ON THE BRINK OF CIVIL WAR

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3190, 14 September 1917, Page 5

ON THE BRINK OF CIVIL WAR

KERENSKY OR KORNILOFF ? CONTRADICTORY STATEMENTS BY RIVAL LEADERS By Telegraph-Press Association. Copyright Petrograd, September 12. ■ M. Eerensky has issued a statement that "the internal situation i£ more serious than was anticipated; but the Goyomment unanimously favours decisive measures. The people support tho Government, and havo complete faith in tho triumph of our cause,"—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. \ - AEeuter message states:—M. Kerensky lias issued a' statement that Korniloff's mqveinent is rapidly collapsing. The commanders on all fronts except the south-western have declared fidelity to the Government. Some of the commanders, of Korniloff's columns have arrived, and are demanding authority to arrest the leaders..' The Government has takon energetic measures for tho defence of the city,'arid hopes bloodshed will be avoided. News from tho provinces indicates tnat;everywhere there is a spirit of loyaltytand fidelity to tho Government. Supporters'.of the Komanoffs' residing in Petrograd have been arrested.' Tho extremist newspapers call on the masses to arise and attack the bourgeoiso when Korniloff's troops appear in the outskirts of the city. KERENSKY CLAIMS THAT THE MUTINY HAS FAILED f ; (Kec. September 13, 8 p.m.) London, September 13. A wireless message from Petrograd s ays that SI. Kerenskv has issued the following' .statement:—"ln', accordance with the Provisional Government's decision I have/ been charged' with the office of Chief Command of the Army. The senseless attempt at mutiny by tho late Commander-in-Chief and a small gronp of generals has ended in complete failure. The mutineers will be delivered to the military revolutionary tribunal. This bloodless liquidation of the mutiny shows the wisdom of the people, tho Arm y, and the Fleet, who are loyal to tho Fatherland and tho legal Cxovernment."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable A6sn.-Reuter. A MANIFESTO TO iTHE FORCES ' "t '"... (Rec. September 13, 8.30 p.m.) London, September 12. A .wireless message from Petrograd states:—"M! Kerensky, as Prime Minister and Commander-in-Chief, has issued the following message to Russia's armed forces:— •

"I declare my complete faith in all ranks of the Army and Fleet. Everyone, whether general or eoldier, will be punished for the slightest disobedience. It is time to cease playing with the country's fate." A further wireless message says:—' A statement has been issued by the Provisional Military Committee, announcing that a workmen's militia has been organised in Petrograd. There have been numerous further arrests in Petograd." The statement adds: "The state of mind of Korniloff's soldiers near Luga is unsettled. The majority of the troops at the front support the Government. The Directory-Committee has created now Departments for the following purposes: Supplying the needs of the Army, creating a bond between the regimental district committees, and the defence of Petrograd, also a Strategical Depart-mont."-rAuB.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Eouter. . , FIVE GENERALS "DECRIED' AS REBELS." (Rec. 'September 13, 8.30 p.m.) -, .' ' ' Petrograd, September 12. The Provisional Government has decried as rebels Generals Korniloff, Denskine, Lukhomsky, Markoff, and Kisliakoff.—United Service. GENERAL KLEMBOVSKY DISMISSED - SITUATION GROWS MORE CHAOTIC. (Kec. September 11, 0.20 a.m.) Petrograd, September 13. General Klemboveky, who was reconly appointed to the chief oommand of the Army has been dismissed. Ho will be succeeded by General Boutch Bouyeovitch, ex-chief of Staff to M. Kerensky. The Soldiers' and Workmen's Council is liberating the Maximalists wTTo wero arrested at the outbreak on July IG. The trial of General Sukhoiulinoff Tias been postponed until the situation is calmer.—Router. . • . CADET PARTY WILL PARTICIPATE IN NEW GOVERNMENT. , Potrograd, September 12. The Cadet Party (Constitutional Democrats) have jig Teed to participate in the reconstructed Cabinet if that will avert civil war. Tho fixed prices of cereals have doubled owing to the increased cost of transport.- Afartial law has been proclaimed in Moscow.—Bonter. MANIFESTO BY KORNILOFF HIS ONE DESIRE IS TO SAVE HIS COUNTRY. Potrograd, September 12. The Government announces lliat Government troops have occupied Pekoff. There arc persistent rumours in Petrograd that a battle was fought at Luga on September 11. General Korniloff has issued a proclamation, stating that his one desire is to bring the country out of tho impasso and lead it along the road to fortune. Ho swears ho will only hold power till a Constituent Assembly has been elected.—"The Times." , . THE ADVANCE ON PETROGRAD. Petrograd, September 12. Korniloff's advanced troops havo reached Gatchinn, less than twenty miles from the capital.—Renter. KORNILOFF ASPIRES TO THE THRONE London, September 12. The "Daily Telegraph" states that General Korniloff liae clearly defined his policy, which includes, a demand for his elevation to tho throne aa.head of tho Dolgorouk family, which is more ancient than tho ltomanoffs.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn, ■ i .

