RUSSIA.

Taranaki Daily News, 7 June 1917, Page 5

RUSSIA.

JAPAN MAY TAKE A HAND. IF RUSSIA GIVES IN. Received June 6, 11.20 p.m. New York, Juns 6. The Times' Washington correspondent learns that Japan lias informed. the Russian Government that if it withdraws from the fight, Japan, in consultation with Britain, will consider what meas- ■ ures she will take. She is determined '. to stand'by the Allies until Germany is defeated, and warns Russia that .by making a separate peace Russia would become helpless under German domination. Anglo-Japanese diplomats in Petrograd believed, indeed were convinced, thai the Provisional Government would i stand fast, but the danger lies in the ignorant masses, who are clamoring for bread and ready for plunder and anarchy. Japan does not claim interest in Europe, i but realises that Russia's decision will affect the situation in the Orient. THE LIBERTY LOAN. A COMPARATIVE FAILURE. Received June 6, 11.20 p.m. London, June 6. Petrograd subscriptions for the liberty loan total a milliard roubles (about £100,000,000). The Daily Telegraph's Petrograd cor- : respondent opines that the loan is a comparative failure, forcing the Government to make a huge issue of banknotes. The working classes charge the capitalists with not supporting the loan. The country will thus be forced to use paper money, with the result that the rouble will fall still lower and the cost Df living rise higher. Th"e workers will Tie forced to make still higher demands. The official organ of the Workers' and Soldiers' Delegates demands that the Treasury shall take excess profits and heavily tax incomes and property. Meanwhile the enthusiasm aroused by M. Kerensky's speeches at the fighting fronts is growing in intensity. RUSSIAN SUCCESSES. London, June 5. A Russian official says:— There is intense enemy artillery activity in the region of Krevo. Kurds who were attempting to attack southward of Erzingan were beaten off. We occupied Rovansir, north-west of Kennanshah, the Kurds recreating to Djevanrud. REVOLUTIONARY METHODS. • Petrograd, June 5. Six thousand clerks in clothing stores have been granted double wages, the increases to be retrospective to tho beginning of the war. Some clerks receive £IOOO in back pay. Forty per cent, of the storekeepers are unable to comply with the demands and have closed their premises. The cruiser Alexander 11. has been made the capital of the island of Kronstadt and all meetings of the Provisional Government of the port are' held on board. Petrograd, June 5. The so-called Republic at Kronstadt maintains its independence and has issued a defiance to Russia. The commissaire representing the Government has left the island, which is entirely in the hands of the revolutionary troops.