THE MOSCOW CONFERENCE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LX, Issue 17074, 30 August 1917, Page 2

THE MOSCOW CONFERENCE

REMARKABLE SPEECH BY

KOR'.ULOFF

PETROGRAD, August^ 29

A feature of the conference at Moscow^was a remarkable speech by General Korniloff, emphasising the disorganisation of the Russian army and outlining remedial measures. He declared that the death penalty was only a small part of what was necessary. He mentioned that in August some soldiers who had killed their officers ceased the outrages only when threatened with shooting, also that a regiment ot.Siberian Rifles which abandoned the Riga front only returned to duty when when its extermination was ordered. He added, "We are implicitly fighting anarchy in the army. The situation on the front is so bad that we have lost the whole of Galicia, the whole of Bukoviria, and all the fruits of our recent victories. The enemy has crossed our frontier at several points, and is threatening our fertile southern provinces. He is endeavouring to destroy the Rou-rr-nian army, and is knocking at the gates of Riga. If the army does not help ns to hold the shore of the Gulf of Riga the road to Petrograd will be opened wide. He emphasised that the disorganisation of the army was due to the acts of people completely ignorant of military affairs. He urged the immediate adoption of remedial measures, including the strengthening of the authority of officers and non-coms, improving officers' pay, forbidding regimental committees to participate in the decision of military operations or the appointment of leaders. Similar measures must be applied to the rear. The condition of the railways was such that by November the army could not receive any supplies. The south-west front at present was almost famished. The output of guns and shells had fallen by 60 per cent, and aeroplanes by 80 per cent, compared with the period between October, ICHS and January, 1917. He concluded by stating that he believed the genius and ancient glory of the army would be restored.

AMSTBRDA"

, August 28

A Berlin telegram states that M. Kerensky on Sunday telephoned to General Korniloff thai the Government did not desire him to address the conference. Korniloff felt bound to tell the country the truth about the army, which the Prsmier and his colleagues had not disclosed. Th>. feeling is distinctly unfavourable -to M. Kerensky, who lost his charm when he failed to speak the whole truth. The message adds that Korniloff had a great ovation from the street crowds, and declares: "Our hope for the future lies in Korniloff and his friends."

PETROGRAD,

August 28

At the Moscow Conference M. Ischeidge, president, said that all Russian Soldiers 1 and Workmen's Councils followed General Korniloff and chiefly demanded internal reforms. / The reference to arm}' reforms was vague, and merely asked that the powers of commanders and committees be limited. He urged that all nationalities in Russia should lead their own destiny, r.fter agreement with the Constituent Assembly.