RUSSIAN MORALE WEAKENING.

North Otago Times, Volume CV, Issue 13966, 25 August 1917, Page 6

RUSSIAN MORALE WEAKENING.

NEW OFFENSIVE IMPOSSIBLE WITHOUT ALLIED. ~ ; ASSISTANCE.; '.;; /: DESPATCH OP JAPANESE TROOPS, SUGGESTED'.•' •' (Australian and New Zealand Cable Association.) WASHINGTON, August 23. There is much speculation and some disquietude owing to'the latest advices from Russia, which show that assistance from the United States is needed. President Wilson is considering plans to help to rebuild economic Russia and thus ensure supplies to the armies. The Russian Embassy officials now admit that the armies cannot be expected to renew the offensive on a large scale until help has been received.

(Renter's Telegrams.)

PETROGRAD, August 23. General Letcliitsky, recently commanding Russia's western front has been appointed Commander-in-Chief on the northern front, (Reuter's Telegrams.) . ■*• PARIS, August 23. The Petit Journal announces that then; are difficulties in the 1 way of Japanese intervention in Europe, but it has been rumoured 1 that the "Glorious Dawn" will be symbolised by the appearance of the Japanese flag on the Russian front. (Australian and New Zealani Cable Association.) NEW YORK, August 23. The Japanese mission had a very warm reception. The Mission pointed out that Japan was willing to assume a larger share in the war. ... CONFLICTING NEWS FROM RUSSIAN FRONT. RUMANIANS CLAIM SUCCESS OF DASHING COUNTERI ; ATTACK. N

(Australian and New Zealand Cable Association.) " v | LONDON, August 23. An official German report says: Strong Rumanian attacks south of theTrotus Valley were repulsed with heavy enemy losses. A Rumanian communique states: Enemy attacks north of the Susita Valley, slightly forced us hack, but our dashing counterattacks drove the enemy far back into the Susita Valley and Saturna. South-west of Panciu violent enemy attacks between Slanieu, Tirju and Ocna were driven back almost everywhere in disorder. (Australian and ReuterV •■'..;■ Received August 24, at 5.5 p.ra> LONDON, August 23. A wireless Russian official report says: We retired under pressure in the direction of Tukkurn. The enemy- penetrated our trenches at Zboryah but our counter attack drove him out. The enemy occupied the heights north-west of Jablpvetz, but coun-ter-attacks restored the position, Fighting continues in the direction of Ocna. The Rumanians repulsed attacks at Soveia. The jGerpians unsuccessfully: attacked in'.the region of Focsani. ■;,•::' ":';> Australian and Renter). Received August 24/ at 5.5 p.m. i...' \ . LONDON, August 23. A-w.ireless German official message says: The Russians, after destroying the villages, evacuated the territory westward of the Aa. - . ; ■■■ ■'■ ' .-.- " ~ -';

; ; 'organising itussiA's mighty resources, ,„„ A t j i HISTORIC CONFERENCES GATHERING IN .MOSCOW. AMERICA PROMISES' INVALUABLE AID. ' . ' )" . (Reutcr's Telegrams). Received August 24, at 8.20 p.m. • ,/. < ..:.".'.. , ' , . :v PETROGRAD, August 23. . Ttie Government.is'taking' vigorous steps to purge Petrpgrad of uiidcsn'ables, evacuatecUchari.tab.lf institutions, deported -old gendarmes, secret police and other dangerous elements, sending, many to the front who have,, been wrongly exempted, and strictly limiting the incoming population., The' elections for the Constituent Assembly have, been postponed from 30th September to 25th November, . The Assembly meets, on the jl.ltli December. (Aujtrilianmd New Zealand Osole Association.) * Received August 25, at 12.5 a.m. '"', -

' •.'";,' LONDON, August.23. ' The Petrograd correspondent of. The Daily Chronicle states that an important series of conferences are to meet in Moscow. The most important opens on Saturday, representing Leninites, Workers' and Soldier's Council, Peasants' Council, and all other representative organisations, the delegates totalling two thousand. M. Kercnsky will preside. The Ministers will report on the military, financial and agrarian' ......

A preliminary, conference, including M. Rodzianko, General Alexieff, General Brusiloff, General Yudentics and General Kaledin, and representatives of the various interests and classes is now draw : ing up resolutions for submission to Saturday's congress.

It is hoped to find a policy acceptable to the Socialists and the middle classes.

(United .Service)

Received August 25, at 12,5 a.m. / J WASHINGTON, August 24. Following a ; conference between President Wilson and the Cabinet and M. Bakhmstieff, it'was announced that the United States will meet all. requests from Russia for assistance. The Conference agreed,' upon a huge loan, also immediate supplies..

RUSSIA RESUMING MARCH TO VICTORY: BRITISH VIEW OP RECENT RETREAT. LONDON, August 2. In his Note to the Allies, the Russian Minister for Foreign Affairs, M. Terestchenko, says: At the moment when new and grave misfortunes are threatening Russia, we consider it our duty to give our Allies, who shared with us the burden of the trials of the past, a firm and definite explanation of our point of view regarding the conduct of the war; The greatness of the task of the Russian revolution corresponds with the magnitude-of the upheaval it caused in the life of the entire governmental system, and it could not be effected without serious disorders. Nevertheless.Russia was convinced that th'ere were no other means of safety. She continued common action at the froiit with her Allies, but her offensive encountered insurmountable obstacles, both at the front and in the interior. Enemy agents made use of criminal propaganda, irresponsible elements provoked a revolt in Petrograd, part, of the troops at the front, seduced by the same propaganda, fo'rgot their duty to their .country and facilitated the enemy in piercing our front. The Russian people showed an un.shakeable will, the revolt was icrushed, and the originators were .brought to'justice. jM i; '•"" v ' '■'■'■■ '" ■ The Government intends to bring to a successful end the' task of establishing an administration capable of meeting all the dangers and.guiding the country along;the path of regeneration. ■ The country will .continuerestoration and preparation for the coming campaign. On the threshold of the fourth year of the war we firmly believe that Russian citizens will combine all their efforts in defending their beloved country against the enemy. We are convinced that the retreat of our armies is only temporary, arid that they victoriously will finish the great work for which they were compelled to take ,up arms. • . The. necessary steps have been taken to restore the combative strength of the armies, and the Government will not be deterred by any difficulties in prosecuting the war to the final .-triumph of the'principles' of the Russian revolution, knowing that our liberty and that of all mankind depends on them. The reorganised and regenerated armies will, at the appointed hour, resume the onward march to victory. , General Maurice, in his official summing up of the war situation interred to Russia as follows: The situation in Galicia has placed greater burdens on the rest of the Allies, and the war must be lengthened. In the broadest strategic aspect the Russian front is so wide that it would take a very wide break to affect materially the situation on the whole front, a disaster which there is no reason to anticipate, provided that the Russians hold on now, but further i retreats may affect the rest of'the front. The most we can hope ■ now is that the Russians will get together and reorganise. I do not expect an effective offensive for some time. The Rumanian movement was part of'the Russian offensive the army has definitely veeoveftd, and has shown that it can net i- effectively, but it would not he prudent to anticipate big efforts trom Rumania while Russia is unable to co-operate