BRITISH MINISTER'S VIEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 20 March 1917, Page 5

BRITISH MINISTER'S VIEWS.

LONG STBIDE TOWARDS FREEDOM London, 'March 18. Mr. Barne9 (Pensions Minister), in a speech at Eastham, said he believed the revolution would prove the chief event and asset on the side of the war. The Russian people had made a long stride towards freedom. More strength to the Duma, might it gather up all the best in Russian life, Fur months Russia had been torn asunder by internal strife. Thousands of her soldiers had been sacrificed by the rascality and greed of the bureaucracy, which' was as corrupt as existed in any part of the .world. lie believed tho revolution would have a reflex influence on the German bureaucracy and re-echo world.wide. THE NEW RUSSIAN GOVERNMENT. QUESTION OF RECOGNITION. London, March 17. Tn the House of Commons questions were asked as to whether the Government would send a resolution of sympathy to the Duma and whether tho Government would recognise the new Government. Mr. Ronar Law said it would be necessary to wait until the! situation was clearer. PETROCRAD BEING REORGANISED. ORDERED CHANGE IN OTHER PLACES. Received March 19, 11 p.m. London, March 19. The Daily Mail's Petrograd correspondent, wiring on Saturday, says the Government H organising the city militia to take the place of the police. Meanwhile the military are patrolling the streets. Excepting the abse\:ce of tram cars, sleighs and horse traffic, the town ha.s resumed its normal aspect. The change of government in other cities, towns, and villages .was rapid and bloodless. Huge crowds watched the auction in Moscow of newspapers. A single copy of the Ruskoe Rove brought a thousand sterling, the proceeds going to provide luxuries for the soldiers. Tho city is perfectly calm and safe. PLENTY OF GRAIN. OLD GOVERNMENT'S CRIME. Received March 19, 8 p.m. Stockholm, Marcli IS. The Dagens Nyheter's Petrograd correspondent says that there is now sufficient grain for several weeks. Thousands of tons were found which speculation had withheld. It is believed the old Government organised a shortage of bread, which is at pre-war price; BALTIC FLEET JOINS NEW GOVERNMENT. Received March 1!), 5.5 p.m. Copenhagen, March 19.—1t, is It is reported that the entire Baltic fleet has poined the revolutionaries,

CZAREVITCH SEVERELY ILL. GOOD ADVIOE. Times Service. Received March 10, 5.5 p.m. Petrograd, March 18. General Koenilov has been appointed commander of the Petrograd troops. He is a popular hero of the war. The Czarevitch is severely ill with measles. i Eeuter Service. Tho Grand Duke Nicholas ordered the releaso of the political prisoners, He exhorted the officers to impress on the soldiers and sailors that they should quietly await the expressed will of the people, obey their lawful chiefs, defend their country, and support the Allies. '>•"' ' ;—: •; im ..■■ UNITED STATES. GERMAN DEFIANCE. 'AMERICAN VESSELS SUNK. New York, March 18. Three American ships, the City of Memphis, the Illinois, and the Vigilanta have been sunk, it is believed off France. Thirty-two Americans are missing.. The crew of the City of Memphis were practically all Americans or naturalised Americans. The vessel left New York for HaTre on January 23 with a common cargo add arrived at Havre on February 6. She then left for Cardiff for bunker coal, prior to returning to New York. She normally carried a crew of 58. The sinking has caused tremendous interest, being regarded as the final evidence that Germany is determined not to spare any American ships.