RUSSIA.

Taranaki Daily News, 13 April 1917, Page 5

RUSSIA.

ANNEXATION ATTITUDE. CAUSE OF THE TURMOIL. AX EXPLANATION. Received April 12, 5.5 p.m. London, April 11. The Daily Chronicle's Petrdgrad correspondent, explaining the Government's attitude regarding annexation, especially of Constantinople, states that the question came to the forefront as a result of 51. Miliukoffs statement that his personal view was that Austria should be disintegrated and Russia should annex Constantinople. The Socialists were thrown into a ferment and the position became so serious that the Government were Compelled to disclaim annexation. A congress of the Cadet Party, the best organised in Russia, passed a resolution in support of the Government's statement. The veteran leader Sodicheff emphasised Russia's obligation to the Allies, and said those sneering at the annexation of Constantinople should remember the Allies' tremendous sacrifices in Russia's interests. Thousands of British and French soldiers had been buried for Russia's sake nt Gallipoli. and they did not want the Allies to say they gave their sons and brothers at'fialiipoli perely to satisfy a Russian whim. CORDIAL RELATIONS, WITH SCANDINAVIA. ■, Christiania, April 11. 11. Mil'mkoff. in an interview with the Aftenpost, states that Russia's relations with Scandinavia will be most cordial. There was no fear that Russia would attempt to take Swedish or Norwegian northern harbours. Russia's way to the sea was through the Dardanelles. The possession of Constantinople was a necessary condition of Russia's lifei NONDESCRIPT MALCONTENTS. GERMAN INFLUENCE. London, 'April 11. Reviewing the position in Russia, Reuter says the extremists are mainly represented by the Council of Workmen and Soldiere, What is unknown is the backing they have in the army, if any. Apparently, they are nondescript malcontents and others of the JacoWn type, whose heads are turned by the social upheaval. The German secret efforts to influence these are unlikely to succeed in view of the .steadfastness of the Government, comprising the best elements in Russia. RUSSIAN TRENCHES. TEMPORARILY OOCUPIED. London, April 11. A wireless Russian official message says:—The enemy occupied our front trenches northward of Rojdsche, but was driven out. The enemy forced an entrance into the trenches in the region of Tereschkovez, in the direction of SokaV but was compelled to evacuate them after bayoneting our wounded. A stubborn battle is proceeding with the Turks in the region of Rachta, southward of Uchovne.