RUSSIA.

Taranaki Daily News, 26 June 1917, Page 5

RUSSIA.

WILL THE STORM BE WEATHERED? CONFLICTING ELEMENTS. ■WOMEN SHOW THE WAY TO DUTY. Received June 25, 8.15 p.m. . Londpn, June 24. The Morning Post's Petrograd correspondent, in a despatch dated June 22, says that tKngg are steadilv going from vl? rse ' Leninites denounce the Coalition Government as useless, and demand a wholly Socialist Ministry. To outsiders it seems that the Government, by following the policy of non-resistance to evil, is'establishing a class warfare throughout Russia., The situation is undoubtedly serious. A Minister correctly' described Russia as a, patient in a hij,h fever, and it depended ori tli(» toughness of the country's constitut nji whether it survived or not. The. Dur vo anarchists continue to refuse to acuate the villa, and threaten to blow it up if the Government attempts to expel them. The marvellous patienoe of the great mass of the Russian people alone makes it possible for the country to weather the storm. It is noteworthy that, despite the universal demand for land nationalisation and the expropriation of all private lands,,the Jem are rapidly buying land throughout Russia. The idea of an energetic State interference is coming to the foreground as the only solution of the industrial crisis. The Morning Post adds: "The first battalion of women soldiers goes to the front in a fortnight as an object lesson to the peacemongers. Most of the recruits are women and girls belonging to the educated classes. The Amazonian 'Battalions ot Death' have issued an appeal to the nation recalling the fact that every day the army l is idle costs Russia five million sterling.' It describes the pacifists as Juda-ses who are selling Russia to the foe, but they will Boon learn it is better to face ten German bayonets than one tigress mother of Russia. The appeal continues: "You make war without annexations and contributions, yet expect tribute from your own native towns. 'Unless your bayonets overturn Wilhelm's throne you will be cowards and traitors!" OPTIMISTIC AND CONFIDENT. M. THOMAS' 'REPORT OF VISIT. Reuter Service. Received Juno 25 ; 5,6 p.m. Paris, June 24. M. Albert Thomas, French Minister of Munitions, interviewed on his return from Russia, stated that he was optimistic and confident about Russia. The idea of a separate peace might be completely dismissed, as the duality of the Government and the Council of Workmen's and Soldiers' delegates had disappeared. The authority of the Coalition Government was increasing daily, especially in connection ivith the reorganising of the army, which had negotiated a serious and critical time. The necessity for a disciplined army in oTder to preserve and guarantee liberty was now understood by the masses, and there was a widely growing belief that military defence would be more effective by acting on tbe offensive. He foinid material and moral reasons for the possibility of an offensive, although he would not declare the date at which it would take place. The Roumanian army would do wonders immediately Russia gave the signal. A COMPLETE FIASCO. AN INTENDING MILITARY DEMONSTRATION. Reuter Service. Received June 25, 8 p.m. Petrograd, June 25. The Maximalist plans were" a complete fiasco. Neither workmen nor soldiers rallied fco their call. The military commandant at Petrograd and the president of the Soldiers' and Workmen's Council dissuaded the intending military demonstrators,' counteracting the aigitation among factory hands. ANARCHISTS HOSTILE TO GOVERNMENT. Petrograd, June 24. The Dournarvo incident is likely to prove a crucial test whether the Government is able to master the growing anarchy. The anarchists continue to hold out in Admiral Dournarvo's house. They toll pressmen they were supported by fIOOO armed people, militia machine-gun companies, and also ■several infantry units. At a meeting of troops on Thursday it was, resolved to organise armed demonstrations against the Government and toplacard the with posters declaring the Government was supporting the imperialists ajid capitalists, who were Tesponeiblo for .tie continuance of the war and the famine, and inviting soldiors and workipen to appear in the streets with the watchwords: "Down with the Duma; d<>wn with the ten boiirgeoise Ministers; down with the war: 1 We want bread, jpeace and liberty." Meanwhile the, Government issued placards inviting the population to be calm; and stating that any attempt at violence would be vigorously suppressed. Petrograd, June 24.

A manifesto to the people of Petrograd apropos "the anarchist outbreak at Koumarvo's house, signed by the AllRussia Conference of Workmen and Soldiers, the All-Russia Peasants' Conference, and ail the Socialist parties except the extremists, says that the extremists in the Vivorg quarter are calling the people into the streets without the signatories' aesent, and points out that the action of the extremists at the present distressing juncture may harm the work of the revolution. "You are called into the streets in order to assist in deposing the Provisional Government, the support of which we consider essential. Bloody disorders may arise from peace demonstrations," continues the manifesto, which also urges the people to beware of counter revolutionaries, who are waiting for an opportunity to crush the revolution. It appeals to the people in the name of the active army to avoid the streets and abjure demonstrations.