INTERNAL RUSSIA

Hokitika Guardian, 28 May 1917, Page 1

INTERNAL RUSSIA

Will Thorne’s Report. (Anttraliaa & N.Z. Cable Association aud Reuter.) LONDON, May 25. Mr. Will Thorne, who has arrived from Russia, said that when he reached Russia the military situation was gloomy and the political position inexplicable, but there has been a material improvement in consequence of our active propaganda. M. Kerensky (the Minister for War) who is primarily responsible for the coalition is one of the most popular and strongest of the modern tvussians, whose influence should reassure th e Allies. “I am,” said Sir Thorne, “more than ever hopeful of tho militarp aud political situation.”

The Chronicle’s Report. LONDON, May 26. The “Daily Chronicle’s” Petrograd ebrrespondent reports that 31. Kerensky has gome to the front. His influence and power will now bs put to the supreme test. Russia has unbounded confidence in M. -Kerensky, believing that he aloud can rescue the country from ruin and shame. He has completely won L» er the Workmen and Soldiers’ Council to the necessity of. defeating the enemy, but it would ha unwise to base oversanguine hopes thereon. The improvement at the capital is not reflected in the Army at the front. The Pacificists are not leaving a stone uinturned to persuade the troops that they are fighting merely to extend the lAllios possessions.: 'One (thing only can defeat these intrigues, namely a decsive reply from England and France thereon. The Russian soldiers are ready to shed their last drop of blood for their ideals, but must bo convinced than the Allies’ aims are equally idealistic.

Morning Post’s Report PETROGiRiAD, May 26. The “Morning Rost’s” Petrograd correspondent says it is estimated that 'Russia has ten to twelve million men with the colours, or iji various stage*, of training but only a' small percentage are- at the fighting fronts. Inspired by the example of the revolutionaries elsewhere many bodies of soldiers in the interior are running amok. Twenty thousand recently seized a south Russian estate lAinother party seized Tharitisin a town on the Volga with a population of 109,000 and demanded a contribution of 1$ million Roubles for their own purposes. soldiers also seized the Volga steamers. Despite these happenings Russia cher ashes,-the belief that the Empire can be ruled by kindness. General Alexieff’s Vievis.

LONDON, May 26. The- Daily Express’ Petrograd correspondent reports that General Alexieff in a speech to army officers said tear peace without annexations er contribut ions is utopian. A Bulletin of the Council of Workmen and Soldiers delegates thereupon accused General Alexicff of sowipg sedition and revealed that he served the, old regime. The Government will know how to put this presumpterous and garrulous general in his place. Other newspapers praise General Alexieff for telling the naked truth. , Many soldiers now consider the removal of Grand Duke Nicholas was an Unfortunate blunder. Admiral Kolchag of th© Black ;Sea Fleet who is a man of striking personality is often mentioned as a possible leader against tlie growing anarchy.

■*' A DangerrfcTßOGßAD, May 26. M. Kerensky speaking prior to going to the front publicly announced the Russian retirement in Armenia. “There was,” he Baid “not only a danger of losing Armenia hut possibly a part of the Caucasus. The Government would promise to publish a disciplinary code for the Russian army next week.”

ITALY’S OFFENSIVE Important Gains [REUTEE’S BEKVIGE. —-COPYRIGHT. 3 LONDON, May 26. The tactical result of tlie Italian victory is that they have now fought their way to tlie lower rocky terraces descending from the Carso Plateau to the Adriatic, thus securing a firm hold on the coast, road and tlie roadway to Trieste, which is only thirteen miles from tlie point attained. The Italians have also made important gains near Gorizia, capturing tlio formidable Monte Santo.

Monitors at Work ROME, May 26. Semi-official. British niondtors, assisting in the Carso offensive, made a prolonged and effective attack iln the Gulf of Trieste on the rear of tlie Austrian lines, especially on the aviation depots. The only enemy attempt at interference consisted of an aerial attack. We brought down two seaplanes. "All the Anglo-Italian units returned unscathed. Other reports state that tlie Austrians employed 100,000 in the Isonzo battle on Wednesday, one third of whom were annihilated.

Pushing On. LONDON, May 26. Semi-official.) —The Italians have mastered the'whole zone between Castagnavizza and tlie sea, thus only the Hiermada stronghold stands between tlie coast road and the Coinen Plateau and the Italian action towards Trieste and Laibach is now possible.