WORKMEN AND SOLDIER DELEGATES

Nelson Evening Mail, 14 May 1917, Page 5

WORKMEN AND SOLDIER DELEGATES

AN EXTRAORDINARY MANIFESTO WORKERS AND P£ACE. . • i- •• -v CAUL, TO INTERNATIONAL SOCIALISTS.' ' • (Australian and N.Z. Gable Association.) • - PETROGRAD, May 12. The executive of Gouncil of Workmen's and Delegates issued' an extraordinary; manifesto T "Convening: an International Socialist peace conference. The executive - 'proposes that a conference be held' in a neutral country, and demands that free passages be granted to' all' parties and factions in order that delegates representing' the minority parties in every State may be present. 'The manifesto says the time has come to begin a decisive struggle against the annexation desires of the Governments of all- countries. The people'must decide the question of war and peace. The Russian "democracy proclaims that it will combat by every means the ruling classes' policy of conquest. The manifesto concludes: "Workers of all countries, in extending - to- you a fraternal hand over mountains of our brothers' corpses and across rivers of innocent blood and tears we summon you to the renewal and strengthening of international unity." In explaining the manifesto to the Russian Guards. M. Clieidz, "president of the Council of Delegates, said : "While the German people to overthrow William and the old regime our bayonets . will be turned against Germany." DECLARATION OF LOYALTY BY'' LEADING MEMBfino. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) (Rec. May 14. 9.50 a.m.) PETROGRAD; May 13... M. Skobeleff, a leading niember of the Executive Committee of the Workmen's and Soldiers' Delegates, roundly declared that at the sitting of jthe, Council

every Russian proletarch scorn fillly repudiated a. separate peace.;; and every soldier who concerted such with the Germans injured the general cause of the Russian democracy. The army must be a powerful organisation, ready to fight, not merely in the trenches,' but to. take the offensive.. The Executive .resolved, by 23 to 22 not to participate in the Coalition Ministry. There were eight abstentions, including most of the in- . fluential committeemen for personal reasons. The question is referrable to the Plenary Committee, when it is anticipated the vote will be reversed. COALITION MINISTRY PROBABLE. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) LONDON, May li. The Daily News' Petrograd correspondent says it seems clear that a coalition Ministry will be formed. M. Lenin and other extremists, encouraged by the success of their agitation, are impugning the authority of the present leaders of the.Council of Workmen's and Soldiers' Delegrates. M. Lenin describes Scheidemann as the agent of Imperialistic .Germany. ... - . .:. ... ... COMMANDER AT PETROGRAD RESIGNS. TRANSPORT REORGANISATION: (Rec. Mav 14, 12.30 p.m.') PETROGRAD, May 13. General Formloff has resigned command of the troops at Petrograd, apparently due to friction with the Council of Workmen's and Soldiers' Delegates. The War Minister declares that if a definite agreement is reached with America, . the reorganisation of the trans? port'system and the supply of., muni-, tios w-ill- be ._ satisfactorily solved jn a few; -weeks. ~ The revictualfing of the army is at present most unsatisfactory", Tbut will shortly be improved. The army lias been reorganised, enabling the •utilisation of men of. talent. ,