THE IRON HAND IN RUSSIA

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3115, 20 June 1917, Page 5

THE IRON HAND IN RUSSIA

WAR MINISTER RESOLVED TO DISCIPLINE THE ARMY WOMEN DRILLING TO SHAME THE MEN (By Telegraph—Presß Association—Copyright). New York, June IS, The United Press correspondent at Petrograd states that M. Kerenski has discarded persuasion for iron-handed discipline to force the armies to fight. Ha has ordered deserters to bo deprived of the franchise ~and of participation in the distribution of land, and has refused furlough to several divisions which wished to attend political conferences at Moscow— Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. Petrograd, June IS. Sailors from Kronstadt incitod tho peasants in the Mogiloff district to seize and divide the land.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn, BATTALIONS OF WOMEN IN TRAINING. . New York, June IS. The United Press correspondent at Petrograd 6tates that tho women in Odessa have formed a "Death Legion," and will formally ask leavo. to fight,<—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. „ ' Petrograd, June 18. - Battalions of women have been formed in Petrograd, Moscow, and elsewhere, and are drilling hard, intending to fight at tho front and shame the men. —Aus!-N.Z. Cable Assn. A REVIEW OP THE SITUATION (Rcc. June 11), 9.20 p.m.) London, June l!l. The "Daily Telegraph's" correspondent at Potrograd states that tho Leninites are lavishly supplied with funds with which to control an army of agitators, who have been taught to repeat a parrot-tike formula of poisoned words which are calculated to piay upon the ighoranco of tho Russian populace, but a violent reaction is growing. The Government's firm action with M. Grimm indicates that tho struggle against'tho German propagandists is approaching a crisis. Mr. Arthur Henderson (tho British Minister and Labour member) is active, and is successfully addressing immense meetings of soldiers, interviewing the Workers' Delegates, and consulting tho Government upon all important labour organisation. 0 Mr. Henderson sent to the Workers'' Council his views on the International Socialist Conference. There are indications of a general abandonment of efforts for a separate peace. M.' Kerenski and M. Terestchenko, delivered inspiring addresses to tho Congress of Workmen and Soldiers' Delegates denouncing the treason of the extremists. At Petrograd a secret ballot of the Workers' Committee and Social Democrats favoured an advanoe by tho armies, and tho Socialist revolutionists voted in favour of a pro-war policy. Tho situation, however, remains complicated. The National Convention of Workmen and Soldiers represents fifty thousand workers and soldiers throughout Russia, and probably voices twenty-five million citizens. Tho Petrograd Council, possessing 8 cut of 1900 votes, is likely to loso its influence to the new body, which is expected to appoint a board to assist the Government. There is lively recruiting for tho so-called "Death Battalions," men and women volunteering to attack the enomy regardless of their lives—Aus.-N./,. Cable Assn. " The "Times" correspondent at Petrograd states that it is the general opinion that tho internal crisis will shortly bring about an event which will require the union of all tho forces of law and order. The revenue receipts have'reached the vanishing point, because the taxpayers havo lost confidence, whilst innumerable republics throughout the provinces are diverting tho local revenue (o their own purposes. Commerce and industry have been reduced to desperate straits, and the expropriation of land and factories has disastrously affected the pensants, workers, and capitalists.—The "Times."