RUSSIAN REVOLUTION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 16963, 27 March 1917, Page 5

RUSSIAN REVOLUTION

COMMAIIDER-IN-CHHEF. GENERAL ALEXIEFF HOLDS posmoN. t Router's Telegrams. PETROGRAD, March 25. It is officially confirmed that the Grand Duke Nicholas has retired from the position of Commander-in-Chief, and General Alexieff, Chief of the General Stalf, officiates temporarily.

RED FLAG ADOPTED. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. ROME, March 25. The Giomale d'~talia's i'etrograd correspondent states that tho old Russian ting has been abolished, and all the regiments have adopted the red flag.

EXCUSES ADVANCED.

THE PUBLIC " NERVY." The Times.' PETROGRAD, March 25. One or two newspapers are stirring up wholesale resentment against the Roruanoli's, pandering to the morbid, gruesome instincts of the masses. Counsels of moderation are falling on deaf ears, and the nerves of the public have been shaken by recent events, resulting in loss of tone and balance.

RUSSIAN SOCIALISTS.

PACIFIST BRIBES REJECTED

Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. LONDON, March 25. Tne Observer's Berne correspondent stales that several Germans, inciuuing two prominent Socialists, during the past week upproacned Russian Socialists and political reiugees in Switzerland, urging tUeni to return 10 Russia and usethoir influence for peace. Large sums were ottered them, with, a safe conduct through uermany. The offer was contemptuously rejected, leading Russian Socialists and reiugees bidding them to return to Germany lirst and tree the Germans from Prussian despotism.

GERMAN REACTIONARY AGITATION POPULAR SOCIALIST PARTY FIRM. PETROGRAD, March 25. The authorities have seized innumerable manifestos and placards printed in Germany urging the re-establishment of the old regime. The Atayor of Moscow, on behalf of the municipality, sent a message to Prince Lvoii, claiming that that city be the seat oi the Lonstuuent Assembly. The Holy Synod exhorts the faithful to unite in brotherly love, to abandon discord, and grant full confidence in the Provisional Government, who will devote all its efforts to lead eternal Russia in the paths of liberty, happiness, and glory. The popular Socialist party, in a proclamation, .says: "Since our formation in 1915 we urged the convocation of a' constitutional Assembly as the only means to establish order in conformity with the will of the people." It invites all to support the Government.

ASSISTING POLITICAL REFUGEES. _ MELBOURNE, March 26. The Russian Consul-general has received instructions to render the fullest assistance to Russian political exiles desirous of returning to Russia) to the extent of raising a loan to pay their passages.

COUNCIL OF WAR.

A SMALLER COSVSW3ITTEE.

ARMY'S OATH OF LOYALTY.

PETROGRAD, March 25. M. Gutchkoff is preparing a scheme whereby a committee consisting of "the Ministers of War, Navy, Finance, and Foreign Affairs will become responsible for the main direction of the war, the Com-mander-in-Chief to retain a free hand in matters of strategy. The Ministers of Communication and Agriculture may possibly join the committee.

General Alexieff has notified the President of the Council that the army has taken the oath of. loyalty to the Fatherland and the Provisional Government.

TREASONABLE SOCIALISTS. EVBL BNFLUENCE OF EXTREMISTS. NOTED TREASON CASE. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association PETROGRAD, March 26 (Received March 27, at 1.35 a.m.) The Social Democratic party through the newspaper Pravda, has published the Central Committee's resolution inciting soldiers to leave the trenches and go over to the enemy, asserting that this will immediately evoke a fraternal response on the part of the Germans/ and the war among the nations will promptly collapse, enabling the army and' the'people to devoto themselves to the final overthrow of the ruling classes. Only tfie presence of M. Kerinsky in the Provisional Government has thus far prevented open rupture, but t3ie moderate party is obliged to make endless concessions to unreasonable demands. The theorist mania for forming committees, which was one of the worst features of the bureaucratic regime is terribly hampering the reform party. ' ihe press devotes much space to the details of the Miasoedoff treason case It alleges that Sukhomlinoff was connected therewith. Though Miasoedoff-organised the whole traitorous spying system, he was on intimate terms with Sukhomlinoff and was' mixed up with .the latter's divorce and second marriage. Sukhomlinoff would 'have been brought to trial lon ? ago, but the ex-Empress intervened owing to the tearful protestations of SukhomlinoTf's wife. CONGRATULATIONS OF ALLIES. M. MILrrJKOFF'S CONFIDENCE RpiiicVs Toleerama. ■■ PETROGRAD, March 25. (Received March-26, at 9.55 p.m.) The British, French, and Italian Ambassadors have presented their respects to the Provisional Government. M. Miliukoff, replying on behalf of the Government, said he was full of confidence, that Russia would justify the hopes and expectations of all her well-wishers.