A PRESS PROPHECY. m , >, „- , ,™ ,„. ' n-rr '-, *. New York, September 12. Tho NewTork "World" euys:— Konwloff ismoro likoly to be known in history as a rebel than as a dictator.—Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assn. NEWS ALL COMING FROM THE KERENSKY SIDE (Rec. September 13, 7.45 p.m.) London, September 12. The news from Russia continues to o manato exclusively from Provisional Government sources. M. Nekratjoff, Vice -President of tho Conncil of Ministers, has informed the Press that tho political situation is perfectly favourable, adding that all tho Ministers had resumed their posts except two. The Government troops occupy Pekoff. If tho latter statement is accurate, those troops must have come from the Riga front. Thero is no further news of General Korniloff's cavalry, which was reported to bo marching- on, Petrograd.—Reutcr. BETTER CLASS WEARY OF DISASTROUS CHAOS PROVISIONAL'GOVERNMENT F EARS KORNILOFF'S ADVANCE. I ' (Rec. September 13, 11.15 p.m.) m , _ T , _ . ~ j „....,, Pe t ro gi"ad, September 13. The Nevsky Prospekt was thronged a 11 night with crowds, Including constant-ly-increasing soldiery, who were haran gucd by professional agitators. The i "Daily Mail" correspondent states tha t the usual revolutionary talk is no longer, Teeeived with/the same applause. Many of tho better class people openly declare that they would welcome Korniloffs entry into Petrograd and the ending of the disastrous national excitement and chaos. The Provisional Government's preparations indicate that it fears Korniloff's advance more than tho shower of communiques reveal._ Besides destroying the railways, parties are feverishly tearing up and barricading roads leading to tho capital. Other ivarfiEe preparations and tho spread of etrikea are intensifying the general feeling of uneoeinees. Nevertheless, apart from perpetual talk, Potrograd, inured to excitement, remains fairly calm, though everywhere there is a tense air of cxpeotancy of big events.—United Service. FOOD FAMINE WHICH MAY LEAD TO DICTATORSHIP London, Septembor 12. Tho "Daily Telegraph's" correspond onfc at Petrograd state that tho knowledge is widespread that thero is almost certain to bo a famine,next year, paving the way for a dictatorship. The food control is now invested in provisioning committees, which'are largely composed of ignorant peasantry, who are utterly incapable of judging tho needs of the country, and acting energetically 1 and unselfishly.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn." KUBAN COSSACKS TIRED OF KALEIDOSCOPIC CHANGES Petregrad, September 12. The Kuban Cossacks, protesting against tho Government's changes of military commands, previous to Korniloffs ultimatum, said: "We have had enough of these kaleidoscopic changes, which eor Vβ only tho interests of Germany, as those responsible for tho changes aro aw are.—Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assn. THE UKRAINE BACKS KERENSKY. London,' September 12. A wireless message from Petrograd s fcates that tho Secretariat of the Ukranian Parliament appeals to all military U kranians to support the Provisional Government, and declares that a victory for Korniloff would bring tho Russian democracy to subjection, and the Ukraino to a new .enslavement—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Reuter. THE SITUATION ON THE BATTLEFRONT GERMAN OFFICIAL REPORT. ■ (Rec. September 13, 8.30 p.m.) London, September 12. . A German official report states: —"Wβ repulsed Russian reconnoitring parties between the Baltic- and the Dwina. A total of 8900 prisoners, 325 cannon> and several traine, and other booty were taken during the battle of Riga. Wo repulsed five attacks south-west of Eilguf and"uyna."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Aem.-Rou-fo - ' ' I . THE SLUMP IN THE ROUBLE. (Eoc. September 13, 9.10 p.m.) London, September 12.' The rouble has reached the equivalent of i\A. (nominal value, Is. 7Jd.).— "The Times."