOLT GENERAL. Telegraphing on the evening of the 13th, me correspondent- says that all the naval and military forces in •! etu*grad have now declared themselves on me side i f the people. T roop s from Kronstadt, with a few officers, have arrived and joined the people. i lie streets are now perfectly safe, though there is occasional exuberant firing. i here lias been a wholesale demolition and burning of police stations in revenge for the police, in soldiers' unii'onm;, manning machine-guns: and dropping grenades, from building.; and bouses. The naval brigade, seeing this, secured machine-guns- and retaliated with a sharp fusillade. 'They broke into an hotel which was used as a hospital, arrested two hundred Russian officers, and took them to the Duma. .FOREIGNERS WELL TREATED. The foreign officers, wounded, including Britishers, were treated wan the greatest courtesy and were transferred elsewhere, it is estimated that tlie'eiviiian casualties number of a lew hundred, mostly wounded. '1 he streets 1 resent an animated appearance, with troops and hospital vans. There is ceaseless cheering and a feeling of the deepest thanksgiving for what has been accomplished with so little bloodshed. Vi hen the disturbance culminated the Ministers were aittiug at the Admiralty, which was defended by troops bul the guard finally went over to the revolutionaries-. The* Minister of Justice took refuge at the Italian Embassy, whence tie telephoned to M. Rodzianko, President of the Duma, to send a nuher car to take him To the Duma Committee. ARREST OF OFFICIALS. M. Dubrovin, fin* "Black Hundred ’ leader, wa * am ;(ed and taken to the Duma late last night. The e-x-Mbusier. M. Rrotopopoti’, voluntarily surrendered to the commissioners of the executive. XE\r M 1 X ESTERS APPOINTED. The Coinniitl.ee O' the Duma has taken over the Minislra's and other iiiiji"rlai:i appointmoiiis have been made. There is little doubt that the army is now unanimous, including a unmoor of officer;; belonging to crack regiments. EMPRESS 13MDER GUARD. RRO-GERMA.NS MURDERUiI. [AUSTRALIAN ANT) N.Z. CAULK ASSOCIATION.] Received this dav at lAt 5 a.mLON DUX. March Hi'The “Daily Glirouudc's” Pclrograd correspondent states: The Empress was placed under a guard. CO HEX HAG UN. March ML it is reported that the pro-Ger-imm ex-Prcmicr, M-* Stunner, and M. RrotopopofV. wore murdered-

CZAR’S ABDICATION. act vft lnto FFFFCT. (•NOIXVIDOSSV M'IUVO ’Z S (IN V NVI'J VIMSfI vj Deceived tlli.S (lilV lit 8.;.*) JI.IU. LOADGX, March Hi. Mr i'onar Law announced that the Czar's abdication lias not: yet 1 ukon effect- He added that a Begeney was arranged, but the Czar's whereabouts are unknown. QUESTIONS !N THE HOUSE. STATLMFNT BY THU CHAXcfllgb. J AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CAULK ASSOCIATION.] Received tin’s dav at LJ.ffo a-m. LU.VDtLX, March Hi. in the House of Coimuons, Sir .)■ !!• Dalziel asked whether (In' Government had any information to give the House regard!no- Hu* wild rumours concerning the comdilion of affairs in .Russia.

?d r Ilonar Law said Hint in a matter of this gravity it was tin* duty of the Government to give all the information possible. Only to-night had the Government received definite information of the happenings in Bussia- A rebellion was a serious thine 1 at. any lime, not only to the country affected, hut to our Allies- Tin* first■ mows the (iovernment had of any serious trouble in Bussia came by telegram on Friday night. it simply said that there were disturbances in the -streets. Since then there had been daily telegrams giving more or less tentative information- The Fmhassy was unable to send full information, bed by decrees it: became plain that Betrograd was becoming more or less under ordered rule, that rule being 1 the rule over which the President of the Duma was exercising l control. Almost from the outset the soldiers and sailors had taken the Duma's side in the revolution, the result being 1 , as tar as the information had readied the Government, that there had not .been any serious loss of life. The discontent in Russia was due not to a desire for peace, but because the people were dissatisfied that: the war was not being 1 conducted with sufficient energy. Mr Bonar Law added that he would be glad to give a reassuring statement. In what lie said there was some comfort. It was the com para tire tramp.! i 1 lit y w herewith the change had been conducted. He had just received a t elegram from Bussia stating that the railways and public services were again working. He appealed to the,.House not to continue the discussion, which was adjourned.

