RUSSIA

Nelson Evening Mail, 5 April 1917, Page 5

RUSSIA

RUSSIAN CGMMANDER-M-CHIEF GENERAL ALEXIEFF'S. APPOINTMENT. RECEIVED WITH ENTHUSIASM BY THE ARMY. Australian aad N.Z Cabl» Association.' (Rec. April 5, 8.40 a.m.) PARIS, April 4. The Petit Parisien's Petrograd oorres* pondent states that the army received General _-idexieff's appointment as -Com-mander-in-Chief with enthusiasm. ARMY TO BE INCREASED. COMBING OUT ORDERED. (Remter's Telegrams.) ~LONDON, April 4. The Daily Chronicle's Petrograd correspondent says M- Gutchkoff points out that the enemy are preparing for a vigorous offensive- on the Russian front, and emphasises that the active army needs fresh contingents. He instructs commanders and governors to comb out all but indispensable men, and train them rapidly for service at the front. NATIONAL SERVICE ' PROSPECTS OF VOLUNTARY ENROLMENT. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) LONDON, April 3. Speaking in the House of Commons, Mr Bonar Law said the Government could that voluntary National Service was a failure, but difficulties were being removed. So far 119,706 had enrolled, of whom half were engaged on work of national importance. Questions followed, indicating much anxiety as to the prospects of Mr Neville Chamberlain's campaign. Mr Anderson said that as far as the working classes were concerned it was a complete failure. Working men would not enrol, though they were willing to help the nation. Mr Bonar Law replied that he hoped the changes in the schemes would secure their co-operation. Mr Arthur Henderson, presiding at a conference on the trade card scheme, stated that in view of the Army's needs it was' necessary to release a large number of munition woi-kers. Ho foreshadowed a new system whereby indispensables would not be disturbed. EMPLOYMENT OF WAR PRISONERS. (Australian and N.Z. Gable Association.') &nd Reutcr.) LONDON, April 3. The Press Bureau states that arrangements have been made to license on parole selected civilian war prisoners for emplovment in essential industries. They will live on their employers' premises, and will not be connected with war operations. They will receive the ordinary rate of wages. They will- report themselves twice weekly to the police.