RUSSIA.

Taranaki Daily News, 30 June 1917, Page 5

RUSSIA.

OFFENSIVE IN CALICIA. MOKE GERMAN (BOASTING. BRUSILOFPS LARGE AIRiMY. STAVING' OFF INTERNAL CRISIS. United Service. Received June 29, 111 .50 p.m. London, June 29. German reports describe continuous artillery and trench mortar fire in Galicia. The Cologne Gazette admits the Russian offensive is starting despite the mutinies having weakened discipline, adding resignedly: "Let all come. Our eastern wall stands." Tho best informed London opinion estimates t'hat General Brusiloff's is still the largest individual Allied army. The offensive is expected to improve &tr> internal situation, probably postponing a crisis until the winter, when the food, fuel, and financial crisis will be most acute. THE DEATH BATTALIONS. APPLAUDED BY BRUSILOFF. Received June 20, 9 p.m. Petrograd, June 29. Numerous battalions at the front have formed themselves into "death battalions," pledging themselves to fight to the death for the glory of Russia. General Brusiloff in a special order greets the movement as a noble and patriotic step in the face of the enemy at a critical moment of Russia's history, and is proud to add his own name to it. ELECTIONS TO ASSEMBLY FIXED. Received June 29, 8.30 p.m. Petrograd, June 28. The Provisional Government has issued a decree that the elections for the Constituent Assembly will be held on September 30, the Assembly meeting on October 13. RUSSIAN OFFENSIVES. LONDON, June 28. Reuter's correspondent learns that there is reason to believe that the Rus-' sians have begun an offensive at two points. ESCAPE OF GERMAN PRISONERS. Petrograd, June 28. Newspapers state that 3000 German prisoners escaped through Finland a month ago, and the Finns are not assisting in their recapture. INDEPENDENCE OF POLES. New York, June 28. The Times correspondent says the German papers state that the Polish National Party have agreed to demand independence, a national monarchial constitution, and representation at the peace conference,