RUSSIAN REFORM

New Zealand Times, Volume XLII, Issue 9622, 30 March 1917, Page 5

RUSSIAN REFORM

FIRST, DANGER PASTTROOPS ENTER INTO SPIRIT OF NEW REGIME. By Telccraph—Press Association—Copyrlchs Australian and X.Z. Cable Association. LONDON, March 28. The “Daily Chronicle's” correspondent at Potrograd states that reports from the front indicate that the first danger of disorders is past. The troops are entering into the spirit of the now regime. The War Office is pushing forward important reforms at great, speed, to which the old regime had offered almost insuperable obstacles, even as to Obvious necessities. , ideas arc never lacking now in finding scope for reforms, and carrying them out immediately, so as to bring the army organisation into line with that of the Allies. The transformation is already startling In its results. The work of combating German espionage has been greatly simplified, and is being pursued with the greatest activity for political as well as mill*tary reasons. There is every prospect of an early solution of th© food problem, and the peasants aro .co-operating. Reports from many centres announce that hoarded corn is being hastened to the stations. Meanwhile, many largo towns are introducing a scheme of rations.

AUTONOMY FOR FINLAND SWEDEN HAS NOTHING TO FEAR • PROM RUSSIA. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association STOCKHOLM, March 28. The Russian Minister for Foreign Affairs (M. ,'Miliukoff) announces that the new regime gives Finland complete autonomy and a legal Constitution. M. Miliukoff adds; “Sweden, therefore, lias nothing to fear from Russia. There is nothing to prevent cordial relations being .established.” The Russian Government announces that an amnesty has been granted to three thousand _young _ Finns, who, uesperate at seeing their country, oppressed by Czarism, had entered the German army, FORM OF GOVERNMENT REPUBLIC FAVOURED BY THE MASS OP RUSSIANS. By Telegraph—Pres* Association— Copyright Australian and N.Z. 'Cable Association (Received March 29, 10.40 p.m.) PETROL-RAD, March 28. M. Kerenski, • interviewed, stated that he believes the mass, of the Russians will declare for a Republican form of Government. He expects the Finland Government will resemble that of the British colonies. Ho is of opinion that votes for women will bo agreed to with little difficulty. REPORTED ESCAPE OF CZAR BELIEVED TO HAVE REACHED SWEDEN. By Telegraph—Pres* Association—Copyrlghi Beater’* Telegram*. (Received March 29, 5.5 p.m.) NEW YORK, March 28. A message from Berlin states that the Czar is reported to have escaped to Sweden. A GENERAL RUSSIAN REPORT VARYING FORTUNES AT VARIOUS ' POINTS. By Telegraph—PreM Asjociatlon—Copyright An*, and N.Z. Cable A*sn. and Heater. (Received March 29, 8.5 p.m.) LONDON. March 29. A Russian official message states; On the Russian western front German attacks past Illux, north-west of Postavy (in Vofiiynia), were repulsed. Tlie enemy during a night attack on Bogucbi, nortn-west of Krevo, occupied part of our trenches, but an immediate counter-attack restored the situation. - We attacked with gas in the Stokhod river region the Bbarovno and Riopian front. South' of the river Tchabanocha wo are fighting for positions lost on the 23rd March. Enemy attacks south of the river Ussa and south-west of Moinesti occupied part of our positions after a- desperate fight. Russian seaplane squadrons raided Verkos, twenty-five miles north-west of Constantinople, and dropped fifty bombs on the aqueduct supplying Constantinople with water. Another squadron bombed Tultcha. FOOD IN GERMANY SUPPLIES OVER-ESTIMATED. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright Australian and N.Z. Cable Association AMSTERDAM, March 28. Dr Batocki (Food Dictator), at the Reichstag Committee, said that the food supplies had been over-estimated. The increases in other rations had not 'compensated for the reduction in bread, hut no other solution was possible. The shortage of pigs compels encroaching on the reserves of cattle. It was impossible to increase the production of food owing to shortage of labour and transport, A FURTHER HUN ATROCITY By Telegraph—Press Association— Copyright Published in ‘‘The Times.” (Received March 20. 10.40 p.m.) LONDON, March 28. Mr Whitaker states that the Germans are hampered for lack of food. Supplies from the American ReluTf Commission sent to Eoubaix were intercepted, and several train-loads of American flour were substituted by German rye flour containing 30 per cent, of ’ sawdust, producing an indigestible putty-like substance causing such illness and death that the gravediggers are unable to dig sufficient graves.