ARMY RECONSTRUCTION.

Pelorus Guardian and Miners' Advocate., Volume 29, Issue 40, 25 May 1917, Page 3

ARMY RECONSTRUCTION.

SITUATION IMPROVING. LONDON, May 20. The "Daily Chronicle’s" Petrograd correspondent says General Alexieff ' interviewed M. Kcrcnski, who has hcen appointed War Minister. This is intensely satisfactory to all ranks. Already there are signs of improvement in the army. If the Government is invested with undisputed authority and is not hindered by irresponsible outsiders, the army will soon be restored to its former strength and organisation. RESTORING BATTERED PRANCE. VALUABLE WORK BY BRITISH AGRICULTURISTS. PARIS, May 19. "Le Temps" correspondent on the British front says each British army has 500 agricultural workers supervised by officers who were agriculturalists before J’<3 ■war. They are cleaning the battered ground with special machines from England, thus helping to increase France’s food production. The people greatly appreciate the British help in restoring agriculture in the liberated territory. Already 100,000 acres in the Somme Department are under cultivation. AMERICA AND THE WAR, THE SENDING OF TROOPS. WASHINGTON, MAY 20. President Wilson, on refusing to sign a Bill giving Mr Roosevelt permission to raise volunteers, said it would seriously interfere with the carrying out of the chief and most immediate and important purposes. The contemplated legislation v.ruld contribute practically nothing to the strength of the Allied armies. Ho would be glad to send the ex-President, who had rendered most conspicuous public service, but this was no time to pay compliments. The business in hand was not dramatic, dut of practical and scientific definiteness. The War Department announced that one division would be sent to Franco as soon as practicable under the leadership of General Pershing. THE CZAR AND KAISER. REPORTED SECRET TREATY. PARIS, MAY 20. The "Matin" quotes from the "Russkoe Slovo" a revelation made by Count Witte to a journalist at the beginning of the war, showing that the Czar made a secret offensive and defensive treaty with the Kaiser when Franco was embroiled in the Moroccan affair. Count Witte declares that he secured the abrogation of the treaty because it was not signed by the Foreign Ministers of the respective ( countries. .