REVOLUTION IN RUSSIA

Taihape Daily Times, Issue 220, 16 March 1917, Page 5

REVOLUTION IN RUSSIA

/ CZAR ABDICATED CONFUCT WITH THE DUMA CABINET MINISTERS ARRESTED PROVISIONAL GOVERNMENT SET OP MOVEMENT ANTI-GERMAN

pON THE WESTERN FRONT.

THE STRUGGLE FOR BAPAUME. FURTHER PROGRESS. LONDON, March 15. British official.—North of the Ancre valley our line advanced over a mile and a half south-vrest and west of Bapaume. We further progressed on a front of over 1000 yards south of Archiet le Petit, and occupied 1000 yards of trench south-east of Les Essaxts. A raiding party north-east of Arras did not reach our lines. Last night a party of ours raided trenches east of Armentieres. We effectively bombarded the ■eneuy’s positions north of the Somme and east of Arras. FRENCH CONTINUE TO PROGRESS LONDON, March 15. A French communique states:—We -con-tinned to progress by bombing in the tegion of Maisons de Champagne, notwithstanding a furious enemy bombardment with tear shells.

AMERICA AND GERMANY.

WAE INEVITABLE. f WASHINGTON, March 15. Mr Gerard told Mr Lansing that war inevitable with Germany. The desperate submarine campaign is Germany’s last hope. He warns the nation to rush forward the defence plans. AMERICAN AFFAIRS. TO COUNTERACT SUBMARININGS. BUILDING WOODEN SHIPS. Received 10.5. NEW YORK, March 15. The New York Tribune’s Washington correspondent states the Government Shipping Board is considering an expenditure of fifty million dollars on the construction of a fleet of two thousand wooden cargo ships of a standardized design, to counteract the submarinings. Representatives of 19 shipyards are conferring with the Shipping Board as to the time requir«o build one thousand ships. Representatives of the railways and unions have begun a conference in an attempt to settle the threatened strike, ON THE SEA. THE MERCHANT FLEET VAST BUILDING PROGRAMME LONDON, March 15. The Shipping Controller (Sir Joseph Maclay), with his vast shipbuilding programme, is spending unexpectedly large amounts, hence the sum taken by Mr Bonar Law (Chancellor of the Exchequer), of two hundred millions, to wind up the financial year, proved insufficient. This accounts for the vote of £50,000,000 now taken. ANOTHER POOR WEEK. LONDON, March 14. The Admiralty announces that arrivals during the week totalled 1985 and sailings 1959. The vessels sunk (of 1600 tons and upwards) were 13, and those under 1600 tons were four. Submarines unsuccessfully attacked sixteen ' fishers. Three merchantmen under 1600 tons which were reported last week a£ having been sunk have since been towed in.

BRITAIN’S WOOL SUPPLY

LONDON, Match 15. Mr H. W. Forster (Parliamentary -Secretary to the War Office) informed "Wwool deputation that; the War Office . and the Boa& of Trade intended' to ■pursue the general policy which, the Government had already laid down.

IN MESOPOTAMIA.

! RAILWAY GEAR CAPTURED. LONDON, March 15. Mesopotamian official. —Steps are being taken to prevent the flooding Bagdad during the coming rise in the river. The small arms factory in Bagdad is in good repair. The railway workshops contain uninjured serviceable machinery, five locomotives and rolling stock, BAGDAD MARKS ANOTHER STAGE ! LONDON, March 14. The Press Bureau says: The King in acknowledging the congratulations of Allied sovereigns and heads of on the capture of Bagdad, expresses .his confident belief that the successful advance of the Allies' is another stage on the sure road to victory.

INCIDENTS OF THE WAR.

DISTINGUISHING BADGES. FOR LONG SERVICE SOLDIERS. Received 10.10. LONDON, March 15. The Army Council is considering introducing a distinguishing mark for soldiers who have served long periods in the firing line. SUNDAY LABOUR. LONDON, March 15. The Press Bureau says Mr. Prothero asked the Archbishop of Canterbury’s opinion regarding Sunday field work during the next few weeks, in view of the importance of the next harvest. The Archbishop of Canterbury replied that he desired to safeguard Sun day to the utmost, but in view of the nation’s present food emergency, lie did not hesitate to say that the Gospel allows men and women to work in the fields on Sfindays with a clear conscience under such circumstances.

INDIA’S COTTON.

AN IMPORTANT DEBATE. LONDON, March 15. The House of Commons debated resolutions authoring the acceptance of India’s war contribution of a hundred million, and a Lancastrian amendment offering to increase the Indian cotton duties. Mr Asquith moved another amendment that the increase bo reconsidered after the war in connection with the fiscal relationship of the Empire. Mr Lloyd George accepted the amendment, which was unanimously accepted after the Lancastrian amendment had been rejected by 2(55 to 125. The House of Lords debated the cotton uestion. Lord Beauchamp withdrew a hostile amendment after Lord Curzon had assured him that the question would be reviewed after the war.

DARDANELLES COMMISSION.

