RUSSIA.

Timaru Herald, Volume CVI, Issue 16308, 9 August 1917, Page 7

RUSSIA.

SOLDIERS' COMMITTEES. TO BLAME FOR DISASTERS. BRAINLESS TALKERS RULE. ''The Times." Received 5.15 p.m., August Bth. LONDON, August 7. Mr "Wilton cables extraordinary details showing that the committee system has been the main cause of the disaster to the Russian armies. Ostensibly the system was devised for the maintenance of discipline. These military duplicates of the Soldiers' and "Workmen's Committee succeeded in destroying every vestige of discipline. They usurped the functions of the command. Non-combatants, especially Jews, clerks, and ambulance men, comprise the majorities. All are initiated into the innermost secrets of strategy. So long as speechifying was their 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 atteuding to them. Despite General Kcrniloff's requests they remain, issuing bulletins, claiming credit for

everything favourable, and enjoying handsome emoluments.

BRITISH ARMOURED CARS

BRAVELY CHECK THE ENEMY. AND SCREEN DESERTING SOLDIERS. Australian and N.Z. Cable Assn. Received 0.40 p.m.. August Bth. The •'Morning Post's"' Petrograd correspondent state; that British nnv-il armoured cars are still actively niding the Russians in their retreat on tho soiith-we&tern front. During a whole week they punished the enemy infantry, who followed the Russians marching off with thoir rifles slung on their hacks. The Germans, enraged, threatcued to shoot every Englishman they caught, and offered rewards for prisoners, but the British, though they lost a dozen cars, have- not lost a single prisoner. The Germans then sent a few cavalry, screening guns, in an effort to knock out the cars, but did not succeed. Colonel LockorLampson's cars were tho last wheeled vehicles to loavo the enemy territory, crossing the. Yusiatyn bridge five minutes before it was blown un.