ORDER RESTORED. NEW GOVERNMENT Adis A UWgEH'GHI). LONDON, Mure!. 1(3. The Ambassadors acknowledged tlie Provisional Government. 1 lie revolution completely .succeeded, and older was practical;y restored. ANTI-GERMAN MOVE MFN T * GERMAN fiOUSiCS LOOTED. [AUSTRALIAN Aft!) N.. 0, CALLS ASSOCIATION. I Received this day it! S.bO a.-ni-LONDON, March. Hi. The “Morning Host’s” Retrograd corrospomteiit says;—lt is satisfactory to note that concurrent with the revolt against the Government is the determined effort to root out anything suspected of being pro-German. Many Herman houses were looted and burned, idle people declare that the movement will infuse fresh vigor into the war- The soldiers cooperated earnestly, and after (he hrst exhilaration co-opera led in restoring' order. Machine guns were mounted on armoured motors ami fusiladed heavily the Astoria Hotel exclusively occupied by officers from the front, with their wives and families ,and also Hie Allied military representatives, but later it was explained that the fusilading' was due to pro-Ger-mans’ provocation by tiring- from a window. A mob of armed men, soldiers, sailors, and civilians searched the hotel, disarming the Russian officers, but treating' the Allied officers with respect. There was heavy lighting in the factory quarters for days, until the alleged excessive cruelty of f!i(' police caused the soldiers and Cossacks to take sides with the people, THE PROVISIONAL MENTA PR!K'LAMATML\ ISSUE!). [AUSTRALIAN AX'D N. 7.. CAULK ASSOCIATION.J JUGPUX HAG EX', March Hi. 'The Russian Provisional Government has issued a proclamation that owing to the difficult eireumstane.es and disorganisation of flic country in the inferior, for which the former Government was responsible, the Executive Committee, fully realising* the importance of the decision, feels sure that the population and Army will assist in the difficult task of forming a new Government, which will be in a position to fulfil the people's wishes and secure the public confidence.

A GRAPHIC ACCOUNT. oimax of THE TKoniLi]. [AUSTRALIAN AXi) X’.Z. GABLE ASSOCIATION.] j I ('r(‘i \'o<! I liis (lav lit 0.1!) amLO.X 1)0 A, March HiTin' ‘ “Central .News' 1 Telroyrad correspondent says : —M- Kodzianko stands out as the man responsible tor the maintenance of order- If the news canio as a surprise to the rest of the world, the cause is over-rigorous censorship. The country has been restless for months owing to the rise in food prices. Although (he wages of workmen, in .Russia doubled and trebled tlie area of discontent widened. The winter also was exceedingly severe- .Fuel and other necessaries were only obtainable at famine prices. On the top of these misfortunes came the shortage of bread, which was not due to a lack of supplies, but owin'"' to tiie absence of fixed prices for flour- In (lie villages the peasants were only receiving 'prewar rates for their productsFmissaries, actin'.’' in the interests of the (Jermans, warned the peasants that it was necessary to hold back supplies- This action resulted in very little corn reaching the markets. Meanwhile there was plowing disaffection because men unknown to {lie people and not trusted by them were being- placed at the head of the various departments of State-

