RUSSIAN REVOLUTION

Taihape Daily Times, Issue 220, 19 March 1917, Page 5

RUSSIAN REVOLUTION

IN NICK Of TIME ■%' TO PREVENT SEPARATE PEACE GREAT FRENCH AND BRITISH SUCCESSES BAPADHE AND PEIONNE CAPTUkED STRENUOUS PURSUIT OF GERMANS

NO lIaLUSIONS. CHERISHED IN GERMANY. CONCERNING THE REVOLT. LONDON, March 16. Messages from Berlin show that no illusions are cherished in Germany as to events in Russia. The newspapers emphasise that the new Duma Committee hates Germany, and is desirous of continuing the war. Stunner's Premiership greatly increased the revolutionary movement, particularly when M. Protopopoff, from whom much was expected, suddely became reactionary. The explosion on the warship Empress Marie in Savastcpol and the explosion in Archangel were popularly regarded as the work of traitors, and the word treason was heard everywhere in Russia. Speaking in the Duma in November M. Miliukoff said: ‘‘Since Stunner became Foreign Minister all our secrets have become the property of Germany, and the link of confidence with the Allies is broken.'’ The speech was not allowed to be published. Stunner wrote to the Duma demanding M. Miliukoff's surrender for prosecution. The demand was refused. THE CZAR’S MANIFESTO. A NOBLE MANIFESTO. LONDON, March 17. The text of the Czar’s manifesto' to the people is as follows: — In the days of a great struggle against a foreign enemy, who has been endeavouring for three years to enslave our country, God has boon pleased to send Russia a further jjainful trial. Internal troubles threaten to have a fatal effect on the further progress of the war. The destinies of Russia, the honour of her heroic army, the happiness cf the people, and the whole future of the beloved Fatherland, demand that the war be conducted at all costs to a victorious end. The cruel enemy is making his last efforts, and the moment making his last efforts, and the moment is near when our. valiant army and our glorious Allies will finally overthrow the enemy. In these decisive days in the life of Russia, we have thought it our duty to secure to the people the close union and organisation of all its forces for the realisation of a speedy victory; wherefore, in agreement with the Duma, wo have recognised that it is for the good of the country that we abdicate the crown and lay down our supreme power. Not wishing to separate ourselves and our beloved son, we bequeath our heritage to our brother Micheal, with our blessing for the future of the throne. We bequeath it to cur brother to govern in full union with the national representatives, and to take his inviolable oath to them, in the name of our well beloved Fatherland. We call upon all faithful sons of the Fatherand to fulfil the sacred and patriotic duty to obey the Czar in this painful moment of national trial, and to aid him, with the representatives of the nation, to conduct the Russian State to prosperity and glory. God help Russia. ’ ’ A DRAMATIC INTERVIEW. BETWEEN CZAR AND REVOLUTIONARIES. Received 10.10. PETROGRAD, March 18. Details of the abdication show that a deputation, including General Rimsky, waited on the Czar at Pskoff n I midnight, and describing the latest events, advised him not to senfl treops to Petrograd from the front, because every soldier became revolutionary when he approached the capital. The Czar asked: “What do you want me to do?” “Abdicate,” was the reply. “ The Czar was momentarily silent, He remarked: "‘lt would pain me to be separated from my son; therefore I abdicate in favour of my brother.” H e then signed the decree of abdication, which was already drafted.

Russian revolction

STORY OF THE FIGHTING.

