RUSSIA.

Taranaki Daily News, 19 June 1917, Page 5

RUSSIA.

v::: r r j.-ja favors action. ■J: .TjAcavinsr's expulsion. Eeuter Service. Petrograd, June ,17 ■ Hoffmann, the Swiss Federal Councillor, requested the Swiss Minister to communicate the peace offer through Robert Grimm, a Swiss citizen who came to Petrograil in the middle of May, ostensibly acting as guide to returning Russian refugees. It is now announced that the Provisional Government ordered the expulsion of Grimm because there was evidence that lie was a Pacificist German agent. Grimm has already left Russia. The Duma adopted a resolution that a separate peace and prolonged inactivity on the fronts would be ignoble treason to the Allies. The maintenance of Russia's safety and liberties depended 011 the immediate resumption of the offensive. The General Congress of the Council of Workmen's and Soldiers' Delegates has opened. Cleidge, president of the Petrograd Council, has been elected president The congress approved the expulsion of Grimm by 640 to 121 votes, opining that the expulsion was essential in the interests of the Russian revolution and international socialism. SUGGESTED ALLIES' CONFERENCE. TO ABROGATE "NO SEPARATE PEACE" AGREEMENT. Received June 18, 5.-5 p.m. Petrograd, June 17. The Provisional Government has published a note suggesting an Allied conference, with the object of revising the war aim agreement and excludi ngthe London agreement, the signatories to which agreed not to conclude a separate peace. CHANGE IN TONE. WORKMEN GRIPPING THE FACTS. Received June 18, O.fi p.m. London, June 17. The Daily Chronicle's Petrograd correspondent stated that a change in tone is observed in the Council of Workmen's letter to M.M. Van der Volde and Thomas on the proposed international Socialist peace conference. The council becomes less doctrinaire as it comes to grip with facts, especially with internal affairs, whereon it supports the Government. There are indications of a similar change regarding international affairs. The council now expresses sympathy with Poland, Belgium and Serbia, and their right to compensation. CLUMSY AUSTRIAN SPIES. Amsterdam, June 17. Austrian officers and privates who visited the Russian lines at Yegopol on the south-west front as Parliamentalres were arrested and proved' to be members of the Austrian espionage bureau.