PANIC IN RUSSIAN CAPITAL

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3187, 11 September 1917, Page 5

PANIC IN RUSSIAN CAPITAL

■ TERM-STRMEN INHABITANTS J LEAVING PETHOGRAD ARMY ENTRENCHING ON NEW : ■ -LINE BRITISH SUCCESS IN THE WEST THE DIPLOMATIC SCANDAL IN" ARGENTINA

The news from Petrograd to-day discloses a condition of 6erious panic in tlo Eussian. capital. The partial evacuation, of tho. city is in progress, and crowds are streaming into the railway stations in frantic haste to got i away, anywhere. .The Government's perplexities are multiplying. The food crisis is serious, Finland is defiant, with open hints of going dver to tho Huns, xho are credited with, designs on that country of a similar kind to that marked down mid car ried out for the Poles whether the latter liked it or not. Tho militaryveituation has not developed to such an alarming degree as" the panic at the capital would lead one to expect. If tho news is up-to-date, it has not materially altered to any extent at all. Expert comment on the outlook is hopeful. Heavy fighting is reported from tho Western front. Tho. British have captured now ground, whilo the French have inflicted terrible punishment on the German, attacking waves on tho Mouso front. Britain's reply to the Pope's Peaco Note amounts to an endorsement of President Wilson's reply. The diplomatic scandal in tho Argontino has created a terrific sensation in tho capitals of the Allies,.and the consensus of opinion is ( that explanations from Sweden are due.

THE GERMAN BLOW ON THE RIGA FRONT , ENEMY PREPARING TO FORCE AN ADVANCE PANIC-STRICKEN EXODUS FROM PETROGRAD \ ■■'•'■■■ By Telegraph-Press Association- Copyright \ London, September 9. ' A Russian official report states: "In the direction of Riga the enemy has constructed bridges across tho lower portion of the River Aa, and is concentrating his forces on tho north, bank, under cover of liis cavalry, in tho region of Zegvold. Our cavalry is hindering tho German advanco. We repulsed an enemy offensive southward of the Radautz Volley (in Bukowina)."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Routor. GERMAN OFFICIAL REPORT

(Roc. September 10, 5.5 p.m.) ' London, September 9. .A German official'report states: "Between the .'Baltic and tho Dwina we drove back the Russians at many poin ts from positions they were con-solidating."—Aus.-N.Z. 'Cale Assu. , - ■■' STRONG PROBABILITY OF A CHECK London, September 9. The "Daily Chronicle's" correspondent at Petrograd states that, barring disasters, there is a strong possibility that the Germans will be held up between Pskoff and the sea, and the Austrian advance on the south-western front Will be checked on the Bessarabian and Podolian_ frontiers. The Russian army on the Rumanian front, after some wavering fighting,'is, on the whole, in creditable temper. . Petrograd is at .present restrained, with few outward signs. of panic, but there is a strong undercurrent of ugly rumour, bitter recrimination, and acute class hatred. There is certain evidence of discipline. The soldiers are now drilling in the streets, after months of- idleness.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assu. : ' ( . . ■ X RUSSIAN OFFICIAL VIEW OF THE SITUATION London, September 9. M. Kadottzeff, in' an interview in London, where he is on an important official mission, said: "Petrograd is neither in immediate nor prospective danger. General Korniloff is busy on the south-western front, which is' far more important than the northern front. He had to choose, between sacrificing Biga and saving Odessa and tho most fruitful districts of Southern Russia. The Kaiser and von Hindenburg will be hugely deceived if they imagine that tho march from Riga to Petrograd is to be a mere military promenade. A largo Russian array is posted on the Pskoff line. Even supposing tho enemy pierced this line, there remain immense mosses of troops between the Dwina front and Petrograd, including many divisions and corps which may be confidently relied upon to oppose with a patriotic and successful resistance. It is possible that von Hindenburg contemplates attacking from the sea or from Pin- 1 land. Recent events have proved that Germany is trying to precipitate a revolution in Finland, in order to secure a foothold and a base for operations. This conspiracy was crushed, but,, supposing Germany obtained such a base, before making a descont from Finland her Navy must destroy Russia's Baltic Fleet. When I left Petrograd the news was most reassuring, especially as regards the restoration of discipline in tho mosquito torpedo fleet, which is the backbone' and mainstay of the Baltic defences. Tho political and social outlook is improving daily. The disaster at Riga will act as a trumpet call, rallyijig the masses of the people to a storn sense of duty. I saw many signs of tho closing up of tho ranks before I embarked for England."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

FATE OF PETROGRAD IN THE BALANCE PARTIAL EVACUATION OF THE CITY BEGUN. (Rec. September 10, 7.15 p.m.) . ' . , Petrograd, September 9. ■ Tho fate of Petrograd hangs in tho balance. Tho Russians are hastily entrenching across Courland. Officials have been armed with, arbitrary power to stop the stream of refugees outside tho city and direct the exodus to tho eastern provinces. Tho congestion in all tho towns has reached enormous propor. tions. The people are mostly penniless and homeless, and are adding greatly to the Government's perplexities for the coming winter. The Government, besidos taking military measures for the closing of places of amusoment, is re. striding lighting and traffic, hoping by these discomforts to drive out all excepting those who are compelled to remain for business. Refugees state that tho fall of Riga came with dramatic unexpectedness to the civilian population, who were unaware that tho Russian troops had. rotreatod, and continued business as usual untila tremendous bombardment fell on the city, chemical sheila causing a darkening pall of smoke. The terror-stricken' populace fled wildly through the gas-poisoned streets, huge shells falling in their midst, slaughtering and maiming hundreds, and setting the houses on fire. Thero were terrible scones and a mad panic at the railway station. Tho refugees ran the gauntlet of the bursting shells, and thousands were left behind.—"Tho Times."

