OVERNIGHT NEWS.

Mataura Ensign, 19 March 1917, Page 5

OVERNIGHT NEWS.

OH THE WESTERN FRONT. BAPAUME TAKEN, A HEADQUARTERS STATEMENT. LONDON, March 17. (Australian and. N.Z. Cable Associatioi and Reuter.) Headquarters announces that Bapaume has been taken. GREAT BRITISH ADVANCE. ' NORTH AND SOUTH OF SOMME. LONDON, March 18. J Field-Marshal Sir Douglas Haig re- j ports;— Bapaume was captured after stiff fighting with the German rearguards. The town was systematically pillaged by the enemy, who destroyed private houses and public buildings and carried off or burnt everything of value. Our advance proceeded rapidly to-day astride the Somme. v Southwards of the river we entered the enemy’s positions on a 16-mile front and occupied Fresnes, Horgny, TillersCarbonnel, Barleux, Eterpigny and La Maisonette. Northwards of the river, in addition to Bapaume we hold Le Transloy, Bieivillers, Behucourt, Achiet le Grand. Achiet le Petit, Ablainzeville, Bucquoy and le Essarts, also Quesnoy Farm. 1500 yards north-eastward of the lastnamed village. We gained the western and northwestern defences of Monchy Aubois, and carried out successful raids eastward and northward of Arras, reaching the enemy’s support, line. . CONTINUED PROGRESS. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association) LONDON, March 17. jf. Field-Marshal Sir Douglas Haig reports :■— Our advance northward of the Somme has continued, and we now hold nearly the whole of St, Pierre Taast Wood, also the trenches extending 1000 yards to the southward and 2000 yards to the northward. . We beat off an attack north-east of Gom'meconrt, and carried out successful raids near Arras, Souehez and Ter- 1 xnelles, inflicting many casualties. ( THE FRENCH ADVANCE. SLOW BUT STEADY PROGRESS. 1 LONDON, March 16. A French communique states: ! Our light detachments occupied points ; in front of our lines between the Oise 1 and the Avre. There has been lively artillerv ac- * tivity in the-region of Mai son de Champagne. The enemy attempted a coup de main against our small posts in the neighborhood of. Caurieres Wood, and at Chambrettes Farm* on the right bank of the 1 Meuse, but the effort failed. Patrol encounters have occurred in ' the Lorraine and Alsace, sectors and at Lures and Ceppois le Haut. 1 VIGOROUS FORWARD PRESSURE. -- . ( (Australian and N.Z. Cable Associatioi and Reuter.) , ’ LONDON, March 18. 1 A French communique states :■ —Onr . detachments are continuing to vigorously press the enemy. We progressed [ north of the Avre and between the Avre [ : and the Oise on a front of more than ] 20 kilometres .to a depth at certain ! points of more than four kilometres. 1 A German attack north-west of Berry an Bac was smashed by onr fire. Some ' enemy factions which "succeeded in entering portion of onr trenches were ‘ driven but immediately with the have- 1 irfhefc. ‘ < “ We'made' substantial progress by i meahs of grehades in the region west f of Maife'on de Champagne, and captured several portions of trenches. ( Lively artillery activity continues 1 throughout this sector of Forme de Schamboches. Several enemy attempts 1 ■ against one of onr trenches were final- 1 iy repulsed after a series of advances and retirements. The Germans sustained appreciable losses. We made several successful raids i west of the Meuse at Cheppy Wood, Bois le Pretre, and near Remenonvolle, west of Pont an Mousson; also at Sudelkopf, in Alsace, taking prisoners. There have been numerous air fights. Eight enemy aeroplanes were brought down. GERMANS REFUSE BATTLE. . FRENCH ENTER ROYE. LONDON, March 18. A; French communique states:—On the. whole front between Andeeby and the-Oise the enemy is refusing battle and abandoned under our pressure the powerfully and scientifically fortified lines he has ocupied for two years. Our advance to-day continues rapidly. Our patrols entered Rove and are pursuing the enemy, who blew up the crossroads and streets. Eight hundred inhabitants, whom the Germans had no time to remove, gave the troops an ovation. We also occupied Lassigny and reached and passed to the north-east thereof the Roye-Noyon Road at several points. The prisoners taken during the pursuit have not yet been counted. There -is severe military activity in Champagne and on the right of the Meuse. ' As a reprisal for the burning of Bapaume a French aeroplane to-day bombed Frankfurt on the Main. FRENGh'taKE PRISONERS. LONDON, March 17. A French communique states: —We continued to progress on both banks of the Ancre and took prisoners. There has been severe artillery activity between Soissons and Rheims. GERMAN REPORT. (Australian and'N.Z. Cable Association and Reuter ) (Admiralty 'per Wireless.) ‘ LONDON, March 18. A German official message states: — British detachments between Sailly and St. Pierre Vaast Wood and French detashments between Beuvraignes and Lassigny established themselves in tiemnfes according to onr plans. The French advance westward of Tahure failed.

