RUSSIAN AFFAIRS.

Hokitika Guardian, 20 June 1917, Page 2

RUSSIAN AFFAIRS.

(Por Press Association.—Copyright.)

CHANGING OPINION.

LONDON, June 17. The “Daily Chronicle’s” Pdfcrqgrad correspondent Btates that a change of tone is observable in the Workmen’s letter to M. Vandervelde and Thomas on the proposed international Socialist peace conference. The Council is bocoming less doctrin- ___ al as it comes to grips with the facts, especially with internal affairs, on which it supports the Government. ''~ There are indications of a similar change regarding international affairs. The Council now expresses sympathy with Poland, Belgium, and Serbia, and their right to compensation. d A CONFERENCE SUGGESTED.

R'euter’s Telegrams.)

PETROGRAD, June 17

The Provisional Government has published a Note suggesting an Allied conference with the object of revising their war aim agreements, excluding the London agreement, the signatories to which have agreed not to conclude a separate peace. DESERTERS BROUGHT BACK. COPENHAGEN, 'Juno 18. A Danish liner brought from ica 700 Russian Finlanders who had fled from Russia for political reasons. .

SECRET BALLOT.

FAVOURS CONTINUANCE OF Thjs A WAR: V

PETROGRAD, June 19.

The' secret ballot of the Workerscommittee and Social Democrats favored the advance of the armies. Th© Socialist revolutionists voted in favour of a pro-war policy. The situation, .remains complicated.

The National Convention of Warkers and Soldfcri represent workers and soldiers throughout Russia, and probably the voices of 25,000,000 citizens.

GOVERNING RUSSIA.

PETROGRAD, Jun© 19,

The Council, possessing eight out of 1900 votes, is likely to lose its influence, the new body which is expect* ed to appoint a board to assist the Government.

There 'is lively recruiting for the so-called ‘Death Battalion,” men and women volunteering to attack" the enemy regardless of their lives.

A DIFCICULT PROBLEM

PETROGRAD, June 18.

Tho general opinion is held that the internal crisis will shortly bring an event requiring the union of all the forces of law and order. The revenue receipts have reached' vanishing point because the taxpayers have lost confidence, whilst innumerable Republics throughout the provinces are diverting the local revenue to their own. purposes. Commerce and industry have been reduced to desperate straits and expropriation of land and factories has disastrously affected tho peasants, workers and capitalists.

INTERNAL DISCUSSION.

[“renter’s” telegram.]

LONDON, June 19

The Daily Telegraph’s Petiograd correspondent states that tho Leninists are lavishly supplied with, funds for the control of the army of agitators who ar© taught to repeat par-rot-like tho formula that poisoned works are calculated to play upon the ignorance of th© Russian populace, but a violent reaction is growing. The Government’s firm action is grim and indicates that the struggle against German propaganda is approaching a crisis.

Mr. A. Henderson is active successfully addressing immense meetings of soldiers, interviewing the workers’ delegates, and consulting with th® Government upon all-important labour organisation. Mr. Henderson sent the Worker’s Council his views on an international Socialist conferen © and in- 3 * dications are general that the council has abandoned its efforts to secure a separate peace.

M. Kerensky and Tereetcbiniko snspiringly addressed' the Congress of th© Worker’s and Soldiers’ Delegates denouncing the treason of 'the extremists.

RUSSO-JAPANESE ALLIANCE.

NEW YORK* 'June 19.

The “New York Times” Washington correspondent learns authoritively 4iat the change of Government in Russia has not affected the Ruiso-Japan-©s® Alliance.