THE RIGA FRONT.

Taranaki Daily News, 19 May 1917, Page 5

THE RIGA FRONT.

FURTHER FRATERNISING REFUSED. Received May 18, 5.15 p.m. United Service. Fetrograd, May 17. The Nord Sud Agency reports that on the Riga front;, in spite of German threats to overwhelm the Russians with asphyxiating gas, the Russian regiments are refusing to fraternise everywhere, and have resolutely discontinued friendly meetings with the enemy. The disappointed Germans have loosed an intense rifle and artillery fire. BRUSSILOFF'S AND GURKO'S RESIGNATIONS. NOT ACCEPTED BY GOVERNMENT.

Petrograd, May 17. The Government has not accepted the resignations of Generis Brussiloff and G.urko,

A conference of South Russian peasants demanded the abolition of private land and a shartf" of the Government land with the soldiers and workmen.

COALITION MINISTRY FORECASTKD

Copenhagen, May 17. A forecast of the Russian Coalition Government is:—

Prince Lvoff, Prime Minister and Min ister for the Interior.

M. Miliukoff, Minister for Foreign Affairs.

M. Kerenski, Minister for War,

M. Shingoreff, Minister for Finance. Either M. Skobeleff, vice-president of the Workers' and Soldiers' Counoil, of Admiral Kolichak, commanding the jllack Sea fleet, will be appointed Minister for the Navy. Socialists will be appointed to al- ' most all the other portfolios.

PANDEMONIUM OF FREEDOM. A MIRACLE REQUIRED. •OR RUSSIA WILL BE OUT OF THE WAR. London, May 17, The Morning Post's Petrograd correspondent sends two .gloomy messages. The first, dated the. 14th, says: — "What was foreseen two months ago in now materialising with appalling rapidity. Men who have spent nearly the whole of their lives in political agitation against of government are proving themselves incapable Of governing, and quite unequal to the double demands of a foreign war and internal ananchy. "After two months' cheap jubilation Russia has become like a jellyfish at 'the mercy of the winds and waves. Even the bread problem is unsolved, and has actually gone from 'bad to worse. The disorganisation of food and other supplies has caused ft steady exodus of inhabitants from Petrograd. "Russia seems rolling in money and some of the commonest forms of labor are paid at the rate of £3OO annually, and the streets are worse than ever. "Peasants in the country have sewed all the land they want, the army is, rul«d by company, regimental and divisional committees, freely discussing the 1 outers of their superiors. " The correspondent addß: "Amidst this (pandemonium of freedom all things tlyrougliout Russia seetii likely to go und4r, and the war appears forgotten. A miracle is required soon if it is to be in time."

The second message, dated tl Hit, says that full councils of woi'kir and soldiers have been' summoned i consider the coalition question. Whatever happens matters can hardly be worse, because the late Ministers' orders were altered and cancelled. The delay resulting must be fatal militarily. Though the resignations of Brussiloff and Qurko have not been accepted, their retirement is only a matter of time. General Alexieff's position is also unstable. It is possible to hold two opinions regarding Russia's home interests and the revolution, but regarding Russia's share in the war no two opinions can bu held anywhere. Unless a miracle hapj pens Russia is out of the war and Germany has a free hand in France, leaving 'Russia to lie dealt witli at hec leisure.

THE GOVERNMENT'S COUNTER PROPOSALS. MILIUKOFF ASKED TO RETURN TO MINISTRY. Keceived May 18, G. 50 p.m. Petrograd, May 17. In response to the proposals by the Workmen's and Soldiers' Council, the Government lias proposed tho following conditions: Firstly, all treaties with the Allies must bo observed. Secondly, the Government's power must be absolute. Thirdly, strong measurps must be taken against anarchy. Fourthly, tha army must be maintained in full forw. Fifthly, agitators must lie forbidden access to the army. As M. Miliukoff's resignation will mean the withdrawal of all the National Liberals from the Government, he has been askad to reurn as Minister of Education.