A month ago a number of men visited the ammunition works at Potrograd, professing to speak on behalf of AL Afilinkoff, the popular leader of the Cadet party, urging the workmen to strike as a protest (against the continuance of the war- The emissaries distributed arms among the workersThere would have been industrial disorders a month ago, but M. Milinkoff himself exposed the scandal. The storm burst on Friday and the rioters appeared in the streets shouting: “We want bread!” There was little or no-disorder-The demonstrations on Saturday assumed a more serious aspect, and fighting commenced in the working-class district between the police and. life workmen. The military were requested to quell the disturbances, but refused to act. Later they openly took the side's of Hu* people- Bed flags appeared among 1 the troops themselves and there was occasional looting. Sunday was another exciting day- Shooting was general and the police were driven from the streets, after suffering heavy losses from the rifles and machine guns of the militaryMonday was a day of many surprises. The Czar announced the closing of the Duma, and the Council of State at Betrograd was ablaze with excitement- The doors of the Kresey prison were thrown open and political prisoners, including twelve workmen's, delegates, recently arrested, were released. The prison was burnt. The arsenal fell after a short though fierce resistance, before the assault of the revolted troops- 'file Imperial winter palace and the State Departments were seized, meanwhile streets,

such as the .Nevsky Prospect, boxokhavaya, amt Vv osnescenoky i'inspect were uangex'om: owing to Uie jico of rifles and machine gums. jjie s tree is, nevertheless, wane x'uji ut people iu holiday attire, openly sympathetic- Soldiers in armoured moiur-cars appeared everywhere- it was evident that someone with a keen organising hram was directing (lie movemen I. Men and women openly sy mpatlirsed wmi the revolutionme Puma continued sitting ns it was necessary to control the populace and gave it gunlaiieeTH 2 EU7RY OF BACK PAP. THE POPULACE DELHI 11TED. Received 111 in day at D-oO a.m, UENDOA, March Id. When the British vanguard entered Baghdad diver.; sects and races li'ued the streetl.alc-oiiicr., and mots, hurrahing. Croup.: el diildrcn danc-d before us, shouting and cheering, j he women amced out in huiluay druxer. The pc pje nave been robbed m order - to supply tiie Turks. the < p ]' 'i’ ,s.om 1 1 *,■ the ia.;| two years, bad lie.'ii unendurable. and iuat week dcg'nierated into brigandage. Tiie mere mention ol' die British was punishaide. the Turks abandoned hope on ]• el a’uary'd-'ird and 1- ute-d wholesale, s ;;ii g the mei chandise to Famarrali. The (dennan ('onsui left a Uriluight and the .'acrain (Tnsu! two dav,-; 1 rotore- i lie bridge and clothing factory were Mown up on March 10th, and ‘ln. railway station, hospital, and British pr pei tv gutted. The Kurds looted when the Turkish gendarmerie loir, rilling the bazaars.. Morelia!os aiv craving our protection. Regimen is ware detailed to police tiie bazaais and hmi am and t'nev found the rabble (may dismantling the shoes, they even looud the seals, IT. m the public gardens. i he British attilude was eliarae ! er istic. i iiere wa.i no display and no attempt to create an impi esMo,;. We entered dusty and unshaven, after bal'd lighting, bivouacking and lighting from March 71 h m March HUh. Kxtraordinary gallantry was shown in crossing (he Dial,a. PiiUVISIUNA L CUM MIT TEEIho Puma lormcd a provisional committee of twelve tor the establishment ol order, composed of ■ M. Radzianko, Negrasott, Kouov.ilolf, Poi trioukoff, Kerensky, Tcdmidze, Ehouigin, Siiidlovsky, Miiinkoti, Jvaraoulolx, Lvoff, and Rozhevsky. The newspapers are not publishing, but a group of journalists issued a sheet coutainmg the main news, including the ' arrest of M- Stchegloviloft and the capture of the .Petropaviovsk fortress.

