IN RUSSIA

Hokitika Guardian, 13 April 1917, Page 1

IN RUSSIA

(Australia r -> & N.Z. CablejAaso/a ion end lie liter),

LONDON, April 11.

Reuter’s correspondent, reviewing the position in Russia, says that the Extremists are mainly represented by the Council of Workmen and.the soldiers.' They are apparently a set of nondescript malcontents, whose heads have been turned by the social upheaval, hut German secret efforts w influence them are not likely to succeed.

fe'ixtd Opinion (Australian & N.Z. Cable Association and Reuter.) LONDON, April, 11. The “Daily Chronicle’s” Pctrograu correspondent in explaining the Government’s attitude regarding annexation .especially of • Constantinople! states that the question came to the forefront as a result of Mr. Milinkoff’s statesmen, his personal view was that Austria should he disintegrated and that Russia should annex Constant inopjle. The Socialists hare boon thrown into a state of ferment and the position was so serious that the Government was compelled to disclaim annexation. Congress Cadet Party, tlio best organised in Russia, passed a resolution in support of the statement. xho Veteran leader, Mr. Rodicheff, emphasised Russia’s obligations to her Allies and said that those who-were sneering at the annexation of Constantinople would remember the Allies tremendous sacrifices in 'our interests. Thousands of British and French soldiers had been buried for Russia’s sake on Gallipot*. We don’t want our Allies to say imu they gave their sons and brothers on Gallipoli merely to satisfy Russia’s whim.

A Crisis

PIXTROGRAD, April 10. An internal crisis is assuming an acute form. The Committee, of Labour Deputies officially notifies the formation of a Committee on Foreign Relations to open direct peace negotiations with the enemy for- this purpose, a deputation going to Stockholm. 'fhe Committee demands that their representation he given a voice in the direction of operations at the front.

The Committee of Soldiers’ Deputies publishes what it terms the fundamental programme, declaring that, while not repudiating an active defence, we demand immediate united peace negotiations among all the belligerents and propaganda, among the masses, with a view of terminating the war, which benefits only the Burgeoiserie.

Week’s Sinkings. LONDON, April 11. The Admiralty reports the arrivals for the week were 2106, sailings 2367; sunk, seventeen over 160!) tons and two under 1600 tons. Fourteen were unsuccessfully attacked ; six fishing vessels wore sunk. An Italian naval communique shows that during the week five Italian steamers under 3000 tons, and ten sailers under 300 tons were sunk. .... Naval Bass

OTTAWA, April n. The Imperial War Cabinet has, it is understood, agreed to a scheme of Empire naval development by which Halifax and Esquimau will ho improved in order to form a naval base in both the Atlantic and the Pacific.

Federal Loar.

LONDON, April 12

The Australian Commonwealth Loan prospectus will be issued on Friday the final instalment of 50 per cent is payable on the 18tli. Juno and the interest is payable on the Ist December. It is estimated that the Loan will yield the investor 115.,per cnct compared •' with the present yield of the British War loan 114-i per cent. The advanced issue price compared with the Australian loan is due largely to the Lower Bank rate.