THE RUSSIAN CRISIS. provisional Governments MANIFESTO. THE NEW PLATFORM. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Associatioi and Reuter.) PETROGRAD, March 17. The Czar abdicated at midnight on Tuesday, on behalf of himself and the Czarevitch, in favor of the Grand Duke Michael. The latter abdicated on Friday afternoon. The Provisional Government in a manifesto to the Russians refers to the triumph over the noxious forces of the old regime and states that the Cabinet s policy is as follows Immediate general amnesty to all political and religious officers. Freedom of speech and of the press. Labor organisation. Freedom to strike. The extension of these liberties to olficials and troops so far as military and technical conditions permit. The abolition of all social, religions and national restrictions. Immediate preparations for the summoning of a Constitutional Assembly based on universal suffrage, ' which will establish a Governmental regime and the Constitution of the country. The programme provides for the substitution instead of the police of a National Militia with elective heads and subject to self-governing bodies. Communal elections are to be based on universal suffrage. Revolutionary troops shall not he dis- i armed, hut they shall not leave j Petrograd. • The equalisation of soldiers’ rights j with those of citizens. It is notified that the above reforms j shall be instituted without delay. j THE NEW MINISTRY. | I i (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association) j PETROGRAD, March 16. j The new Ministry will be as follows: Prince George Lvoff, the well-known President of the Zemstvo Union, Prime Minister and Minister for the Interior; M. Gutchkoff, War and Navy ; M. Miliukoff, Foreign; M. Terestaheko, Finance ; M. Nekrasoff, Railways ; M. Konovaloff, a well-known Moscow merchant. Commerce. The Socialists will support the nev Ministry on condition that a general election is held for the constituent Assembly. Generals Russky and Brusiloff telegraphed to M. Rodzianko notifying the adhesion of their armies to the new regime. THE STREET FIGHTING. A REMARKABLE INCIDENT. PETROGRAD, March 16. A remarkable incident in the street fighting took place in the garden facing Kozan Cathedral. It was crowded with civilians when a body of Cossacks came up. All the civliana knelt, but the Cossacks did not fire. About 100 were killed or wounded on Monday when the Guards attempted to clear the streets. The afternoon crowds showed no anirnostly towards the soldiers, and by Tuesday four-fifths of the city was in the hands of the rebels. Moreover, a large number of the inhabitants were armed with rifles, revolvers and swords. The mobs' successfully stormed all the police stations and carefully destroyed all papers, besides releasing prisoners. The aged wife of a Minister of the Imperial Court was carried out of a burning house fainting. Her daughter, a hunchback, rushed out carrying a favorite dog. The drunken mob killed the animal and ill-treated the crippled girl. Both ladies were eventually saved. Baron Frederick was in attendance j on the Czar at the time of the out- j break. Many political police were killed ana others were dragged from their hidingplaces and lodged in the dark cells of the Fortress of St. Peter and Paul. Many released prisoners are participating in the reorganisation of the Government. THE CZAR’S WHEREABOUTS. AN EARLY ELECTION* (Published in ‘Tile Times.’) PETROGRAD, March 16. The Provisional Government states that the Czar is at Plikoff and has not been arrested. The Czarina is in perfect safety, and insists on the Czar’s abdication. 0 The Grand Duke Michael’s Regency is only temporary. The Duma has agreed with the workmen’s representatives upon an early election for Parliament on the basis of universal suffrage. CZAR’S ABDICATION CONFIRMED. (United Service.) LONDON, March 17. The Czar has abdicated. He transferred the command of the armies to the Grand Duke Nicholas; The Grand Duke Michael declined the succession, and the Government vested the executive in the Duma. POLICE IN HIDING. ARREST OF GERMAN SUSPECTS. (Published in ‘The Times.’) LONDON, March 16. Out of the huge police force which M. Protopopoff (ex-Minister for Internal Affairs) organised, drawn from Petrograd blood, only 4000 have been captured or killed. The remainder are hiding, abandoning hope, and sniping therefore lias almost ceased in Petrograd. All highly-placed personages suspected of German proclivities or hearing German names are being systematically arrested. Crowds had a long hunt for Countess Klinmichael, suspected of being a spy. They found her at the Chinese Embassy and arrested her. Baron Stokenberg fired on the