On Momhiy :i deputation repre'seuting Ab.lHh'l revolted soldiers, appeared before the 'Duma and demanded information concerning' the position taken up by t*Jie represent:) fives of the people- Alivodzianko replied that the Duma's motto at the present was the removal of the old power and its replacement by new- He added that with a view to the realisation of tin’s aim the Duma was taking an active part, and order and calm were necessary. Af- ivodzianko gave the delegation the text of telegrams sent to the (’/ar. (tenoral Alexief, Chief of the General Stall', and the three commanders-in-chief at the various fronts. The messages were as follows: —"J 1“* .situation al the capital is grave. Anarchy |iu\;-iis, and the Government is paralysed. Transport, supplies and fuel arc completely disorganised, the general discontent is in-

cm,singly!. RODZANUO'S MESSAGES. A FERVID A i’I’KAL. Received this t!:iv ;R 10.tO :i.in. LDNDD.V March lb. The "Dcnti'al News says; M. lux! /■anko's telegram cmtumcu ; ‘Tiriiig o proceeding hi the s icc'.mc and the tan ps „.v simmmg one aim. her. ii 14 i,e. os-aiy i.hai siiiiieoiie w a.o enjoys tile cuamtcine ni i!»> jiimipie Humid l>e 1 barged with the (Oilv :>( torming a new Gove: mui'iii. Delay i.~- n:iiii.ss:f(ie. lor e\ery de.ay means death, i‘j a\ (J• >ll that the respotis.itiiily toe tins nmv nut i;ji! iiuua iin* wearer of thy ( ' I I ■ WI!. M. Rrusiiufi replied : "1 received your telegram, ! have Cn:;c my duty l> lure ins- email rv and before the Dzar. D.meral it.ns.-lty reput'd ; "'ejnr telegram reeeiveil. I Jia\e executed your eummiss on.” M. Rud/.ianku in a second wire, to the f/ar saui: "J lie situation is worse. Mm. surea must be taken immediately. T'o- ; morrow may be too late. At last toe hour has arrived when the late of Uie iiathcrland and the Dynasty wiil be decided.” During Monday an iho Ministers ex eept At. RrotopopotL left otiiee. On Tlinrsday rcvoiuuonanes seized the Astoria lintel. A deputation the previous evening promised- not to atiaek if the inmates promised not to use arms. An under, taking was given, but afterwards a madnue-gim was turned on the soldiers; and cross■ firing went on hcreeiy for two hours. There were many Allied oiheers in the Astoria Hotel, who were allowed to leave without molestation before the bring opened, hour Russian Generals, however, were arrested. A Princess who occupied a room in the hotel, was accidentally wounded in the throat. .1 he movement is strongly aiiti-Oei-man. The crowd everywhere cheered the liiilish officers. f-URTHiiR DETAILS. AGAINST G ERMAX INEL FENCES. [AUSTRALIAN and n.z. cable association.J Received titi.: dav at 1t).5 a.in. LONL)OX. March Hi. Mr. ii. M. Hyndman, a wealthy Sudalist, interviewed, said that ho war, aware for some time that the Dowager Empress, the advanced party in the Duma, the Council of Empire, and sonic commander,s, at the front headed "the movement. The present ultimatum to the Tsar was. a demand that lie free the country from German influence*!, and depone the reactionary Ministers l . England lent Runs'a about .-£500,000,000 on the Duma':! security and strength. THE NEWS IN THE TRENCHES. TSAR’S TRAIN HELD UP. [AUSTRALIAN A Nil N,7. CABLE ASSOCIATION.] Received tins day at 11.15 a.m. AMSTERDAM, March 10. Advices from Victim, stale that I he Run dain tro. pa in the trenches loudly

cheered the new;;, of the revolution. 'The Central Mews Betrograd correspondent says: It is understood that tiie soldiers held up the Tsar'g train, bin the '1 :;ar is safe at Pakotf. The Empress, ia hysterical and the Tsarevitch ill with nieade:!. Food piices have fallen enormously.