CROWDS AT RAILWAY STATIONS (Koc. Soplomber 10, 7 p.m.) London, September !). The "Daily Chronicle's" correspondent at Petrograd states that crowds aro waiting in tho rain at tho railway stations, eager to depart anywhere owing to the alarming Tumours. Tho Government is encouraging the departures, and has appointed a committeo to dotermino the moans of dispatching half a million. The arrest of tho Grand Dukes is causing dissension in the Cabinet. M. Kerensky is accused of acting s precipitately. Tho plot was in an embryonic stage. Some of thoso accused ..of participation have been proved to bo innocent. The Russian Government i'b fearful of tho result of the fall of Riga upon Finland. It is affirmed in 6omo German military circles that tho real object of the Gorman offensive is to establish direct communication witli Helsiugfors, turn Finland into a second Poland, and uso tho Finnish legions to fight Russia, under a promise of tho creation of an independent Finland—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

GOVERNMENT WILL 11EMAIN BEHIND FOR AT LEAST SIX WEEKS. (Rce. September 10, 8.30 p.m.) Petrograd, Soptember 10. The Minister of Posts and Telegraphs is controlling the partial evacuation of the city. The Government has decided that the question of its own departure can be postponed for s.ii weeks.—Beuter.

SOUNDS OF A BIG NAVAL BATTLE (Rec. September 10, 5.5 p.m.) Copenhagen, Septemlier 9. There has been a most heavy cannonading at Riga and Eeval. It is believed that a naval battle is in progress.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. MINISTER OF FOOD SUPPLIES RESIGNS . (Rec. September 10, 8.30 p.m.) Petrograd, September 10. The "Bourse Gazette" states that the Minister of Food Supplies has resigned owing to the difficulties of the food problems.—Renter. BAN" ON EXTREMIST JOURNALS. (Rec. September 10, 7 p.m.) Copenhagen, September 9. The Russian Provisional Government 'has adopted a stringent Press regulation. M. Kerensky has prohibited Maximalist and two. counter-Tevolutionary papers. The military censor has decided that papers shall publish only the official war telegrams.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. FINNISH SEPARATIST MOVE (Rec. September '10, 8.30 p.m.) Petrograd, September 10. The Helsingfors nowspapcr "Vclcherno Yremya" announces that the Senate has drafted a Bill for the final separation of Finland. The Bill will be presented, as an ultimatum to the Provisional Government—Reuter. ) ■ ' "\ PUTTING THEIR HOUSE IN ORDER I , ' ' Petrograd, September 9 :A Commissioner has been appointed to deal with overcrowding. Ho has appealed to the inhabitants who' aro not obliged to remain to gradually leave the city, in view of the possibility of air raids and the scarcity of provisions. The newspaper 'Ttotcli" says the. Government is considering the advisabloness of removing to Moscow.—Reutor. KAISER EXULTS Amsterdam, September 9. . The Kaiser, addressing the troops at Eiga, .declared: "Germany will defend herself however long tHo war lasts. Battles such as that ut Eiga would bring the end of the war nearer. 'At them, my men, so that Germany will gain a victory over, her enemies!'"—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. ATTACK BY THE BRITISH IN THE WEST ENEMY'S LINES PENETRATED SEVERE STRUGGLE ON THE FRENCH FRONT

The High' Commissioner reports: London, September 0, 1.10 p.m. Sir Douglas Haig reports.: "We attacked east of Villeret, penetrating the enemy's trenches and capturing prisoners. "\Ve also raided the enemy's trenches at Savrelle, east of Vermelles." (Rec. September 10, 7.45 p.m.) London, September 10. Sir Douglas Haig reports: "The Northumberland troops captured six hundred yards of trenches south-east of Hargincourt. Simultaneously we captured a small portion of' trench, roundine off our lino eastward of Malakoff Earm, and improved our position north-east of St. Julien."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Eeu-ter. '•.',-.

HEAVY FIGHTING ON THE FRENCH FRONT SEVERE LOSSES INFLICTED OS THE GERMANS.^ London, September 9.' A French official communique states: "The Germans violently counter-at-taoked tho positions we captured yesterday on tbe 6ector of tho Posses and Caurieres Woods. We repulsed them with heavy losses, and our scouts pushed beyond tho Posses Wood. It is estimated that there are. over a thousand enemy corpses before our lines. There is a grriven back, but retained a small part of left bank of tho Mcuse, but no infantry fighting has occurred."—Aus.-B.Z.i Cable Assn.-Keuter. . (Bee. September 10, 7.45 p.m.) London, September 10. A Fronch official communique states: "Following an intense artillery fire, the Germans attacked in force on the right bank of the Meuse on a front of three kilometres (nearly two miles), on both sides of Hill 31-1. A few detachments only gained a temporary footing. Our counter-attack completely re-e6tal>-lished our lines. Tho enemy renewed his fruitless attempts to Tccapture his positions at Chaulnes AVood. A number of columns north of Wavrille Wood "were caught in our fire, and severely punished."—Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assn.-Eeuter.

GERMAN OFFICIAL REPORT - (Ecc. September 10, 5.5 p.m.) . London, September 9. , A German official report states: "We repulsed an Enßlish night attack northeast of St. Mien. There has been fierce fighting all day oil tho east bank of the Mouse. The enemy generally was driven back, bu tretained a small part of Chaulncs Wood, and the ridgo to the, east of the wood."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.Reuter. , ■