LONDON* March 17. The “Times” special correspondent at Petrograd says the only visible sign of the desperate conflict are the charred ■mins of the gaol, the remains of the Police Institute, and the gutted houses of a few individuals who were regarded as offenders against the people’s rights. The first troops who mutinied were the Volkynski who at 5 o’clock on- Sunday night refused to fire on the strikers, and slew their officers. Another regiment sent, against the mutineers joined the revolt. The news spread to the barracks, and four more regiments joined. They seized the fortress, stormed the artillery depot, and opened the gaols. Fighting was incessant until noon on Tuesday, the insurgents winning a pitched battle on 1 the Morskaya. Numerous regiments shot their officers. Th e last loyal regiment surrendered to the 'Admiralty on Tuesday, handing over the hidden Ministers. After the beseiged had poured in rifle and machine-gun fire, a furious battle fenced with exultant shouts and the tri-.'-umphant strains of the Russian revolutionary 1 ‘ Marsollaise. ’ ’ PETROGRAD, March 18. casualties are estimated at one thousand killed and wounded. Though there was no rioting at the outset, the Jjlate Government used unnecessary violence, 300 casualties being absolutely unprovoked. ' The provisional Government states that the Czar is at Plikoff. He has not been arrested. The Czarina is in perfect safety. The Government insists that the Czar’s abdication and the Grand Duke Micheal’s regency are temporary. COPENHAGEN, March 17. Swedish advices state that the Czar is a prisoner of the Duma, at the Entauride Palace. It is rumoured that the Empress has been sent to Kieff. EFFECT IN GREECE. MAY LEAD TO KING’S FALL. WASHINGTON, March 16, ■ Reports from American representatives abroad indicate that the Russian revolution may lead to stronger measures to deal with the King of Greece, perhaps involving his abdication. EFFECT ON GERMANY. NEW YORK, March 16. The most intense interest in felt as to the effect of the Russian revolution on Germany. It is predicted that it may effect the German masses with liberalism, causing a democratic outbreak and the overthrow of militaristic absolutism. Great satisfaction is expressed by American statesmen, who belive that Germany’s threat of an autocratic Russo-German alliance after the war is now impossible. STURMER DIES OF FRIGHT. PARIS, March 17. “The Temps’ ” Petrograd correspondent states that M. Stunner died of fright after his arrest. ALLIES RECOGNISE NEW GOVERNMENT. LONDON, March 17. British, French, and Italian diplomats and military attaches informed the Executive of the Duma of their readiness to recognise the Executive as the sole authority in Russia, and to enter into business relations forthwith. THE GRAND DUUKE MICHAEL'S MANIFESTO. > PETROGRAD, March 17. The Grand Duke Michael issued a manifesto yesterday stating that he was resolved only to acce Pt supreme power pßkded a plebiscite of the nation declared, through its constituent Assembly, that it agrees, ho exhorts all Russians ifcb obey the Provisional Government.

BLACK SEA FLEET GIVES ADHERENCE.

REVOLUTION SPREADING. Received 8.40. PETROGRAD, March IS. The Black Sea fleet has given adherence to the new Government. The Kremlin and arsenal at Moscow are in the possession of the revolutionary troops. The officers of the corps in response to the new Government's instnictions have joined the movements FINNISH TROOPS SUPPORT THE GOVERNMENT. CZAR UNDER ESCORT TO CRIMEA. REVOLUTION IN NICK OF TIME. TO PREVENT SEPARATE PEACE. Received 8.45. COPENHAGEN, March 18. General Ignaticff, in a proclamation, requested the Finnish troops to join the revolution. All the garrison have complied, with the exception of Sveaborg, which is mutinous, and is now in a state of scige. The National Fidende says that the Czar and certain intimates and members of his family, were escorted to the Crimea by a military guard. The Aftenposten says the Russian revolution came in the nick of time. Negotiations had been carried on at Stockholm for some time for a separate peace between Russia and Germany. The recent inactivity on the Russian front was due to an agreement with Germany.

