RUSSIA

Nelson Evening Mail, 18 May 1917, Page 5

RUSSIA

GLOOMY OUTLOOK WAR FORGOTTEN. IN RUSSIA. ' 'UNLESS MIRACLE HAPPENS.'' "RUSSIA 'WELL TBE OUT OF T-»E WAR." A CORRESPONDENT'S GLOOMY MESSAGES* Australian ana N.Z. Cablo Association t (Rec. May 18, L2O p.m.) LONDON, May V 7. The Morning Post's Petrograd correspondent sends two gloomy messages. • The first, dated 14th May, says : "What was foreseen two months ago is now materialising with appalling rapidity. The men who spent nearly the whole of their lives in political agitation against any existing- forrti. of Government, are proving themselves incapable of governing, and are quite unequal to the double demands of a foreign war and internal anarchy. "After two months of cheap jubilation, all European Russia has become like a jellyfish,, at the mercy of the winds and waves. Even the bread tproblem is not solved, and" has actuallyi gone from bad to worse. With the disorganisation of food and other supplies there is a steady exodus of inhabitants from "Petrograd. "•Russia seems to be rolling in money. Some of the commonest forms of labour are paid astounding rates. Municipal street-sweepers are paid at the rate of £3OO annually, and the streets are worse than ever.

"The peasants in the country liave seized all the land they want. "The army is ruled by company, regimental and divisional committees, freely discussintr orders with their superiors." The correspondent adds : "Amidst this pandemonium of freedom, all things throughout Russia seem likely to go under. The war appears to be forgotten, and a miracle must come soon to be in time."

The second message is dated 15th May. •It says: "The 'Workmen's and Soldiers' full Council has been summoned to.consider fcue coalition question. Whatever happens, matters can hardly be worse, because the late Minister's orders were altered and cancelled and the delay resulting must be militarilvi fatal. "Though Generals Brusiloff's and Gnrko's resignations have "not ,been accepted, their retirement is only a matter of time. "General Alexieff's position is unstable. ' 'lt is possible to hold two opinions regarding Russia's home interests and the revolution, but regarding Russia's share in the war no two opinions are held anywhere. "Unless a miracle happens, Russia is out of the war, and Germany has a free hand in France, leaving Russia to* be dealt with at leisure."