LONDON, Marc-n 15. Replying to Mr. Asquith, Mr. Bonar Law said he would give facility for a statement regarding the Dardanelles report and suggested Monday or Tuesday. He suggested he should make a J statement on a motion for adjournIment to enable a debate to follow'. Mr. Lambert asked whether the House could be given the purpose of the excisions in the report without public detriment. Mr. Bonar Law thought all possible information should be given. A small Cabinet committee might be appointed for the purpose. He would ask Mr. Asquith to assist the committee. He would be glad of this hdlp.

REVOLUTION IN RUSSIA

CZAR ABDICATED Extraordinary Per Press Association Received 12.35 London, March 15 A revolution has occurred in Russia, and the Czar has abdicated. REVOLUTIONARIES SUPPORTED BY PEOPLE AND TROOPS POLITICAL PRISONERS LIBERATED. CRISIS LASTED POUR DAYS MOVEMENT ANTI-GERMAN. Received 12.35 LONDON, March 15—9.10 p.m. The Provisional Government appeals to the public to support the revolutionists, who are supported by the populace and the entire garrison. They have arrested the Cabinet Ministers. LONDON, March 15—9.40 p.m. The Central News Petrograd correspondent, under date Wednesday, says the Government has resigned, and a Provisional Committee of the Duma appointed. The troops joined the people. Political prisoners were liberated. There were many civilian casualties. The crisis lasted for four days, but is now quieter. ilie movement is anti-German. DUMA REFUSES TO DISSOLVE. CABINET MINISTERS ARRESTED. PROVISIONAL GOVERNMENT SET UP. NEW YORK, March 15. A trans ocean wireless from Berlin says the official announcement from Petrograd states the Duma on March 11 refused to .obey the dissolution ukase, and because of the breakdown in transport and the food situation, formed an executive committee, which declared itself the Provisional Government, and arrested all the Ministers. The Petrograd garrison supports the revolution. The Duma declared the Cabinet was no longer in existence, and appointed Engelhard, Colonel of the General Staff, Commonder of Petrograd. The Duma appealed to the population, troops, railways, and banks to resume normal life. Order is swiftly returning. NO CONFIRMATION OF REVOLUTIONARY MOVEMENT, •*' ‘ LONDON, March 15. Direct news from Petrograd has not been received since Monday. The Central News’ Stockholm correspondent states: A well-known business man who has just returned from Petrograd says there is nothing confirmatory of the rumours of a revolu-' tionary movement in Petrograd and elsewhere in Russia. Anyhow, the rumours have certainly been exaggerated. He only noticed a diminution of rail traffic, which was due to lack of fuel. FOOD CONTROL COMMITTEE APPOINTED. PETROGRAD, March 15. An Extraordinary Food Control Committee has been formed, under the Premier, but the Duma, Zemstvos and municipalities in large towns are not represented. The Committee is widely and authoritatively charged with organising the distrbution of food, of which large quantities are at Petrograd. REPORTS OF STRIKES UNTRUE. Received 10.10. STOCKHOLM, March 15. Regarding the reports of outbreaks in Russia, published by anonymous travellers from Petrograd, in Swedish and other neutral newspapers, M. Edstreven. Director of the Swedish General Electrical Corporation, left Petrograd on Friday, and states the reports are untrue that strikes are taking place on a large scale, and the military and civil population have not come into collision. In connection with th e food demonstrations. He announced that General Brusiloff has again taken command on the Southern Russian front.

THE RUSSIAN CAMPAIGN

RUSSIA COUNTER-ATTACKS. PURSUING THE TURKS. Received 10.50. LONDON, Marc-h 15. A wireless Russian official states the enemy, in the night, attacked and occupied portion of a trench southwest of Brzeshan. Our counter-attack drove them out with great losses. We are pressing the retreating Turks in the direction of Sakkis, anc approaching Banu. We have occupied Kermanshah after two days’ obstinate fighting.

IMPERIAL CONFERENCE

NEWFOUNDLAND PREMIER WELCOMED. LONDON, March 14. Lord Milner, presiding at a luncheon to Sir E. P. Morris, the Newfoundland Premier, said the special War Cabinets had provided for the time being something resembling an executive council of Empire, capable of taking devision affecting the course of the war. They wanted the Dominions to share in the war conduct in addition to the war burdens. Britain desired'to benefit by their counsel and wished to give their views and wishes the weight to which they were entitled. STATEMENT BY MR. BONAR LAW. LONDON, March 14. In the House of Commons, Mr. Bonar Law said the representativca of the Imperial Conference would be able to bring up any subject for discussion. The exact date had not yet been fixed, but it would be very soon. SARRAIL WEDS A NURSE SALONIKA, March 15. General Serraill (Commander-in-Chief of the armies in Macedonia) is to be married to Mdlle de Joannas, a French unrse in Macedonia. AUSTRALIANS IN FRANCE. SURPRISE FOR THE BAVARIANS. LONDON, March 5. Brigadier-General Brand (from the Somme) states that the Fourth Australian Brigade recently took a section of trench. Within an hour the representative of the Australian Comforts Fund arrived, and served hot refreshments amid the German dead; The Red Cross points out that there are no restrictions on the length of letters to prisoners in Germany. The practice of sending postcards has resulted in prisoners urging the Red Cross to inform relatives that they are constantly longing for letters and home news. A hundred Australians from Armentieres are in hospital in London, mostly wenuded in raids. They are from the hospitals of France in order toi clear the beds for the offensive, and agree that activity is increasing. The Australians’ raiding successes have established confidence throughout the new divisions, which suffers nightly strafing of its communications and billets. One of the wounded described Brigadier-General MacNiehol as a regular fire-eater, not satisfied unless he is continually harassing the enemy. The Germans have attempted raids, but never secured a prisoner from the trenches, although they have taken a few patrols. The Bavarians attempted a big raid about a week ago, sending over 300 men. They were caught by the Lewis gunners, and mown down. Only one reached our trench, and he did not return. Abnormal activity is observed behind the German lines. The wounded spontaneously pay tribute to the British airmen, whom the Australians regard as great and successful athletes. The wounded from the Somme state that during the frost great work was done in moving up guns towards Bapaume. The mud is again terrible, but the manner in which it smothers the German shells affords compensation.