soldiers from his front window, and was sum-, raarily executed. Petrograd is absolutely quiet and is under heavy snow. The Government has requisitioned all lorries and cars for food distribution. Trains of flour are regularly arriving. The greatest difficulty is in baking bread and encouraging shopkeepers to' remain open. POLITICAL PRISONERS RELEASED , (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association and Reuter.) PETROGRAD, March 17. On Thursday evening the Grand Duke , Nicholas telegraphed to M. Rodzianko . that in agreement with General AlexeiefF . he requested the Czar to take the only i possible decision which would save Rus- : sin and secure victory. The Minister for .Justice (M. Keren--1 ski), addressing a large assemblage of r soldiers ami civilians from the Duma, I announced that the first act of the new J Government would be the publication cl a decree giving full amnesty ter members of previous Dumas who bad been illegally banished to Siberia. They would be released forthwith. The British, French and Italian dip- . lomats and military attaches have in--3 formed the executive of the Duma of i their readiness to recognise the execu- • tive as the sole authority in Russia and to enter into business relations forthwith.

j STURMER DIES OF FRIGHT. i (Australian and! N.Z. Cable Association? j PARIS, March 17. 1 The Petrograd correspondent of ‘Le Temps’ states that M. Stunner (ex-Pre-mier) died of fright after arrest. DEFENCE OF WINTER PALACE. ACTIVE HUNT FOR THE POLICE. PETROGRAD, March 16. The arrested Ministers are comfortable and safe at Taurida Palace. After the Premier (Prince Golitzm) informed M. Rodzianko that he resigned the Council of Workmen’s Delegates issueo a manifesto inviting the troops and factories to choose representatives to confer with the Council at Taurida Palace on the basis of one representative for each battalion or for each 1000 workmen, factories employing less than 1000 hands sending one representative. . . , i There was an impressive scene on the arrival of the Breobrajeusky Guards, with their colonel and officers, at laurida Palace. All are men of giant stature, and they were formed up foui deep when M. Rodzinnko greeted then; at Nicholas station. Pharshol station is now ablaze. The guards manning the Wintei Palace were engaged in a long and desperate struggle to s*ve it from assault. Many soldiers who were fighting on behalf of the Court Party did so believing that the revolt was caused by Germans. But for their ignorance they would nave joined the rebels. - By Tuesday evening the whole garrison had gone j over to the Provisional Government. ! An active hunt has continued tor the | police, who were hidden in garrets by previous orders of M. Protopopoff, and they are spasmodically indulging in rifle ajnd machine-gun sniping. One proof of the anti-German objects of the revolution was the destruction and sacking of Baron Frederick’s beautiful palace in Pochstanskaya. This was a deplorable incident. EFFECT OF RASPUTIN’S MURDER. COURT PARTY OBDURATE. | LONDON, March 16. The monk Rasputin’s, murder momentarily cleared the air. For long he had oeen a kind of lightning conductor who diverted the anger of the populace from the Throne, and his death left the dy-' nasty less protected. Instead of learning the lesson the Court Party conceived a scheme for avenging Rasputin’s death upon the nation. The last phase of the reaction commenced when the Grand Duke Donitzpavlovieh, whose name was associated with the Rasputin affair, was banished to the army in Persia. Also the Grand Duke Nicholas Miehaeloviteh, who was a scholar and an historian, was banished from his estate because he approved of the murder. Prince Youssoupoff (to whom the murder was attributed) was also banished. Finally, early in the year, M. Protopopoff undertook to save the dynasty, though many of his friends believed he was on the brink of insanity. The Ministers of M. Trepoff’s late Cabinet refused to work with M. Protopopoff, and the new Ministers were of the most sinister character. It is reported'that M. Protopopoff and 1 his colleagues used frequently to go to Spiritualistic seances, where they called up the spirit of Rasputin to give them instructions. The final success .of the revolutionaries was largely due to the fact that , the campaign in East Prussia, ending in the great Russian disaster at Tnnnenberg, practically annihilated the corps of Guards who held a privileged position in the Army and who were care- , fully educated for the purpose of fighting the so-called inner enemy. The Russian Court, realising that it had lost its pillar of support, strove to foster a counter-revolutionary movement. i DETAILS OF THE FIGHTING. (Published