EASTERN FRONT.

Taihape Daily Times, Issue 220, 25 April 1917, Page 5

EASTERN FRONT.

RLISSIA TO WAGE DEFENSIVE WAR. NO ANNEXATIONS WANTED. PETROGRAD, April 2«. The “Daily Express” correspondent had an interview with M. Kerensky, who is the Lloyd George of Russia, dominating the political situation. He said: The people went to war to defend themselves. They are now determined to wage only a defensive,

not an aggressive, war. They desire no annexations. If President Wilson Is expressing the wifi of the people in America, and is not merely making a diplomatic move, then I am in complete sympathy with his statement as regards the objects of the war. I have no objection to the principle of compensation in order to give reparation to Poland and Belgium. The British people are held in great esteem in Russia, but their connection with Czarism, as evidenced in America after the overthrow of Czarism, has given America a popularity which Brit--ain rarely enjoyed. If Czarism had continued when Germany commenced the spring offensive the defeat of Russia would have been inevitable. The troops in January were intermittently deserting their regiments. The armies had only two days’ food supply. Many soldiers -were starving. Only seventy per cent, of the blast furnaces were working, and the output of mines had fallen to one-quarter the normal quantity. Workmen are now all striving to increase the output. Particular attention is being bestowed on transport at Vladivostock to secure Ame-

rican supplies. The “Daily News' ” Petrograd correspondent says that M. Millukoff, speaking at Moscow, said he possessed secret documents showing that the Germans were debating whether to attack Russia immediately or to await until internal disorders should put Russia at Germany’s mercy.

IN MESOPOTAMIA.

SAMARA CAPTURED. LONDON, April 24. ■Samara Station, which, has been the objective of General Maude’s forces for some time, has been occupied by the British troops. SEVERE HAND TO HAND FIGHTING.

LOCOMOTIVES CAPTURED

LONDON, April 24,

Maude reports that the battle on the right bank of the Tigris, between Samarra and Istabulat continued on Sunday night. There was severe hand to hand fighting, and numerous enemy counter-attacks. We 'drove out the enemy, who stubbornly defended the position, which is provided with elaborately prepared iron roofed dugouts. We pursued and occupied Samarra Station on Sunday. The enemy hastily destroyed everything possible. Our captures include sixteen locomotives. The enemy’s casualties were heavy. RUSSIA'S INTERNAL AFFAIRS THE NEW RUSSIA, WILL FIGHT TILL VICTORY. WASHINGTON, April 23. A message from Russia, received by the Department of State, states that Russia is no more likely to abandon the war v/ithout achieving its object than is the United itself. The revolution aimed at the defeat of Germany, not at making separate peace. The new Government of Russia is organising itself on the American Republican model. The army is deterOpined, and is rapidly becoming' efncient.