GENERAL NEWS

THE ENEMY IN AMERICA GERMANY’S TOOL DUPES HIS EMPLOYEES Interesting particulars are to hand of the great German plot in the United States which ended in the conviction on all charges, by the American Federal Court at San Francisco, of the German Consul-General, Vice-Consul and others. Satisfaction is expressed that guilt has been brought home to the defendants, and that the infamous violations of privilege by German Consular officers will not go unpunished. The official position of the defendants and the nature of the charges throw an interesting light on the methods followed by German Consular officers in America. The defendants were Consul-General Franz Vice-Consul von Schack, Lieutenant Wilhelm von Brincken (German military attache), Charles Crowley (a secret service agent of the German Consulate), and his assistant, Mrs. Cornell.

The charge was one of conspiracy to set on foot a military expedition to Canada for the purpose of destroying munitions of war in transit to the Allies, and of conspiracy to commit similar acts in the United States. The' prosecution was conducted by the Government of the United States through the District Attorney. The chief witness was an informer, Louis J. Smith. His evidence was not taken in cross-examination, and was confirmed by various telegrams passing between him and his employers. He was first brought into touch with Lieutvou Brincken on May 8, 1916, and was taken into employment as a dynamiter. Matters were soon put on a businesslike basis by an attache agreeing to a regular salary of £6O a.month and expenses, with a bonus of £6O for every job done. The suggested included the placing of bombs on ships taking supplies to Vladivostock, th e blowing up of trains containing horses bought by (he Allies, the dynamiting of tunnels and bridges in Canada.

One of the co-defendants of ConsulGeneral Bopp, van Koolbergen, was unable to accompany him in the dock as he had already been convicted and imprisoned in Canada. It appears that Smith deceived his secret service agents. He admitted that he often suffered from cold feet, and he preferred to put harmless pieces of -wood in place of dynamite bombs on board the outgoing ships which were expected to blow them up within a few days of leaving port. But he bluffed von Brincken and drew some £250 before, in fear of some violent outrage, he confessed to the British Consul at Detroit and asked for the protection of of the police. A mdse important element of proof was afforded by the telegrams put in. These showed the systematic thoroughness of German official methods, for a cipher was invented in -which, as is alleged, “lawsuit’ represented dynamite plot, ‘ ‘ lawyer ’ ’ bomb planter, ‘ ‘ manager” Consul-General Bopp, and the notorious Captain von Papen figured as the other party. 'A humourous element is suggested by the choice of ‘ ‘ queer news ’ ’ to indicate ‘ ‘ Allies ’ ship safe. ’ ’ OVERCOMING DIFFICULTIES During one of the early mobilisations of the United States army on the Merican border, a captain of the militia, whom we will call Feeny, w r as detailed to take charge of a detachment of infantry. In one of the manoeuvres Captain Feeny was ordered to pursue the enemy, who, in the absence of a foe, was represented by another detachment. As an aid in remembering the assumed war condition, nearly every location of importance was posted or placarded with such signs as “This Sirring is Poisoned,” “This Road is Closed,” or “Fence Charged with High Voltage.” However, it needed no imagination at this particular time to realise that the weather was almost unbearably hot'. The umpires and observing officers, conconcealed in the chaparral, could not be accused of envying Captain Feeny as he trudged along sweltering in thedust at the head of his dejected and nearly exhausted command. They w T ondered how Feeny wmuld act when he rounded the turn in the road, and came to the bridge which bore the huge sign, “This Bridge is Burned.” They didn’t have long to wait. They saw the troops brought to an abrupt halt wdiilo Feeny and his men held council. In a shorter tim e than it takes to describe it, Fcnny w r as heard to hurl some strong epithets at the sign; then he yelled out at the text of his voice, “Forward! March! ” Before the officers could recover from their amazement the toops were nearly half w T ay over the bridge. One of the umpires, scandalised and indignant rose up and bellowed angrily through his megaphone, “Hoy! Captain Feeny! You can’t’ cross that bridge; it’s supposed to be burned.” A shrill rebellious Irish voice cried back, “Ye can go to the divil! We’re supposed to be swimmin’ ! ”