RUSSIAN REVOLUTIONS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3314, 19 September 1917, Page 21

RUSSIAN REVOLUTIONS.

A COUP THAT FAILED. GENERAL, KORNILOFF ARRESTED. KERENSKY HEADS A REORGANISED GOVERNMENT. (By Cable.) General Korniloff, the Commander-in-chief of the army, on the Bth sent to _ M. Kerensky a demand that the Provisional Government hand over to him (General Korniloff) all civil and military powers in order that he might form a new Government. General Korniloff telephoned later confirming the demand. The Provisional! Government considered that Korniloff's demand indicated that certain circles of Russian society desired to profit by the country's grave condition and to establish an order contrary to the revolution. M. Kerensky issued a proclamation stating: "The Provisional Government empowered me to take immediate decisive measures- and cut short at the root all attempts to encroach upon the citizens' rights which were won by the revolution. All necessary measures to safeguard freedom and order are being taken. I order General Korniloff to surrender the functions of commander-in-chief to General Klembovsky, who is commanding on the northern front and barring the way to Petrograd. General Klcmbovsky will remain at Pskov. I declare the city and district of Petrograd in a state of war, and call upon citizens to bo absolutely calm and maintain that order which is necessary to the preservation of the .Fatherland, and upon all members of the .army and fleet to rigorously and calmly fulfil their duties of defending the Fatherland from the external foe."

M. Kerensky also despatched a message to the military and civil authorities throughout Russia, declaring that General Korniloff betrayed the Fatherland and the revolution. General Lukomsky was also a traitor, and refused the Provisional Government's order to take over General Korniloff's command, indicating the possibility of civil war at the front. General Korniloff will be punished for hia treachery, and the Government is taking measures to prevent him from directing detachments. When it became evident Korniloff was bent on mischief M. Kerensky issued the following statement: —"Superior officers everywhere are acting in agreement with tho Government and committees at the front. General Denskin, together with the headquarters staff, has been arrested; also General Erdelli, who had broken the army's obedience. Several of General Erdelli's staff were arrested. Only small detachments, which General Korniloff, through deception, is leading to Pctrosrad, remain deluded regarding the position. Their advance has been arrested. Individual units sent delegations to Petrograd requesting the arrest of commanders who had betrayed the Government. I have taken energetic measures to defend Petrograd, and hope bloodshed in civil war will be avoided. 1 am receiving evidence of tho loyalty of the troops and people from all the provinces, and public organisations have announced that they are determined to support the Government. It is essential to the safety of the Fatherland that complete unity of action be preserved." General Korniloff in return arrested General Verkhovsky, commander at Moscow, and several commissaries who were at Headquarters. M. Kerensky published the following message to Russia's armed forces:—"ln accordance with the Provisional Government's decision, I have been charged with the office of chief command of the army. The senseless attempt at mutiny by a late com-mander-in-chief and a small group of generals ended in complete failure, and the mutineers will be delivered to the military revolutionary tribunal. This bloodless liquidation of the mutiny shows the wisdom of the people and the army and fleet, who are loyal to the Fatherland and the legal Government. I declare my complete faith in all ranks of the army and fleet. ' Everyone, whether general or* soldier, will be punished for the slightest disobedience. It is time to cease playing with the country's fate." The Provisional Government decried as rebels Generals Korniloff, Denskine, Lukhomsky, Markoff, and Kisliakoff. General Korniloff issued a proclamation stating that his one desire is to bring the country out of an # impasse and lead it along the road to fortune. He swears that he will hold power only till a constituent Assembly has been elected. General Klembovsky was recently appointed to the chief command, was dismissed, and was succeeded by General Boutch Bouyeevitch, ex-Chief of Staff to M. Kerensky. THE REAL PLOTTERS. It is generally believed that Korniloff was not the real head of the .rebellion, but that General Lukhomsky was the real instigator. Lukhomsky is a reactionary, and a partisan of the ola Court clique. It is difficult to say how Korniloff's attempt has affected the army's morale. Prince Lvoff's position during tho crisis war, mysterious. After an interview, which ended in M. Kerensky dismissing Korniloff, the latter issued a proclamation denying M. Kerensky's version of the interview, and declaring that he never sent Prince Lvoff to the Premier, but that M. Kerensky sent Prince Lvoff to him. This led to a final rupture, and Korniloff moved his troops towards Petrograd, urged to the enterprise by General Lukhomsky, his Chief of Staff. "The Daily Telegrapli states that General Korniloff had a clearly-defined policy, including the elevation to the throne of the head of the Dolgorouki family, which is more ancient than the House of Romanoff. The Romanoffs still residing in Petrograd have been arrested. There wore persistent rumours that the Grand Duke Nicholas Gevitch' has disappeared from his Caucasus estate. M. Badmajeff, the ex-Czar's General Gourko, Mademoiselle Vuirubova, ex-Ladv-in-Waiting, and several others implicated in tho plot in favour of the restoration of the Czar, are now in Finland, going to Sweden. While Korniloff's known as "th.e-