CZARINA A DANGGEROUS WOMAN

Received 8.45. STOCKHOLM, March 18. Swedish newspapers state that the Czar and Czarina arc not allowed to hold communication, as the Revolutionary Committee consider the Czarina’s influence is dangerous to the cause. (The Czarina is a German princess, of the Grand Ducal house of Hesse, and is a granddaughter of Queen Victoria.). ;• The Social Democraten states that Prince Galatzin (late. Premier, and to a large extent the cause of the present revolution) committed suicide yesterday. MOVEMENTS OF CZAR AND FAMILY. Received 9.45. COPENHAGEN, March 18. The “Dagensnyheter” states tile Czar is being taken to the Crimea to recuperate. The “Nyadayligt” says the Czar is imprisoned in Tauida and the Empress has been sent to Kieff. The Dowager Empress has declared her sympathy with the Revolutionaries. THE CZAR'S OBSTINACY. DID NOT ABDICATE FREELY. Received 9 a.m. . PETROGRAD, March .18. Many rumours regarding the story of the Czar’s abdication ar e afloat. Only one thing is certain, that he did not abdicate absolutely and voluntarily. in order to spare the country further trouble. Even the Grand Duke Nicholas’ and General Alexieff’s telegrams did not produce any effect. He consented to negotiate with the Proi visional Government only when jourj neying to Petrograd, when he realised his position. While allowed to move seemingly freely, he really was under guard, and unable to communicate to j anybody except his closest entourage. I He was chiefly anxious for sufficient j guarantees that his life and the lives lof his family should’ be spared. Genj eral Russky, on behalf of the army ; under his command, reassured him that no harm would befall any member of the family. CZAR CONTEMPLATES SUICIDE. “BETRAYED BY THOSE I TRUSTED.” | A RUSSIAN REPUBLIC PROBAB*LE. Received 9 a.m. LONDON, March 18. It is reported that the Czar, when not allowed to communicate with his ! contemplated suicide, hut was eventually induced to take things calmly and submit to the inevitable, j His last words as Czar were: “I have ; been betrayed by those I trusted most ; immediately.” j W^en his abdication was known to | the people they went with ladders to J the Imperial Public Library and the V in L er and Aniticskkff Palaces, and other buildings, and removed the Imperial arms. The Republican spirit is rapidly spreading. It is believed that if the National Assembly chooses Prince Michael as head of the State it will be as President of a Republic after he renounces His Grand Ducal rights.

ON THE WESTERN FRONT.

RAPID ADVANCE ON THE SOMME. LONDON, March 17. Sir Douglas Haig reports; Bapaume was captured after stiff fighting with German rearguai'ds. The town was systematicallly pillaged by the enemy, who destroyed private houses and public buildings and carried off or burnt everything of value. Our advance proceeded rapidly today astride the Somme. Soutnwards of the river we entered the enemy’s positions on a sixteen miles front and occupied Fresnes, Horgny, VilliersCarbonnpl, Eterpigny, and La Maisonette. Northwards of the river, in addition to Bapaume, we (hold Le Trausloy, Riefvillers, Bihucourt, Achiet le Grand, Bucquoy, and Essarts, also Quesnoy Farm, 1500 yards north-eastward of the last-named, and gained the western and north-western defences or Monchy au Bois. SOLID PROGRESS MADE. LONDON, March 17. Sir Douglas Haig reports; Our advance northward of the Somme has been continued. Nearly th e whole of St. Pierre Vaast Wood, also trenches extending 1000 yards southward and two thousand yards northwards have been occupied. We beat off an attack north-east of Gommecourt. BRITISH ACTIVITY IN FLANDERS ! LONDON, March 17. ' . f We carried out successful raids lithe Arras, Souchez and Vermelles* neighbourhoods, inflicting many casualties. THE GERMAN EXPLANATION. LONDON, March 17. Admiralty, per wireless: —German official; English detachments between Sailly and St. Pierre Vaast Wood, and French detachments between B‘euvraignes and Lassigny, established themselves in trenches abandoned according to our plans. The French advanced westward of Tahure, but failed. BIG FRENCH ADVANCE. PROGRESS ON 12-MILE FRONT. LONDON, March 18. A French communique says;—our detachments, which are continuing to vigorously press th e enemy, made further progress north of the a vie —- between the Avre an<i the Oise, on a front of more than twenty kilometres, to a depth at certain points of more that four kilometres. A German attack north-west of Berry au Bac was smashed by our fire. Some enemy - factions, which succeeded in entering a portion of our trenches, were driven out immediately with the bayonet. We made substantial progress by means of grenades in the region west of Maison de Champagne, and captured several portions of trenches. Lively artillery fire continues throughout, this sector, and in the direction m Auberive. We made several successful raids west of the Meuse, in Cheppy Wood, Bois le Pretre, and near Remenouvelle, west of Pont au Moussou; also at Sudelkopf, In Alsace. We took prisoners.

