RUSSIA'S PROBLEMS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17065, 25 July 1917, Page 5

RUSSIA'S PROBLEMS

TARN OP OL FALLS. DISORGANISATION ON SOUTH-WEST FRONT. Australian and N.Z. Cablo Association. LONDON, July 23. It is reported that tJhp Germans have captured Tarnopol. PETROGRAD, July 23. The Workmen and Soldiers' Congress passed a resolution granting the Provisional Government unlimited powers to establish discipline in the army. A correspondent adds : The Government Executive Committee -in the south-west reports that most of the units in the Russian army there are completely disorganised. The mutinous soldiers threaten to Shoot those opposing them. There are long lines of deserters. A fatal crisis has occurred m the morale of the troops, and the offensive spirit has utterly disappeared, r SELLING THE REVOLUTION. APPALLING LACK OF MORALE. SHAMELESS DESERTIONS FREQUENT. MERCILESS ACTION NECESSARY. Reuters Telegrams. PETROGRAD, July 23. (Received July 24, at 5.5 p.m.) The Germans have occupied larnopol. An appalling official account of the situation on the south-western front received by the Russian Government says that a fatal crisis has occurred in the morale of the troops. Most of the units. a lc completely disorganised, and the " offensive " spirit has utterly . disappeared. Orders are unheeded, and exhortations of comrades are replied to by threats and shots. Some elements voluntarily evacuate positions, not waiting for the approach of the enemy, and sometimes urgent orders for reinforcements are discussed for hours. For a distance of a hundred versts long files of robust shameless deserters are proceeding to the rear, and frequently entire units desert. Extreme measures are necessary to avert a catastrophe. The commander-in-chief on the western front has ordered deserters to be fired on, as they must take merciless action against the cowards who are selling the Russian revolution. A HOPEFUL NOTE. UNLIMITED POWER FOR GOVERNMENT. Router's Telegrams. PETROGRAD, July 23. (Received July 24, at 5.5 p.m.) The Soldiers', Workmen, and Peasants' Council at an all night sitting resolved that the country is threatened with a military debacle and internal anarchy, declaring that the State and the revolution arc endangered, proclaiming the Government to be a Government for the safety the revolution and according it an unlimited power to reestablish the organisation of the army and public order. THE UKRAINE WEAKNESS. RUSBO-RUMANIAN FORGES ENDANGERED. Australian and fnfoln Association. LONDON, July 23. (Received July 24, at 7.1C p.m.) The Dail • Chronicle comments that tho Germans have taken Tarnopol, which is the pathway to Ivieff, the Ukrainian capital, tho occupation of which would cut off tho Rumanian aid Russian armies south of tli- Dniester. FLI-KEELO kills flies. Your bo" in the trenches wants a tin. Means death to all vermin. Absolutely harmless to human beings. Miiiuiacturod and packcd by British >rs. On aolo at chemists and stores r-Advt.