Savage Division," as it is composed of Circassians, Georgians, and other non-Euro-peans, was advancing on Petrograd, the Baltic fleet decided to side with the Provisional Government. The Military Governor of Petrograd and the Cabinet resigned in order to givo M. Kerensky a free hand. A thousand loyal sharpshooters were sent out to block Korniloff's advance. Meantime some consternation was caused by a report which gained currency that M. Kerensky had been murdered, and that the news wWa being suppressed. A correspondent states that, in attempting his coup d'etat, Korniloff offered M. Kerensky the post of Minister of Justice, an offer which was indignantly declined. Korniloff's army, whioh was said to consist pi two cavalry divisions, an infantry division, six Cossack regiments, and many oddments, were converging from Narva, Pskov, and Moscow when M. Kerensky, at the head of a force, left Petrograd to meet them, and a battle seemed Inevitable. ALEXIEFF SAVES THE (SITUATION. General Alexieff, after at -first declining the chief command, agreed to become Chief of Staff, with M. Kerensky as Commander-in-chief. This was followed by the surrender of General Korniloff's Staff, and then General Korniloff offered to surrender conditionally. M. Kerensky replied demanding his unconditional surrender. General Korniloff's terms proposed the appointment of three dictators, of whom he was to be one. Ho demanded the suppression of all democratic councils, committees, and similar organisations. Korniloff's readiness to surrender has been anticipated since Wednesday, as he led only a small number of troops, and failed to rally others to his standard. General Alexieff, as Chief of Staff, telegraphed to Korniloff, hoping to convince him that his attempt was doomed to failure, and induce him to lay down his arms. General Alexieff's action in joining M, Kerensky saved Russia from the horrors of civil war. M. Terestchenko, Foreign Minister, had a long and difficult interview, and finally persuaded General Alexieff to accept the position of Chief of Staff, M. Kerensky promising that the Soldiers' Committee should not interfere with strategy. The crisis has left M. Kerensky stronger than ever. As ho left the Cabinet on Monday M. Kerensky said that any thought of peace was impossible. The question of power must be decided by arms, and events had justified his boldness. The Government announced that Korniloff's troops were surrounded, with the stations of Pskoff and Duno in their rear. Directly Korniloff's advance was known the troops faithful to Kerensky collected outside Petrograd, digging fortifications and trenches with all speed, and tearing up the railway lines, and a large number of Kronstadt sailors came to Petrograd. The Government buildings and telegraph and telephone lines wero strongly guarded. Petrograd was excited. KORNILOFF ARRESTED. SEVEN OFFICERS LYNCHED. Korniloff and his principal lieutenants have been arrested. Ministers and generals are rising and falling with kaleidoscopic effect. The latest appointments are General Teplovcht, to be commandant at Petrograd, and General Poltchinsky, to be Governorgeneral of Petrograd, superseding General (Savinkoff. Generals Crawovski and- Stevanov and five high officers were arrested at Viborg for joining Korniloff's movement and taken to the Town Hall to receive sentence from the Workmen and Soldiers' Council. A mob of thousands of soldiers stormed the Town Hall and lynched of the accused. General Kruimoff, commander of Korniloff's rebellious troops, committed suicide after holding a conference with Kerensky. Another message states that the shot he fired at himself did not prove fatal. Korniloff's proclamation to the Russian people after the Provisional Government had demanded his. resignation says:

