IN RUSSIAN AFFAIRS.

Northern Advocate, 13 November 1917, Page 3

IN RUSSIAN AFFAIRS.

REBELLION OVERTHROWN.

HOLT LAND VICTORIES,

CAPTIVES TOTAL 5000.

ITALY HITS BACK.

ASPECT IMPROVED.

As far as can be gathered from the fragmentary messages to hand, the Germans seem to be doing much as they like iv the Baltic. Free range for a huge battle-fleet in the Gulf of Finland has apparently been accorded, since there is no mention of any opposition, and the Aland Islands have passed into the enemy's possession practically as a matter of course.

Anxiety exists as to the holding of the Plave line by the Italians, .rho are literally fighting now for the life of their country, but there is some encouragement in messages to.day which indicate a stout resist. ance, in all probability assisted by the Franco-British reinforcements. The defenders hare succeeded in re-crossing the river, and in the Asiago region have ousted the Austro-iGermans from positions which the latter recently captured.

In the Flanders fighting zone Field-Marshal Haig is allow i»g the enemy scanty leisure, the serious assaults being kept up as rapidly as concentration will permit. The most recent offensive aimed at extend, ing the Passchcndaele ridge advantage, and was generally successful. With firm foothold in their favour the Canadians rapidly registered the attainment of the limits assigned them. On the left of the overseas men the British had to deal with the difficulty of marshy ground, before fastening on their objectives, and were compelled later to relinquish portions of their most advanced gains.

Excellent reports continue of the Palestine campaign where the Brl. tishers and Anzacs are adding to their successes. Mounted corps on Friday captured 710 of the enemy.alqng with eight field guns and several howitzers, and on the preceding day English Yeomanry gave battle to a large body of Turks, to whom they administered terrible castigation, besides capturing twelve guns. Ascalon, 12 miles north of Gaza on the coastline has fallen into the attackers hands. The Turkish casualties, apart from 5000 prisoners, are esttimatcd at 10,000. The field of operations is 600 square miles, so that the precise amount of booty taken cannot be stated yet; it amounts to an enormous quantity.

Assurances are presenting themselves that the Bolshevlki irruption in Petrograd, which aimed at supreme control, is merely a momen. tary phase and has been overmastered by the Provisional Government forces. After four days' fighting the latter are said to have gained the upper hand again, and the rebels are now reduced to a disorganised rabble, with condign punishment confronting them. An All Bussian Committee has been instituted for the salvation of the country and the original revolution's propaganda, and meantime is urging belligerents to enter upon democratic peace negotiations, suggesting a threemonths' armistice for the purpose. M. Kerensky', at the head of loyalist troops, is rapidly approaching Petrograd, where his arrival is expected hourly.