in ‘The Times.’) LONDON, March 17. The special correspondent of ‘The Times’ in Petrograd states that the only visible signs of the desperate conflict are the charred ruins of the gaol, the: remains of the Police Institute, and the gutted houses of a few individuals regarded as offenders against the peo- ( pie’s rights. i The first troops to mutiny" were the i Yolkynski Regiment, who at 5 o’clock on Sunday refused to shoot the strikers, i and slew their officers. Another regiment sent against the mutineers joined the revolt. The news spread to the barracks and four more regiments joined. They seized the fortress, stormed, the artillery depot and i opened the gaols. Fighting was incessant until noon, on Tuesday, the insurgents winning a pitched battle on Morskaya. Numerous regiments shot their officers, and the last loyal regiment surrendered. The Admiralty on Tuesday handed over the hidden Ministers. After the besieged had poured in rims and machine-gun fire the furious battle ended in exultant shouts and the triumphant strains of the Russian revolutionary’ “Marseillaise.” CZAR’S PROCLAMATION. LONDON, March 17. The Exchange Telegraph states that the Czar signed a proclamation regard jag his abdication at Pskov, 15 copies being placarded throughout the town. 'THE GRAND DUKE-MICHAEL. LONDON, March 17. The Central News is informed that the context of the Czar’s manifesto abdicating on behalf of himself and his sou in favor of the Grand Duke Michael has been received in London. The Grand Duke Michael accepts the regency and will accept the throne if the Constituent Assembly requests him. INDICATIONS POINT TO REPUBLIC THE CZAR’S MANIFESTO. LONDON, March 17. The indications point to a Republic in Russia under Prince Lvoff. The text of the Czar’s manifesto to the people is: “In the days of a great struggle against a foreign enemy who has been endeavoring for three years to enslave our country, God has pleased to send Russia a further painful trial. In- , ternal troubles threaten to have a fatal effect on the further progress of the war. The destinies of Russia, the honor of her heroic Army, the happiness of the people, the whole future of the beloved fatherland, demand that the war be conducted at all costs to a victorious end. A cruel enemy is making his lasi efforts, and the moment is near when the valiant armies of the glorious Allies will finally overthrow the enemy’. In these decisive days of the life of Russia we thought it onr duty to secure to the people the close union and organisation of all its forces for the realisation of speedy victory’. Wherefore, in agreement'with the Duma, we recognised it for the good of the country’ to abdicate 1 the Crown and lay down onr supreme power. Not wishing to separate ourself from our beloved son, we bequeath our , heritage to our brother Michael, with our blessing for the future. The throne we bequeath to our brother to govern in full union with the national representatives, and to his inviolable oath to them, fu the name of the well-beloved I Fatherland we call upon all the faithful sons of the Fatherland to fulfil their sacred and patriotic dnfcv, obey the Czar . in a painful moment of national trial, and aid him with their representatives in. the national conduct of the Russian , State to prosperity and glory. God help Russia.” <*

GRAND DUKE MICHAEL’S MANIFESTO. AWAITING THE PEOPLE’S WILL. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.! PETROGRAD, March 18. The Grand Duke Michael issued a manifesto yesterday. He is resolved only to accept supreme power provided the - plebiscite of the nation, declared through its constituent assembly, agrees. Meanwhile he exports all Russians to obey the Provisional Government. 1000 CASUALTIES. LATE GOVERNMENT’S VIOLENCE. LONDON, March 18. The casualties are estimated at 1000 killed and wounded. Although there was no rioting at the outset the late Government used unnecessary violence, causing 300 casualties which were absolutely unprovoked. BEFORE THE REVOLT. THE ARMY’S STIPULATION. STOCKHOLM, March 17. The ‘Social Demokraten’ states that leaders, before the outbreak of the revolution, visited Headquarters and conferred with a number of generals. They were also received by the Czar and had a conference with the , Grand Duke jVlichael. They gained the impression that the whole army would join provided the revolution could be finished within a week in order not to interfere with war operations to any marked degree. When the leaders returned to Petrograd the revolution broke out. PUBLIC WITH REVOLUTIONISTS. STOCKHOLM, March 17. Neutral eye-witnesses state that public opinion in the larger towns is entirely in favor of the revolution and in demanding