RUSSIAN LEADERS FACE THE SITUATION

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3085, 16 May 1917, Page 5

RUSSIAN LEADERS FACE THE SITUATION

REMARKABLE WARNING UTTERED

WAR AIMS STATED AND DANGERS

EMPHASISED

(Rcc. May 15, 9.20 p.m.)

London, May 14. ' Tho "Daily Chronicle's" correspondent at Petrograd states that M. Miliukoff (Foreign Minister), M. Skobeleff (lcpresenting the Soldiers' and Workers' Delegates), and M. Kerensky (Minister for Justice) nave had a remarkable conference with delegates from thc\ fighting front. Replying to questions, M. Miliukoff declined to publish tho terms of Russia's treaties with, the Allies. To do so would bo to reveal military secrets. Regarding Russia's renunciation of annexation and indemnities, he said that the question was so bound up with the right of the nation to determine its own fate that* nothing definite could be said. "As regards Russia's contribution to the Allies, I hold," he said, "that the nation which lias suffered must be rehabilitated by the Power which ruined it. The uniting of the three Polands into one and the return' of Alsace-Lorraine to France would not be annexation. Wo have relinquished all claims to the Dardanelles. The" fate of Constantinople will depend upon the views of the Allies. It is not true that Japan is preparing to bring an army into Russia. America has given us a loan at 3 per cent., and has offered_ to put the Siberian -railway in order for supplying vast quantities of ammunition. M. Skobeleff condemned tho fraternising of Russian- soldiers - with the enemy at the front. "The army,", he said, "must be ready to advance." M. Kerensky, in his speech, uttered a grave warning. He emphasised the tremendous danger that menaced Russia. "It may be," he said, "that the, time is near when it will be impossible for us to provide you with the bread and ammunition you need. This won't be the Government's fault. Russia may play'a decisive role in the world's history, but organisation and patience are necessary. Surely Russia is not a nation of rebellious slaves! My strength is failing. Ino longer feel my former courage. 'It is said that Russia lie longer needs her army, because her soldiers are fraternising with the Germans. If our soldiers are fraternising in Russia, the Allied soldiers are not fraternising on the French front. The. enemy's forces are being thrown upon the Anglo-French front, where the Anglo-French advance has already stopped. There is no such thing as a Russian front. There is only a general Allied front. If tho desporateness of our situation is not realised our dream of liberty will be thrown back for decades, and may he drowned in blood. We have tasted freedom, and are becoming intoxicated. There is now need for the greatest possible sobriety and discipline."—Aiis.-N.Z. Cable Assn. I