There were numerous air fights. Eight enemy aeroplanes were brought down. A brisk struggle has developed east of the Meuse, in the region of Feme Des Chamboches. Several enemy attempts were made on on e of our trenches, and finally repulsed. After serious (3) advances and retirements, the Germans sustained appreciable losses. French communique.—We continued to progress on both banks of the Avre. We took prisoners. There was sever e artillery fire between Soissons and Rhelms. FRENCH OOMMUNrQUE. LONDON, March 16. Our light detachments occupied points in front of our lines between th e Oise and the Avre. There was fairly lively artillery fire hi the region of Maison de Champagne Enemy coups-de-main on our small posts in the neighbourhood of Sourures Wood and Cambrettes Farm, on the right bank of the Meuse, failed. There were patrol encounters in i~.ie Lorraine and Alsace sectors at Eures and Ceppois lo Haut.

PEE/JNNE CAPTURED.

LONDON, March IS. The High Commissioner reports that the capture of Pennine has been com firmed.

BAPAUME CAPTURED.

ZEPPELIN BROUGHT DOWN. LONDON, March 16. The High Commissioner reports that the British official message states: — Our advance north of the Somme has continued, and we are now bolding the whole of St. Pierre Vaast Wood and the enemy’s trenches for a thousand yards to the south and two thousand yards to the northwards. LONDON, March 17. A French official states a Zeppelin was brought down at Compeigne in flames, and without doing any damage Bapaume has been captured. GERMANS RUN FROM THE FRENCH. 12 MILES FRONT ABANDONED. LONDON, March 18. A French communique says: On the whole front between Andechy and the Oise (about 12 miles), the enemy, refusing battle, abandoned under onr pressure, powerfully and scientifically fortified lines which he had occupied for two years. Our advance to-day continued rapidly. Patrols entered Roye, pursuing the enemy, who blew up cross roads and streets. Eight hundred inhabitants, whom the Germans had no time to remove, gave the troops an ovation. We also occupied Lassigny and reached and passed at several points | the Roye-Noyon road, north-east of j Lassigny. j The prisoners taken during the pursuit have not yet been counted. There is severe artillery fire in the Champagne and on the right of the i Meuse. | As a reprisal for burning Bapaume , a French aeroplane tb-day bombed Frankfurt-on-the-Main. ON THE HEELS OF THE HUNS. j NO TIME GIVEN TO CLEAR. Received 9.20. LONDON, March 18. Headquarters report that the rapid hardening of the ground and the ; fine weather are responsible for the activity on the Somme and Ancre. Ther e is much fighting to-day, our patrols are pressing the enemy rearguards everywhere. The sharpest conflict was at Bapaume, where the British fell upon the enemy before they could clear away their covering troops, 'which began tp withdraw immediately we advanced. The rapidity of their' retirement showed that the German main army had fallen back a considerable distance. The fall of Peronne is Impending, as the place is quite untenable by the enemy. BRITISH SUCCESSES A PRELUDE TO IMPORTANT CAPTURES. i ——- Received 10.10. PARIS, March 18. j Sir Douglas successes are 'considered only a prelude to the capture of important positions at the junction of Croiselles. The Germans are expected to yield considerable ground in th e Arras district.

' IN MESOPOTAMIA.

j ATHENS, March 17. Diplomatic circles have learned that important councils at Constantinople have decided at all costs to reorganise the defence of Asia Minor. They intend to recall troops from Riga, Galicia, Macedonia, and Eoumania, and employ them in the defence of Ottoman territory. The concentration of troops has already begun. Practically the whole male population has been called to arms. A wing of General Maude’s army is endeavouring to reach Khanikin ahead of the Turkish forces which are flying before the Russian advance from Ker--1 manshah. Tf the Turkish retreat is cut off, the enmy may surrender, or be driven into the aesert. The High Commissioner reports: In the fighting on Wednesday, on the right bank of the Tigris, the Turkish rearguard was driven back to a strong position covering the railway station at Mushaidcs. We continued the attack during the night; the position was finally carried on Thursday. The enemy retired hastily. The retreat continued on the afternoon of Friday of the remthc direction of Samarra. On Friday morning the enemy was straggling over a distance of 20 miles, with his rearguard 25 miles north of the scene of Wedcnesday’s fighting.

AMERICA AND GERMANY.

MORE OVERT ACTS. THREE AMERICAN SHIPS SUNK. 32 AMERICANS MISSING. Received 11.45. NEW YORK, March IC. Three American snips, City of Acmphis, Illinois, and Vigilanta, have beevsunk, it is believed, off Prance Thirtytwo Americans are missing.