" A soldier's duty to the citizens is to sacrifice his liberty, and devoted lore for my country at this menacing moment of national existence led me to disobey the Provisional Government's order to resign my command. I was supported in this decision by the commanders at all fronts. I would rather- die than be removed from the Commander-in-chiefship when the approaches to both capitals were almost open to the enemy's victorious advance. " The Provisional Government is provoking a counter-revolution by its incapacity to novern, its unreadiness for decisive action, and feebleness in exerting authority. The enemy, by means of bribery and treachery, is acting with our country as though it were at home. Awake, men of Russia, from your folly and infatuation. " In my desire to prevent the shedding of Russian blood in civil warfare, forgetting all hurts and insults, I appeal to the Provisional Government to come to my headquarters and draw up with me a Government or national defence which will guarantee victory." REVOLT OVER. The Daily News Petrograd correspondent writes:—" Korniloff's revolt is over. Throughout Wednesday ' brothering ' went on between the troops sent against Petrograd and those sent to meet them. Kaledin, the Cossack general, is the only other recalcitrant, and he has threatened to raise the Don Country and cut the MoscowPetrograd railway. An important factor during the revolt was the attitude of the Cadets, who, as constitutional democrats, are opposed to M. Kerenskv and democratic organisations. They offered to mediate between Kerensky and Korniloff to prevent a bloody struggle both in the army and country, though this would certainly have been to the political advantage of the Cadets. AN IMPROVED SITUATION. As the result of night-long deliberations regarding the formation of the new Cabinet, a favourable solution has been reached. The political situation, which was most critical, has appreciably improved. The Soldiers and Workmcns' Council reEolved upon declaring secret treaties void, and demanding immediate proposals of peace to all belligerents, the cessation of repressive measures, the re-establishment of democracies and military organisations, and the immediate convocation of a constituent assembly.

M. Kerensky, in a manifesto to the army. orders the cessation of political disputes, the resumption of the transport of troops according to prdcr» from the General Staff, and the cessation of arrests and dismissals of commanders by troops. After protracted discussion, a War Cabinet of five- members will probably be formed,

