RUSSIAN CRISIS.

Taihape Daily Times, Issue 220, 15 September 1917, Page 5

RUSSIAN CRISIS.

KORNILOFF'S GENERALS SUICIDING. NEW YORK, Sept 14. Advices from Russia state that Kruinoff, commander' of Kornilaff’s troops, shot himself, but not fatally. General Grimoff, also a commander in Korniloff’s rebellious committed suicide. Following a conference Kerenskv announced that the First Secretary of the Swedish Foreign Office had been dismissed. KORNILOFF’S PROPOSED TERMS. HIS SURRENDER EXPECTED. PETROGRAD, Sept. 13. Korniloff’s terms proposed the appointment of three dictators, whereof he should be one. He demanded the suppression of all democratic councils committees and similar organisations. Korniloff’s readiness to surrender had been anticipated since Wednesday as he led only a small number of troops, and failed to rally others to his standard. Alexieff, as chief of staff, telegraphed Korniloff, hoping to convince him that his attempt was doomed to failure, and to induce him to lay down his arms. It is generally believed that Korniloff is not the real head of the rebellion, but that Lukhomsky is the real instigator. Lukhomsky is a reactionary partisan for the old Court clique. It is difficult to say how Korniloff’s attempt has affected the army’s morale.

Petrograd is outwardly calm. Meetings and processions are prohibited and the movements of residents strictly curtailed.

Kerensky will probably endeavour to form a coalition Government in whicli all sections will be given representation. A WISE DECISION, SOLDIERS’ COMMITTEES KILLED. NEW YORK, Sept. 14. The United Press correspondent at Petrograd says that the soldiers’ committees will henceforth have no say in military affairs. The commanders at the front will be supreme. KORNILOFF ’ S ARMY. LONDON, Sept. 14. The “ Daily Express’s” Stockholm correspondent reports that Korniloff’s army consists of two cavalry divisions, an infantry division, six Cossack regiments and many oddments. NEW COMMANDERS. PETROGRAD, Sept. 14. General Russky has been appointed to the command of the northern front, and General Eragomiroff to the command of the south-western front. SUPPORT OF KORNILOFF. PETROGRAD, Sept 14. Meetings held in many factories generally condemned Korniloff. Many resolutions were passed in favour of the Sovictc taking over the government. The “Novoe Vremya” and another paper which had a tendency to sup- ' port Korniloff have been closed by the Government’s order. Eighty of Prince Lvoff’s assoicates suspected of favouring Korniloff have befcn arrested. Prince Lvoff’s position during the crisis has been mysterious. After the interview, which ended in Kerensky dismissing Korniloff, the latter issued a proclamation denying Kerensky’s version of the interview, declaring that he had never sent Prince Lvoff to the Premier, but that Kerensky sent Prince Lvoff to him. This ied to the final rupture, and Korniloff moved his troops towards Petrograd. lie was urged to the enterprise by Lukhomsky, his chief of staff RUSSIANS REPORT PROGRESS. LONDON, Sept 13. Wireless Russian official report on Wednesday says: On the northern front our vanguards, after a stubborn battle, obtained possession of the Massil southward of Lake Plaude, and a foothold "in the SchkorstenSilamouya line. Thursday’s communique reads: Our vanguards are advancing in the direction of Riga. We continue to hold the line. Intense artillery fire is in progress southward of Vidza. We took pcs session of a height southward of Ra dautz and repulsed counter-attacks. LONDON ,Sept 14.

A wireless Russian official report states; In the direction of Riga advanced detachments, fighting their way forward, occupied Kulis village, in the coast region, and captured Peine, .southward of the Pskoff road taking prisoners and booty. They ad vanced on Rentzon, and southward.

alexieff Averts civil war. KERENSKY STRONGER THAN .EVER.. . -... ,3 LONDON, Sept 14. The latent Petrograd telegrams show that Alexieff’s action in joining Kerensky saved Russia from the horrors of civil war. Terestchenko, the Foreign Minister, after a long and difficult interview, finally persuaded Alexieff to accept the position of Chief of Staff, Kerensky promising that the sol3iers> committees should not interfere in strategy. The crisis has left Kerensky stronger than ever. As M. Kerensky left the Cabinet on Monday he said: “Every thought of peace is impossible. The question. pf, power must be decided by arms.” Events justified his boldness'. The Government announces that Korniloff’s troops are surrounded. Korniloff need expect no mercy from the Government. The Soviet rejected all proposals of mediation by Cossack delegates, who offered to go to Korniloff’s headquarters. They -were at the last moment not allowed to leave. Instead the Soviet sent Socialist delegates to treat with Korniloff's troops. Directly Korniloff’s advance was known, troops faithful to Kerensky, collcted outside Petrograd, digging fortifications and trenches with all speed, and tearing up railway lines. A large number of Kronstadt sailors came to Petrograd. Government buildings, and telegraph and telephone lines were strongly guarded. Petrograd was excited. Newsboys were mobbed for new editions. Opinion was divided as to the leaders’ merits. Some said Korniloff was a German agent, others that he was seeking to end the conditions of anarchy. The majority waited for an estimate of hi s strength.