RUSSIA’S CRISIS.

Hokitika Guardian, 12 September 1917, Page 2

RUSSIA’S CRISIS.

CHARJGE AGAINST RORNILQFF. OF BETRAYING RUSSIA. Reuter’s Telegrams. LONDON, Sept T 22. * A Petrograd wireless message states that M. Keronsky has despatched a message to the military and civil authorities throughout Russia declaring that General Kornilpff has betrayed the Fatherland and the revolution: General Lukomsky, who is also a traitor has refused tho Provisional Government’s order to take over General ‘ Korniloff’s command indicating the possibility of civil war at tho front. General Korniloff will be punished for his treachery. The Government is taking measures to prevent General Korniloff directing detachments.

KERENSKY’S - PROCLAMATION. APPEAL TO THE PEOPLE. LONDON September 10. Another wireless message from Petrograd gives the following details of M. Kerensky’s proclamation:. General Korniloff on Saturday sent to Prince Lvoff demanding that the Provisional Government hand over to General Korniloff all civil and military powers in order that he might form a new Government.

General Korniloff telegraphed to me later, confirming the demand. The Provisional Government considers that General Korniloff’s demand indicated that a certain circle of Russian society desired to profit by • the country’s grave condition to establish an order contrary to the revolution. The Provisional Government has empowered me to take immediate and decisive measures to cut short at the root alattempts to encroach upon the citizens’ rights won by the revolution All necessary measures to safeguard freedom and order ate be'ing taken. I order General Korniloff’s surrender of the function of Commandep-in-Chief to General Klembovsky, who is commanding the northern front, barring the way to Petrograd. General Klembovsky wil lremain at Pskov.

I declare the city and district of Petrograd to be in a state of war and call upon the citizens to be absolutely calm and to maintain order which is necessary for the preservation of the Fatherland. All members of the army and fleet will vigorously _ and calmly fulfil the duties pf defending the Fatherland from its internal foe.

SUPPORT FOR KERENSKY.

PETROGRAD, Sep. 10. The Workman’s Committee suggests that the Army and' Navy refuse to obey Generals Korniloff’s and Lukomsky’s orders. KORNILOFF’S ORDERS. HAS STRING BACKING. (United Service ! .ffegr.uiss.) . Sep. 10. The strength of the rival parties in Russia is obscure, but the prevalent belief in London is that the rigid censorship is hiding momentous and very grave events. It is believed that General Korniloff’s authority is backed by the Kaledin, Cossack, Cadet, and Monarchist parties. General Korniloff’s hold upon other troops is an unknown quantity. General Korniloff is not expected to accept a compromise, believing that after the failure of his Moscow warnings a most stringent, military dictatorship is the ODly hope of stopping tho rot and restoring Russia as a military ally.

FACTORIES CLOSING DOWN. [LONDON TIMES SERVICE —COPYRIGHT] l PETROGRAD, Sep. 10. Workers are leaving the city and returning to the villages owing to the shortness of food and work. Numerous factories have been closed for want of fuel. German agents are everywhere active, endeavouring to provoke a panic by threats of violence, bombing and incendiar[sm.

RUSSIAN REPORT. ■ 1 * TADMIRALTY —TER W’RELESS PRESS.} [■“PEUTKR’s” TELEGRAM.] LONDON September 10. Russian official:. In the direction of the Riga region and Pskov our rearguards are holding back attacks on tho Burtnek line. Enemy hydroplanes from the , Baltic dropped 40 tons of bombs on the Mzerel batteries but without result. Sixteen air machines twice attacked our torpedo-boats in the Gulf of Riga but no damage was done.* Enemy minesweepers are working at the entrance to the Gulf of Riga.

A COSSACK DEPUTATION. (Received this day at 12.30 a.m.) PETROGRAD, Sept. 11. A deputation of Cossacks assured M. Kerensky, that the Cossacks would do their utmost to settle the dispute between General Korniloff and the Provisional Government in order to avert civil war.

The deputation goes to the Army Headquarters, with this object, after reaching an agreement with M. Keren•ky.

RUSSIAN BALTIC FLEET. SIDES WITH~GOVERNMENT. WELLINGTON, This Day. The High Commissioner reports from London September Tlth. at 4.20. p.m. By wireless M. Kerensky advised this afternoon that the entire Baltic Fleet, with the staff and officers, has unanimously placed itself on the side of the Provisional Government.