EASTERN THEATRE

Southland Times, Issue 17732, 9 August 1917, Page 5

EASTERN THEATRE

THE ARMY COMMITTEE SYSTEM. MAIN CAUSE OF THE DISASTER. DISCIPLINE ENTIRELY DESTROYED. NON-COMBATANTS SUPERIOR TO HEADQUARTERS. (By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright.) (The Times.) LONDON, August 7. Received August 8, 5.15 p.m. Mr Wilton, the Times correspondent, cables extraordinary details of the committee system, which was the main cause of the disaster to the Russian armies. Ostensibly devised for the maintenance of discipline, these military duplicates of the Soldiers and Workmen’s Committee, succeeded in destroying every vestige of discipline, and usurped the junctions of Commanders. Non-combatants, especially Jews, clerks and ambulance men, comprise the majorities of the committees. All were initiated into the innermost secrets of strategy. So long as speechifying v/as the main occupation they made a brave show. A word from them to Petrograd led to the dismissal of commanders who were not attentive to them, however highly placed. They outrivalled Headquarters, inspired the press, commandeered innumerable motors, and kept all staffs busy attending to them. Despite General Korniloff’s requests they remain, issuing bulletins claiming the credit for everything favourable, and enjoying handsome emoluments. ACTIVITY OF BRITISH CARS. RESISTANCE ANNOYS THE ENEMY. LONDON, August 8. Received August 8, 9.40 p.m. The Morning Post's Petrograd correspondent says that the British naval armoured cars are still actively aiding the Russians in the retreat on the south-western front. During the whole week they have punished the enemy’s infantry, who followed the Russians with their rifles slung on their backs. 'The Germans were enraged, and threatened to shoot every Englishman caught. They offered rewards for prisoners, but the British, though they have lost a dozen cars, have not lost a single prisoner. The Germans then -sent a few cavalry, screening light guns, in an effort to knock out the cars, but they did not succeed. The cars were the last wheeled vehicles to leave enemy territory, crossing the Husiatyn bridge five minutes before it was blown up. THE ROUMANIAN OFFENSIVE. WHY IT HAS STOPPED. (The Times.) LONDON, August 8. Received August 8, 10.40 p.m. The King of Roumania, replying to M. Poincaire’s congratulations on the recent offensive on the Roumanian front, states that the offensive was stopped for reasons independent of his will. The troops are burning with impatience to resume. The cable news in this issue accredited to The Times has appeared in that journal, but only where expressly stated is such the editorial onininn of The Time*