RINGING SPEECH BY GENERAL KORNILOFF

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3177, 30 August 1917, Page 5

RINGING SPEECH BY GENERAL KORNILOFF

OUTSPOKEN ADDRESS AT THE MOSCOW CONFERENCE

THE REORGANISING OF THE BROKEN ARMY

Petrograd, August 2S. A feature of the conference at Moscow was a reniarkablo. epeech by General Korniloff (tho Russian Commander-in-Cliief), in which ho emphasised tiio disorganisation of tho Russian Army, and outlined remedial measures. Ho declared that the death penalty was only aemall part of what was necessary, und mentioned in this connection that in 'August some £oldiers who had killed officers ceased the outrages only when threatened with shooting; also that a regiment of Siberian Eiflee which abandoned the Riga front only returned to duty when its extermination was ordered.

"We are implicitly fighting anarchy in tlio Army," said General Korniloff. "Tlio situation at the Croat is so bad that we have lust the whole of Galicia and the wholoof Bukowina, and all the fruits of our recent victories. The enemy has crossed our frontiers at several points, and is threatening, our fertile southern provinces. He is endeavouring to destroy the Rumanian Army, and is knocking at the gates of Riga. If. the- Army does not help us to hold the shore of the Gulf of Kiga, the road to Petrogfad will lie opened wide." Ho emphasised that the disorganisation of the Army was due to acts by people completely ignorant of military affairs. Uo urged the- immediate adoption of remedial measures, including the strengthening of the authority of officers and noncoms., improving officers' pay, and forbidding regimental committees to participate in the decision of military operations or tlio appointment of leaders. Similar measures must lie applied in the Tear. The condition of the railways was such that by Novembortho Army will not receive any supplies on the south-west front.' At "present the troops were almost famished. The output of guns and shells Tiad fallen by GO per cent., and of aeroplanes by SO per cent., compared with tho period from October, 1916, to January, 1917. General ICorniloff concluded by saying that he believed the genius and reason of the Russians would savo tho country, and that tho ancient glory of the Army would be restored.—Renter. ' DEMAND FOE, INTERNAL REFORM. Moscow, August 28. Tile President of the All "Russian Soldiers' and Workers' Councils spoko after General Korniloff. He chiefly demanded internal reforms. His reference (o Army reforms was vague, and ho merely asked that the powers of the coniniamlers and committees should be limited. ' Ho urged that all nationalities in Russia should lend their own destiny after agreement with tho Constituent As-sembly.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. KdRNILOFF AND KERENSKY RUMOURS OF SERIOUS DIFFERENCES. (Rec. August 29, 7 p.m.) Petrograd, August 28. Mr. Wilton states that M. Kerensky on Sunday telephoned to General Korniloff that the Government did not desire him to address the conference. General KornilofT, however, felt bound to tell the country the truth about the Army, which the Premier and his colleagues had not disclosed. The feeling is distinctly unfavourable to JI. Keronsky, who lost his charm when he failed to speak tlio whole truth. Tho message adds that General Korniloff had a. great ovation in the street, and the crowds declared, "Our hope for the future lies with Korniloff and his friends." Mr. Wilton further states that jr. Keronsky shirked an interview with General Korniloff on Sunday. There is much talk about a conflict between General KorniM' and M.. Kerensky over the donarturo of General Savinkoff. General Korniloff insists that General Savinkoff must remain in charge at the War Office. On tho other hand, M. Kerensky has adopted ench a tone towards General Savinkoff that the latter has been compelled to resign. These disagreements aro clo3ely connected with impending Army reforms. General Alexieff. as spokesman of the Officers' League, lias announced that he is determined to speak without fear regarding the state of the Army.—The "Times." FINNS ABOUT TO DEFY THE GOVERNMENT SERIOUS TROUBLE SIMMERING. Helsingfors, August 28. The Finns aro in a state of great excitement, awaiting the opening of the Diet on Wednesday, despite the Perroßrad Government's prohibition. A great number of Russian soldiers are in Finland, including Cossacks. At Helsingfors the So<!ii»lists are preparing for armed resistance.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. [11. Kerensky stated at Moscow that the Government would use force, if necessary, to prevent the meeting of tho Finnish Diet.] ANOTHER COLLAPSE ON THE BATTLE FRONT ' TRENCHES LOST WITHOUT A FIGHT. London, August 33. A Russian official message states:—"Tho enemy commenced an offensive from Czernowitz against Novoaelitza. Our infantry near Boyek, not waiting for the attack, left the trenches, and retired eastward. The reserves also scattered, and the Austrians occupied the positions."'—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Reuter. GERMAN OFFICIAL REPORT. J-ondon, August 28. A. Gorman official report states:—"Jr. .Rumania, the■ enbm.v pressed us back from a recently-captured height north of Sovnia."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Reulor.i THE RUMOURED ARMY PROM JAPAN NO FOUNDATION IN FACT! London, August 28. Groundless reports have been circulated in Paris that Japanese tronps /will soon arrive on the Russian front. It is believed that tho reports are of enemy origin. It is difficult to see tho object of the canard, but it was apparently hoped to cause disappointment when it was discovered that tho reports wore untrue, and possibly to create disseniion between the Allies regarding the part each is playing in the war.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.