a more vigorous prosecution of the war until victory is assured. CZAR SAID TO BE A PRISONER. COPENHAGEN, March 18. Swedish advices state that the Czar is the Duma’s prisoner. It is rumored that the Empress was sent vo Kieff. SCENE IN THE REICHSTAG. LONDON, March 17. A Berlin message states that there was a furious scene in the Reichstag when the Socialist Herr Hoffman said that the revolution in Russia was inimical to the Hohenzollerns. After a disturbance Herr Hoffman was ejected. BRITISH LEADER RETICENT. LONDON, March IS. In the House of Commons, asked whether he had sent a message of sympathy to the Duma, and whether the Government would recognise the new Russian Government, Rt. Hon. A. Ronar Law (Leader of the House) said it would he necessary to wait until the situation was clearer. HUNGER AND HIGH PRICES. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association and Reuter.! LONDON, March 16. Mr Bonar Law stated in the .House that he regretted that his statement in the House yesterday, which was based on a message from the Duma, produced the impression that the Czar’s had been accomplished, although it had been decided by the Duma Executive. Under the circumstances it was impossible no form an accurate estimate as to what had happened. The latest from .Petrograd said that for weeks the people had been obliged to stand for five hours in 40 degrees of frost waiting to buy bread. Even then they frequently could not obtain any. Potatoes were eight times dearer than usual, while other foodstuffs were prohibitive. BRITISH LABOR’S INTEREST. LONDON, March 17. The Press Bureau states that the Labor leaders, including Messrs Henderson, Hodge, Barnes and Brace, telepraphed to the Russian Labor leaders that organised Labor in Britain was watching with deepest sympathy the efforts of the Russian people ■to rid themselves of the power of the reactionary elements which were impeding advance and victory of Labor. Britain and France had long realised that Germany’s despotism must be overcome in order,to, open the way to the free and peaceful development of nations. This had inspired them to unprecedented efforts and sacrifices. They confidently anticipate the assistance of Russian Labor, and emphasise that any remission of effort would be disastrous to their comrades in the trenches and to their common hopes and social regeneration. DEALING WITH GREEK KING. tURKEY’S COLLAPSE PROBABLE. WASHINGTON, March 16. Reports from American representatives abroad indicate that the Russian revolution may lead to stronger measures being taken to deal with the King of tlie Hellenes and perhaps his abdication. The collapse of Turkey ts probable in view of the conditions ensuing from the British victories. BRITISH MINISTER’S ENDEAVORS. THE CZAR OBDURATE. LONDON, March 16. The ‘Manchester'Guardian’s’, correspondent. states, “Lord Milner’s (Minister without portfolio) visit to Russia was partly connected with internal conditions. He endeavored to effect an agreement between the Czar and the Duma. The Czar rejected a suggestion to appoint a Ministry responsible to Parliament ‘ and declared that _it did not harmonise with Russian institutions. He also rejected a suggestion to appoint a Ministry acceptable to the Duma with M. Sazonoff (ex-Premier) as Premier and Foreign Secretary. The Czar’s obduracy defeated Lord Milner’s and other efforts to avert a revolution. Lord Milner’s failure is regarded as an indication that nothing can be expected from the Czar.’’ NOBILITY REFUSES TO JOIN. PETROGRAD, March 16. Assemblies of the nobility refused to participate in the people’s movement. Extraordinary meetings were held at which energetic resolutions wore passed against the persons responsible for the crisis. THE BALKANS. BULGARIAN REPORT. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association and Renter.) LONDON, March 16. A Bulgarian communique states: — The enemy violently bombarded our position west and north of Monastir. LOAN FOR RUMANIA. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association) JASSY, March 16. It was enounced in Cabinet that Britain had agreed to lend Rumania ‘ e.10,(100,000. GERMAN REPORT. STRONG FRENCH ATTACKS. , (Australian and N.Z. Cable A^sociawon ! and Renter.) i (Admiralty per Wireless Preps.) i LOUDON, March 16. A German official message states :-r-

Repeated strong French attacks northwest and north of 'Monastir penetrated onr front on a narrow stretch west of iMizopole, but elsewhere failed. We repulsed French advances between Ochrida and Lake Prespa. LONDON, March 18. A German official message states:— Fighting continues northward of Monastir. The British occupied the railway station at Poroj, eastward of Lake Dorian.