"FREE RUSSIA."

Northern Advocate, 20 July 1917, Page 3

"FREE RUSSIA."

A FOUL BLOW STRUCK. 'IKS CABIiXET -RESIGNATIONS. PETROGRAd TURBULENCE. A-ustraliau and N.Z. Cable Association. (Press Assn.—Reed. '8.35 p.m.) PETROGRAD, July 18. M. Kerensky describes the retirement of the Cabinet Ministers as a blow in the back for Free Russia, and menacing the success of General Brusiloff's offensive. The soldiers' demonstration began in the afternoon, when motor lorries bristling with machine-guns and .manned by. Maximalist agitators of the I.W.W, type, paraded the streets. The population at first kept indoors but later emerged and watched the demon, stration with curiosity. Some regiments, yielding to the persuasion of the Maximalists, left the barracks in the evening, carrying arms, contrary to orders. 'One regiment marched along the Nevsky Prospekt, evidently going to the Duma, when suddenly shots were fired at the troops. The population bolted for cover, whereupon the soldiers began a wild fusillade, wliich was continued until their magazines were emptied. They then abandoned their march to the Duma and' .returned quietly to the barracks. In twenty minutes the city bore its customary aspect. Meantime four motor lorries filled with armed soldiers, sailors, and Maximalists dashed for Warsaw station, intending to prevent M. Kerensky (Minister of War) going to the front. They found he had already departed. Another party seized the offices of the newspaper "Novoe Vremya," and compelled the compositors to type a proclamation calling on people to appear in the streets armed, demanding the overthrow of the Provisional Government, the seizure of land, -factories, and other sources of production. The "Times'" Petrograd correspondent cabled on July 18 that the Ministry was discussing the question of re-organisation and the All-Russia Soldiers and Workmen's Committee Executive was considering the situation. Masses of workers were standing all night round the building in which the executive .and the Government were collaborating, tranquilWsing the crowds and endeavouring to prevent armed action.