RUSSIA'S INTERNAL AFFAIRS

Taihape Daily Times, Issue 220, 12 May 1917, Page 5

RUSSIA'S INTERNAL AFFAIRS

AMERICAN MISSION FOR RUSSIA. TO PREVENT A'SEPARATE PEACE Received 8.50. NEW YORK, May 11. The Washington correspondent of the New York World states that tne Russian Commission will include Messrs Elihu Root, C. E. Russell (Socialist), Duncan (Labour Federation), also a manufacturer and a banker. They expect to leave shortly. They will represent the United States at an important conference of the Allies to be held at Petrograd s-hortly in order to prevent any move towards a separate peace. RUSSIAN SITUATION MOST CRITICAL. WHISPERS OF COMING CIVIL WAR Received 8.50. NEW YORK, May 11. The New York Sun's London correspondent reports that some circles regard the Russian situation as the most critical since the revolution. There are even whispers of a coming civil war in Russia. WASHINGTON, May 11. The American Commission to Russia includes Messrs Cyrus McCormiek and C. R, Bcrton (of New York), Banks, C. Crane, and Dr. John Mott (Chicago). ANNIVERSARY OF FIRST DUMA. IDEA OF SEPARATE PEACE REPUDIATED. Received 5.50. PETROGRAD, May 11. The anniversay of the opening of the first Duma was celebrated at an extraordinary sitting. All the members of the Duma and the Government attended, as well as the various diplomatists.

Rodziankc's speech was 'loudly ;cheered when the repudiated the idea' *o£ ,a ) separaate peace, and declared Russia's loyalty to her Allies. 'The .assemblage rose and gave a great ovation to the Allied- Ambassadors. >

MUNITION MAKERS REVOLT. PROCLAIM A REPUBLIC. Received 9.25. PETROGRAD, May 11. Schlesscelberg munition makers have revolted and proclaimed a Republic. It is not known if the movement is serious. Soldiers and the Duma representatives are co-operat-ing to restore order. Apparently there has been no violence.

GERMANY'S INTERNAL TROUBLES.

STATEMENT BY FOOD DICTATOR. .. . -

SUFFICIENT TILL NEXT HARVEST.

AMSTERDAM, May 11

Herr Batocki, the German Food Dictator, in the Reichstag said he was cinvinccd the food supplies would last until next harvest, but the Government must ensure careful distribution and proper cultivation of the soil. England had been forced to copy Germany, but could not introduce bread tickets on the German scale because of insufficient supplies. Germany could expect considerable help from Roumania, but it must be remembered there were bad harvests in Hungary. Crops in the occupied territory generally were disappointing. The war had created difficulties for agriculture in Turkey and Bulgaria.

The speech is regarded as an admission of failure to solve the food problem.

NEWSPAPERS MAY CEASE PUBLICATION.

OWING TO .SHORTAGE OF

MATERIALS

Received 8.50 a.m

AMSTERDAM, May 11

The whole of the Berlin press has telegraphed to Count von Bethmann Hollwcg that owing to the shortage of paper and coal, it may be impossible to publish newspapers at the beginning of next week, and demand a remedy. It is pointed out that a stoppage of the papers may have fatal political consequences. THE VANISHED COLONIES. GERMANY'S VAIN HOPE. .; AMSTERDAM, May 10. During the discussion in the Reichstag yesterday of the Colonial Vote, Herr Noske, an official Socialist, said that peace without annexation implied the restitution of the German colonies or compensation in the event of portions being abandoned.

Dr. Solf, Colonial Secretary, declared that the entire Reichstga, except the Socialist Labourites, demanded the restitution of the colonics.

SECRET SESSION.

REVIEW OF THE WAR

PRIME MINISTER'S OPTIMISTIC

STATEMENT

LONDON, May 11

The Press Bureau states that at the

secret session of the House of Commons, Mr. Churchill dealt with the i»eneral naval and military situation, oespecially Russia's position, the development of the struggle on the West Front America's strength, submarine problems, the Balkans, and enquired into the marine losses and food supplies. Air. Lloyd George dealt fully with Mr. Churchill's points , Hc COnmentjd on Austria's internal situation, and Germany's military position in relation to reserves, contrasting it unfavourably as regards ours.. He quoted the AngloFrench military chief's satisfaction"at the results of the recent operation? on the West Front, and explained the proposed methods of satisfying the War Office 's demands for further reserves. Mr. Lloyd George gave figures of the British tonnage sunk monthly since August, and an encouraging account of the methods adopted to meet submarine attacks, also the tonnage building for the next 12 months. He pointed out that with the productivity of Home supplies there was no fear of starvation. Britain, he added, would be self supporting in 1918. It was unnecessary to re-state th Allies' war aims, which were wei known. Mr. Asquith expressed his full agreement with the Prime Minister, but deprecated secrecy. Hardly anything was said which could not be said openly. He invited Mr. Lloyd George to publish the bulk of his speech.

IRISH AFFAIRS.

CLERICAL MANIFESTO. IRISH MEMBERS PERTURBED. ADDING FUEL TO THE FIRE. LONDON, May 10. Irish members of the House" of Commons are perturbed at the clerical manifesto appealing for; Irish support to a protest against temporary or permanent partition of Ireland. Unionists point out that all the Protestant bishops outside Ulster, but no Presbyterians, Methodists or, Congregationalists signed the manifesto. Unionists recall the action of the Catholic bishops in 1916, which destroyed Lloyd George's proposals after they had been accepted by the Nationalist Convention at Belfast. The general impression is that the manifesto will help the Sinn Feiners and make the task of Mr. Redmond most difficult. The Unionists insist that they have already made two great concessions; first, in not further opposing Home Rule; secondly, in surrendering three out of the nine Ulster counties, while thus far the Home Rulers have conceded nothing.

A SINN FEIN VICTORY. * ' IN THE LONGFORD FIGHT. LONDON, May 10. The South Longford by-election resulted: McGuinness (Sinn Fein), 1498; McKenna (Nationalist), 1461. Sinn Fein majority: 37. GENERAL CABLES GERMANY'S WATERWAYS.

AMSTERDAM, May 10

Leading Hamburg merchants discussed the improvement of the canal systems in order to restore Hamburg's lost trade. Dr. Nathies, president of the Chamber of Commerce, rejected the Main-Danube Canal scheme as beingover expensive and merely intended to benefit Rotterdam and Antwerp which would never be German. The meeting passed a resolution that the Government construct an Elbe-Danube canal as Speedily as possible. ~ CHURCH AND THE WAR. LONDON, May 10. iSince February the bishops have released 666 clergy. The majority have volunteered for chaplaincies, 'A total of 2012 clergyman have offered to undertake national service. AMERICA'S HELP. I WASHINGTON, May 10. | America ha s agreed to lend the French j and Belgian Governments 75.000.000 j dollars to cover the cost of relief work j in Belgium and France. \