consisting of M.« Kerensky (Premier), General (War), Admiral Yindenevsky (Marine), M. Terestchenko (Foreign Affairs), and M. Yikitini (Post and Telegraphs). A .special commission, under the presidency of M. Schazlovsky, Procurator of the Army and Navy, is inquiring into the Korniloff affair. M. Schazlovsky has gono to Headquarters, where General Alexieff has restored order. The Provisional War Committee has created new departments for the following purposes:—Supplying the needs of the army, creating a bond between regimental district committees and the Defence Department at Petrograd, and also a strategical department. The American United Press correspondent at Petrograd savs the Soldiers' Committees will henceforth have no gay in military affaire; the commanders at the ■ front wifl be supremo. A REPUBLIC PROCLAIMED. The Government has proclaimed Russia a republic The Government, in a strong manifesto announcing -the Republic, says: —"The Korniloff revolt has been suppressed, but tiie State is still threatened with mortal danger. The Government has therefore decided to buttress the shaken fabric of Stats by the foundation of a Republic. The first task of the Government is to reestablish order in the State and regenerate the fighting capacity of the army. With the co-operation of the whole of the living forces in the country, the Government is confident of the speedy accomplishment of the task." M. Kerensky announces his readiness to resign in order to enable the party leaders to compose their differences. The Government has suppressed Maxim Gorky's newspaper and other organs. WARNING TO SOLDIERS. The authorities have organised a militia of 50,000 workmen, who will bo armed and placed at the disposal of the Soviet. General Valomerr, commanding on the western front, ih an army order, warns tho troops that he is reliably informed that tho enemy, intoxicated by their success at Riga, are preparing to break through at Dvinsk and Minsk. It is hoped that tho proclamation of the' republic will clear the air. It is expected that the next step will be the dissolution of the Duma. Preparations are being made at Moscow to accommodate the Government offices in case of necessity. The Council of Don Cossacks has refused, to obey an order of the Government to arrest General Kaledin on the ground that General Kaledin must attend a Cossack conference to furnish explanations. The council also carried a resolution protesting against a charge that the Cossacks' sympathies are against the revolution, and declaring that they have always supported the Government. FEELING THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY. While Korniloff and his force were marching on Petrograd meetings wero held in many factories generally condemning Korniloff. The Secretariat of tho Lvkrainiun Parliament appealed to all military Urkrainians to support the Provisional Government. A meeting of garrison workers, professional classes, and railwaymen at Moscow voted for a local Provisional Government. The municipality, in a proclamation, exhorted the ancient capital to rise as ono man and defend the revolution. It appeals to "all towns in Russia to rally to the Government. Martial law was proclaimed at Moscow. The Soldiers and Workmen's Council liberated the Maximalists who were arrested at tho outbreak on July 16. Tho trial of M. Sukhomlinoff has been postponed until the situation is calmer. Tho crew of the Petropavlovsk shot four officers who refused to sign the pledge of fidelity to the Government wnich tho general assembly of democratic bodies at Kronstadt called upon army and navy officers to sign. Workers are leaving Petrograd and returning to the villages owing to a shortness of food and work. Numerous factories are closed for want of fuel. There is widespread knowledge that there is almost certain to bo a famine next year, paving the way for a dictatorship? Food control is now invested in Provisions Committees, largely composed of ignorant peasantry, who are utterly incapable of judging the needs of the country or of act-, ing energetically and unselfishly. Fixed prices for cereals havo been doubled owing to the increased cost of transport. SYMPATHY OF ENTENTE POWERS. Tho Chancelleries of the Entente Powera, 'J

whilst remaining faithful to the principle of not interfering in the internal affairs of tho allied nations, made friendly overtures to the Provisional Government at Petrograd with a view to putting the revolution on a footing of political stability. Tho Entente Powers are prepared to ma-ko fresh sacrifices on behalf of Russia, and furnish all the arms and ammunition required; but they desire an assuranco that the Russian people are prepared to give active collaboration to ensure the triumph of the common cause by supporting the Government and freeing Russia from the enemy. It is stated that as a result of conferences the Japanese mission has pledged that Japan "will concentrato on tho production of equipment for Russia. Tho United States is raising the embargo on steel for Japanese shipping. Most of tho Japanese ships will bo used to assist Russia. Relations between Japan and America have never been more cordial.^ Japan has handed to Russia a loan of 105,000,000 roubles. The latest crisis has resulted in the heaviest fall of the rouble on the British money market since the war began. It was worth only 8d on the 10th, instead of the usual 25d. Two days later it had declined to 4£d. Despite the law, it is evident that Russians arc transferring capital to London through Sweden. GERMAN PRISONERS AND GERMAN SPIES. Since the beginning of the revolution thousands of German and Austrian prisoners havo escaped from the internment camps. Sometimes as many as 500 escaped together in a body. From 15,000' to 20,000 are now wandering about the country seeking to cross tho frontier . A number Jaave become members of the Councils of Workmen and Soldiers' Delegates, and a few have been even elected to the executives. There have been attempts at sabotage on the Donetz coal" fields, -escaped prisoners setting fire to tho pithead. The Daily Express Geneva correspondent points out that the German newspapers are curiously well informed with regard to 'Russian affairs, being able to prognosticate events before they happen. Korniloff's attempt to oust Kerensky was foretold by them before his ultimatum had been published. The Daily Mail's correspondent says: Food considerations are likely to govern the German war policy in Courland and Lithuania, which aro wheatless. A quarter of tho population of Courland are believed to have died from starvation.