THE RUSSIAN PROBLEM.

Otago Witness, Issue 3315, 26 September 1917, Page 17

THE RUSSIAN PROBLEM.

REORGANISING THE ARMY. The news regarding the situation in Russia is somewhat contradictory. On the one hand it is alleged that it is not unlikely Russia may conclude a separate peace with. Germany, quit tho war, and sell to Germany all her military supplies and foodstuffs. The United States officials continue to receive reassuring news, and the Russian Embassy denies that the Maximalists and other Radical parties are in favour of a separate peaco. The Russian Ambassador to the United States formally pledged Russia to continue the war until the Gorman autocracy is crushed. Ho declared that the political and military situation in Russia is rapidly improving. General Alexieff, who is the most authoritative Russian general, has been entrusted with the immediate direction of military operations, and the reorganisation of the army. There is every reason to believe that all minor disorders- will cease. All separate cases of insubordination have been successfully handled. The War Minister (M. Verkhofsky) announces that he is replacing the whole of the supreme command of the army. General Alexieff considers it essential to continue to employ many officers implicated in the Korniloff revolt. General Doukonthino succeeds General Alexieff as Chief of Staff. The Government has appealed to the army to refrain from incivility to officers, the majority of whom are faithful to the republic An epidemic of suicide has. commenced among General Korniloff's associates. First General Kruimoff, the commander of an important eection of General Korniloff's troops, committed suicide after an interview with M. Kerensky; then General Alexajer visited the War Office and saw M. Kerensky, who called him a traitor to his country. Alexajer immediately went into another room and blew out his brains. General Korniloff's troops have been drafted to the front. The arrested generals —Denckin, Erdelli, and Markoff—rave been brought to Petrograd. _ I The Governir out has disbanded the women's battalions on the ground that they are embarrassing •to the military organisation.

The arrest of the generals and others of Korniloff's supporters continues everywhere. The Government has rescinded the order for the arrest of General Kaledin, the leader of the Cossacks in Moscow, who threatened to March on Pctrograd who is coming to Headquarters to explain his action to the Committee of Inquiry. Kaledin states that ho does not desire to create difficulties for the Government. After the fall of Riga M. Kerensky found time to marry Mmo. Timmet, an attractive young actress. The ceremony was performed at the Winter Palace. The' incident has created an unfavourable impression. M. Kerensky is the only Socialist included in the Directory. The five others include two members of the Cadet party— M. Torestehenko (the son of a sugar king) and M. Kitchin (a Moscow lawyer), who have been appointed Foreign Minister and Minister of Posts and Telegraphs respectively. M. Verkhovsky (recently Military Governor of Moscow) has been appointed War Minister, and Admiral Verdeaevsky Naval Minister.

M. Kerensky remains at Headquarters, while ho is Commander-in-chief, and all Cabinet Councils are held at Headquarters. The Government considers the Proclamation of the Republic as formal, and does not intend a Republican Administration before the constituent Assembly is established.

The Government has ordered the prose-~ cution of the Socialist soldiers who have boon fraternising with the enemy and refusing to obey their officers' orders. Some soldiers have boon sentenced to 10 years' hard labour.

The troops are dissatisfied with the slow progress or the trial of General Sukhomlinoff and his wife, who are charged with malpractices regarding the Wui Office supply for the troops early in the war. At the trial the Public Prosecutor urged that treason had boon proved. lie stated that tho shady characters who surrounded the accused would be charged with espionage. A groat fire in the military factories at Putilovo has caused immense damage. M Kerensky, who is at Headquarters, has instructed M. Terestchenko to undertake the reconstruction of the Cabinet, which will probably bo completed before the meeting of the Democratic Conference. An influential member of tho Moderate party informed the representative of the Paris paper Matin that M. Kerensky was aiming at complete civil and military control. There is the possibility of his "attaining this aim, and to-morrow M. Kerensky may be proclaimed President of tho Russian ."Republic and supremo head of the State. Such a development would end the period of disorganisation. ANOTHER PLOT. ' A big counter-revolutionary movement hag been discovered at Tobolsk, where the ox-Czar is interned. Tho officers of the whole of the Tobolsk garrison were in the confidence of the revolutionary leaders, who planned first for the release of the ex-Czar.

Already 100 arrests have been made, including officers of high rank. It is alleged that General Korniloff was co-operating with tho plotters. TROUBLE AT VIBORG. During the disturbances at Viborg 22 Russian officers wore killed and 60 are missing. Gorman agents had spread false reports that Vassiluf, Commander-in-Chief in Finland, refused M. Kerensky's request to send troops to quell the Korniloff rebellion. Infuriated loyal soldiers, hearing this, attacked their officers, and threw 10 of them, including- "Vassiluf, into tho river and shot them dead. They or hanged others. A reign of terror existed until the soldiers realisod that M. Kerensky's request had been honoured. POLAND'S FUTURE. Austria and Germany have decreed the creation of a Regency Council in Poland. Threo members will be appointed by the two Governments to exercise supreme power until it is taken over _ by a king or regent and to carry on with the permission of the two Powers legislation in co-operation with the State Council of the kingdom. Its decisions must be countersigned by tho Premier. The Governorgeneral may issue binding orders _ for the maintenance of important war interests. Tho international representation of Poland and tho right to enter into international agreements aro reserved to the occupying Powers. The Kaiser in a Messago says the two occupying Powers will only reserve approval to such stipulations in the proposals of the country's representatives as are required by war conditions. The recent trouble in Poland arose through the transfer of the Polish Legion to tho Austrian front.

Revolts broke out at Przemysl. Two regiments were disbanded, and the officers and men were transferred to the Austrian army. The legion is now commanded by an Austrian.