RUSSIA.

Taranaki Daily News, 5 June 1917, Page 5

RUSSIA.

SITUATION CHAOTIC.

COSSACKS WILL ASSIST TO UTMOST (United Service). Petrograd, June 3. The chaotic industrial upheaval is causing widespread labor troubles. Workers are generally demanding six hours' work daily and many factories are closing. The food situation is serious. All .night there are bread queues. The Government has ordered only black and brown bread to he baked and reduced the sugar allowance to half a pound monthly. Special measures are being taken to avert a financial crisis. The State Bank is issuing 200 million sterling m aank notes to counterbalance the comparative failure.of the recent loan. The disorganisation in Petrograd reveals that plots and counter-plots are unhindered. There are armed processions of anarchists ami extremists in the main street inciting the populace to defy the constituted authority. M. Konovaliff, Minister of Commerce, speaking after his resignation, "at the Congress of War Industries, Mobcow, said the anti-State tendencies were leading Russia from gigantic strikes to a catastrophe. The General Council of Cossack Forceß sent an address to the Government assuring it that the Cossacks would assist any offensive to their utmost in the conviction that peace -was only procurable by force of arms. The council denies that Cossacks have deserted or fraternised with the enemy. It regrets that they are scattered along the whole front tnd not grouped together so as to be able to

strike a powerful blow. 1 PETROGRAO'S NEW COVER- * NOR. i: GETS PROMPTLY TO WORK. v t Received Juno 5, 1 a.m. a Petrograd, June 4. General Polovthoff, the new governor of Petrograd, has arrived, *and inaugurated his command by visiting the Sol- > diers' and Workmen's Council. He is a friend of Britain. He 13 elaborating a scheme for a soldiers' advisory board to 4 ensure the execution of orders. A COUNTRY DIVIDED. d t CONTRADICTORY REPORTS. " v a Received Juno 5, 1.15 a.m. n London, June 4. c The Daily News' Petrograd correspondent states that information xegarding the army is of the most contradictory nature. Discipline in General Dragomiroff's army in the north has . been re-established, bub the position in tho southern sectors, especially in Roumania, i 9 causing anxiety. Some of the corps at the middle front are in an excellent condition, being ready for and capable of advancing. ' The Socialist extremists at 'Petrograd are asking what tho Coalition Govern- ' ment had done towards peace. Processions of anarchists and armed . sailors are seen in the streets bearing . a black banner inscribed: "Long' live the Commune 1 Down with the Uovern- i mentl" , The difficulties in the provinces are , even greater. The extremists at Kieff, t armed with machine-guns, seized the j lower town. Bessarabia is the stronghold of the monarchists, and the peasants here are committing many excesses and seizing private lands. MR. HENDERSON'S MISSION. TO SERVE RUSSO-BRITISH DEMOCRACIES. Received June 4, 8 .p.m. Petrograd, Juno 3. Mr. Henderson, in an interview with tho Novoe Vremya, said he had come to serve the common interests of the Russian and British democracies, the aims of which were identical. "We are," he said, "defending the cause of right, truth, and liberty against militarism. Our aim is a rapid but durable peace." RUSSIAN SUCCESSES. London, June 3. A Russian official message says: We heavily repelled five hundred Kurds attacking south-eastward of Frzingan. We occupied, after a battle, three Turkish heights'in the region of Sakki?.. Turkish attacks in the rear of our army continue. OFFICERS PUT POSITION PLAINLY. i »v * Petrograd, June 3. A meeting of delegates of army and navy officers resolved that any delay in restoring the combatant power of the army and fleet was equivalent to \ tho ruin 'of Russia and treachery towards '' her faithful allies. . REPORTED ARREST OF GRAND DUKE NICHOLAS. Copenhagen, June 3. ' It is Teported that the Grand Duke ; Nicholas has been arrested owing to the 1 Royalist riots at Tiflis.