CHAOTIC RUSSIA.

Manawatu Times, Volume XL, Issue 1372868, 15 September 1917, Page 5

CHAOTIC RUSSIA.

Kerensky in the Ascendant Alexieff Commander-In-Chief Conflicting Stories from Various Sources. Komiloif Still Aggressive. Rumours of Surrender Unconfirmed. 1 [Aust and N.Z. Cable Association.] NEW YORK, Sept. 13. It is reported that Korniloff has offered to capitulate. General Kofniloff’s Headquarters has surrendered. PETROGRAD, Sept. 13. Colonel Vcrshovsky (Commandant of the Moscow Garrison) is named as Minister ■ for War, and Admiral Verdelevsky as Minister for Marine. The appointments of M. Kerensky as Commander-iii-Chief and General Alexieff as Chief of Staff are confirmed. A '’later message states; M. Kerensky has appointed Colonel Verchonsky, Commandant at Moscow, as Minister for War, and Admiral Verdelevsky as Minister for Marine. General Teploff becomes Commander of Petrograd, General Savinkoff remaining Governor-General General Korniloff has offered a conditional surrender. M. Kerensky demanded that his surrender shall be unconditional. LONDON, Sept. 13. General Alexieff has telegraphed to General Korniloff demanding his resignation. / A TANGLED WEB. / (Received Friday, 7.5 p.m.) PETROGRAD, Sept. 13, KJorniloff’s terms proposed the appointment of three dictators whereof he was to be one. He demanded the sup pression of all the democratic councils and committees of similar organisations. Korniloff’s readiness to surrender has been anticipated since Wednesday as he led only a small number of troops and failed to rally others to his standard. Alexieff, as chief of staff, telegraphed to Korniloff hoping to convince him him that his attempt was doomed to failure and to induce him to lay down his arms. It' is generally believed that Ivormloff is not the real head of the rebellion. Lukhomsky is regarded as being the real instigator. He is a reactionary partisan of the old court clique. It is difficult to say how far Kormloff’s attempt affected the army’s morale. ’ -if ** Petrogfad is outwardly calm, aU meetings and processions are prohibited, and the movements of all residents are strictly curtailed. Kerensky will probably endeavour to form a Coalition Government in which all sections will be given representation. TAIL WON’T WAG DOG,

LONDON, Sept. 13. The United Press correspondent at Petrograd says: r lhe Soldiers’ Committees will henceforth have no say in military affffairs. The commanders at the front will be supreme. The Latest KERENSKY STRONGER THAN EVER. ALEXIEFF SAVED CIVIL WAR. (Received Saturday, 1.5 a.m.) LONDON, Sept. 14. Petrograd telegrams show that General Alcxieff’s action in joining Kerensky saved Rmssia from the horrors of civil war. . M. Tercstchenko, Foreign Minister, after a long, difficult interview, tinally persuaded Alexicff to accept the position of Chief of Staff, Kerensky promising that the Soldiers’ Committees should not interfere with strategy. The crisis has left Kerensky stronger than ever. As Kerensky left Cabinet on Monday he said that every thought of peace was impossible. The question of power must" be decided by arms. Events have justified his boldness. The Government announces that Korniloff’s troops have boon surrounded. The stations at Pskoff and Du no are at their rear. Korniloff need expect no mercy from the Government. The Soviet rejected all proposals for mediation by Cossack delegates who offered to go to Korniloff’s headquarters. At the last moment they were not allowed to leave. Instead the Soviet sent Socialist delegates to treat with Korniloff’s troops. Directly Korniloff’s advance was known troops faithful to Kerensky collected outside Petrograd, digging fortifications and trenches with all speed and tearing up the railway lines. A largo number of Kronstadt sailors came to Petrograd. The Government buildings and telegraph and telephone lines have been strongly guarded. Petrograd is excited. Newsboys were mobbed for new editions. Opinion is divided on the merits. By some it. is said Korniloff is a German ao-ent; others that he is seeking to end conditions of anarchy. The majority waited an estimate of his strength.

LVOFF’S mysterious position, korniloff condemned. (Received Saturday, 1.35 a.m.) PETROGKAD, Sept. 14. Meetings held in many factories generally condemned Korniloff. Many resolutions were passed in favour of the Soviet taking over the government. The “Novoo Vremya, ” another paper which had a tendency to support s Korniloff, was closed by the Government’s order. Eighty of Lvoff’a associates suspectml of favouring Korniloff were arrested. Lvoff’s position during the crisis has been mysterious. After an Interview which ended in Kerensky dismissing Korniloff, the latter issued a proclamation denying Kerensky’s version of the interview and declaring lie never sent Lvoff to the Premier but that Kerensky sent Lvoff to him. This led to the final rupture. Korniloff moved his troops towards

Petrograd, urged to the enterprise by Lukhomsky, his Chief of Staff. LONDON, Sept. 14. The “Daily Express’s” Stockholm correspondent reports that Korniloff’s army consists of two cavalry divisions, an infantry division, six Cossack regiments, and many oddments. PRISONERS ESCAPED. [Aust. and N.Z. Cable Association.] PETROGRAD, Sept. 14. Since the beginning of the revolution thousands of German and Austrian prisoners have escaped from the internment, camps. Sometimes 500 escaped together. A body of 15,000 to 20,000 are now wandering about the country seeking to cross the frontier. A number have become members of the Councils of Workmen’s and Soldiers’ delegates. A few have been elected lo the executives. There have been many attempts at sabotage in the Donctz coal fields by escaped prisoners setting lire to pitheads. CHANGES OF GENERALS. [Reuter Telegram.] (Received Saturday, 1.35 a.m.) PETROGRAD, Sept. 14. Bussky has been appointed to the command of the northern and Frngoiniroff to the south-western front.