RUSSIA.

Taranaki Daily News, 21 May 1917, Page 5

RUSSIA.

PROCLAMATION BY GOVERNMENT. SEPARATE PEACE REJECTED. NATIONS TO DECIDE THEIR OWN AFFAIRS. RUSSIAN ARMIES H'ILL SUPPORT ALLIES. Received May 20, 5.5 p.m. Petrograd, May 19. The reconstituted Government has issued a proclamation stating it will be guided by the spirit of Liberty, Equality and Fraternity. It rejects the idea of a separate peace, and aims at a general peace without annexations or indemnities, on the basis of the rights of nations to decide their own affairs. It is convinced that the defeat of Russia and her allies would not only be a calamity, but would postpone world-wide peace, and believes that: the Russian army will not suffer the Germans to destroy the Western Allies and then themselves upon Russia. IMPORTANT ARMY ORDER. OFFICERS MAY NOT RESIGN. DESERTERS WARNED TO REJOIN. GENERALS RETURN TO THE FRONT Received May 20, 5.5 p.m. Petrograd, May 19. The Minister of War has issued an order pointing out that the armies of the country are indangercd, and everyone must do their share in defending the country. No requests for resignation by the officers in the high command who desire to escape responsibility in this grave time will be entertained. Deserters from the army and navy are enjoined to rejoin by the twenty-eighth, under threat of severe punishment. The generals commanding the armies have returned to the front, after conferring with the Government. RESTORING THE ARMY'S STRENGTH. GOVERNMENT MUST NOT BE H1N- .,,„ DERED. Received May 20, 5.5 p.m. London, May 19. The Daily Chronicle's Petrograd correspondent states that General Alexieff. when interviewed, said that M. Keren - slcy's appointment as War Minister was intensely satisfactory to all ranks. There ore already signs of'improvement in the army, and if the Government is invest, cd with undisputed au:hority, and h not hindered by irresponsible outsiders, ihe army will soon be restored to its former strength and organisation.

The Nord Sud states that documents foun, on prisoners show that the en'iniy is inovi.ig forces from Mitava to reinforce the other fronts. There are indications that the enemy's supplies of explosives are limited, and that they are using them sparingly. A NOTE OF OPTIMISM. THE TIMES ON THE SITUATION. AMERICAN FAITH IN RUSSIA DEMONSTRATED. Received May 20, 5.5 p.m. London, May 19. "he Times views the Russian situation optimistically, and urges the Empire to show a patient confidence in the Russian people's determination to be faithful to the Allied cause, and work their own salvation in their ow.i way, as present auguries favor th'l3 being accomplished, The American loan is a striking proof of American belief that Russia will weather the storm. ■ A SECET TREATY REVEALED. BETWEEN CZAR AND KAISER. Received May 20, 5.6 p.m. Paris, May 19. Lc Matin quotes from the Russ Kojislovo a revelation made by Count Wittc to a journalist at the beginning of the war, showing that the Czar made a secret offensive and defensive treaty with the Kaiser when France was embroiled in the Moroccan affair. Count Witte declares he secured the abrogation of the treaty because it was not Bigned by the Foreign Ministers or the respective countries. A DISMAL VIEW. INEPTITUDE AND DISINTEGRATION London, May 18. The Daily Express' Petrograd correspondent states that it appears as though only some dramatic stroke stamped with the vigorous personality of one man can save Russia from the disease of ineptitude and disintegration which is overtaking her and threatening any moment to make the Russian Empire a mere episode in the annals of the past. Russia is at death's door. The agitation for the publication of Russia's secret treaties is peculiarly significant in view of the Ministerial crisis.| M. Peaknoff, in a speech in the Duma, said if the Government publishes the secret treaties it will destroy Russia's obligation to her Allies, and evoke their enmity, and we may find ourselves allied against our present Allies.

A DOUBTFUL COMPROMISE. Petrograd, May 18. Annexations and indemnities continue to be a vexed question and culminated in Wednesday's negotiations between the Government and the Council. The former suggested a formula without an aggressive policy or punitive contribution. The Government hoped thereby that Russia would hold her own views as to war aims, leaving the Allies to formulate their, qwb taring,

CABINET RECONSTITUTED. POSITION IMPROVING. Received- 'May 1!>, 8 p.m. •I'ctrograd, May 18. The Cabinet lias boon reconstituted, and now includes six Socialists. Generals Alexieff, Biusiloil', Gurko, Dragomiroff, and Scherbatscheff attended several conference with the Government on the question of munitions supplies. It is announced that the position is improving. it is understood General BrusJlOfY and General Gurko have withdrawn their resignations. "' '■v^*-**"""' FAITH IN COALITION MINISTRY. Potrogrnd, May 18. Generals Alexieff, Bragomiroff, Gurko and Brussiloff declare that the Coalition Ministry will restore discipline in the army, which is enthusiastic over the appointment of M. Kerenskl as Minister of war. RUSSIAN SUCCESSES. London, May 18. A Russian official message sit : Wo repulsed a dense attack in the direction of Vladimir Volynßk, in the region of Shelvov; also a Turkish attack in the direction of Ognot on the rear of our troops. In the direction of the Klianikin the Khurds are attacking posts, tearing up graves, and mutilating the dead.