RUSSIA.

Colonist, Volume LVIII, Issue 14408, 19 May 1917, Page 5

RUSSIA.

GLOOMY VIEW OF THE SITUATION

COUNTRY GIVEN OVER TO

CHAOS

THE WAR FORGOTTEN,

INCREDIBLE DISORGANISATION,

RUSSIA ALMOST OUT OP THE

WAR.

(Australian and N.Z. Cable Association)

London, May 17. The "Morning Post's" Petrograd correspondent sends two gloomy messages.

The first, dated May 14th, says:— ''What was foreseen two months ago is now materialising with appalling rapidity. The men who spent nearly the whole of their lives in political agitation against any existing" form of government are proving themselves incapable of governing and are quite unequal to the double demands of a foreign war and1 internal anarchy-. t "After two months of cheap jubilation all European Russia has become like a jellyfish, at the mercy of the winds and waves. Even the breadproblem is not solved, and has actualy gone from bad to worse. With the disorganisation of food and other supplies, there is a steady exodus of inhabitants from Petrograd. "Russia seems to be rolling in money. Some of tre commonest forms of labour are paid astounding rates. Municipal street-sweepers are naid at the rate of £300 per anmi.m, and the streets are worse than ever.

"The peasants in the country halve seized all the land they want. "The army is ruled by company, regimental and divisional committees, which freely discuss orders with t£eir superiors."

The correspondent adds: "Amidst this pandemonium of freedom in all things Russia seems likely to go under. The war appears to be forgotten, and a miracle must come soon to be in time."

The second message is dated May 15th. It says: "The Workmen's and Soldiers' full Council has been summoned to consider the coalition ques-' tion. ' Whatever happens, matters can hardly be worse, because the late Ministers' orders were altered and cancelled and the resulting delay must bb militarily fatal.

"Though Generals Brussiloff's and Gourko's resignations have not been accepted, their retirement is only a matter of time. General Alexieff'fi position is unstable. "It is possible to hold two opinions regarding Russia's home interests and the revolution, but regarding Russia's share in the war no two opinions are held anywhere.

"Unless a miracle, .happens, Russia is out of the war, and Germany will havo a free hand in France, leaving Russia to be dealt with at her leisure."