RUSSIA.

Taranaki Daily News, 20 July 1917, Page 5

RUSSIA.

DEMONSTRATION IN PETROGRAD. A PROTEST AGAINST DISBANDMENT. GOVERNMENT AND WORKMEN'S COMMITTEE IN HARMONY. FEARS OF A STRIKE. Petrograd, July 18. The demonstration began ia the' afternoon. Motor lorries bristling with ma-<;hine-gun9 and manned by Maximalist agitators paraded the streets. The population at first kept indoors, but later emerged and watched the demonstration with curiosity. Some regiments, yielding to the persuasion of the Maximalists, left barracks in the evening carrying arms, contrary to orders. One regiment marched to the Ncvsky Prospect, evidently going to the Duma; but suddenly shots were fired, and the regiment and population bolted to cover, whence the soldiers began a wild fusilado until their magazines were emptied. They abandoned the march to the Duma and returned quietly to barracks. In twenty minutes the city wore its customary aspect. Meantime four motor lorries filled with unned soldiers, sailors, and Maximalists, dashed to the Warsaw station, intending to prevent M. Kerensky going to the front, but found he had already departed. Another party seized the offices of the Novoe Vrejuya and compelled the compositors to type a proclamation calling on the peop'o to appear in the streets armed and demand the overthrow of tha Provisional Government, the seizure of land, factories, and other sources of production. The Ministry is discussing the question of reorganisation, and the executive of the All Russia and Soldiers' and Workmen's Committees is considering the situation.

Masses of workers stood all night round tl"> building. The executive and the Government are collaborating to tran<]uillisi> the crowds and endeavoring to prevent anned action. The military anti-Government demonstration on Monday night was provoked by tho extremists as a protest against the diabandment of the mutinous regiments at the front. It en<led in wild, panicky shooting, which called a nunv her of' casualties, a dozen being, taken to hospital. Tiie disturbance ended in a few minutes, and the troops returned quietly to barracks. The executive of the Soldiers' and tho Peasants' delegates denounced the demonstrators as traitors. A manifesto threatens the strongest measures against the troops for appearing in the streets armed, contrary to orders, and a proclamation from the Provisional Government prohibits all demonstrations. Only a section of the garrison participated. The political situation is disturbed and the Executive Council is discussing the reorganisation of the Government. It is believed that M. Thertells will become Premier. The proletariat in Petrograd is hostile to the Government and distrusts the executive of Ac Soldiers and Workmen. It is feared that an extensive strike is imminent. The workmen from the Putiloff works stood all night outside the Tsturian Palace. The Government lias taken measures to prevent bloodshed.

THE KRONSTADT TROUBLE. DECISIVE FIGHTING IMMINENT. United Service. Reecived July 19, 11.20 pan. London, July 19. Thousands of Kronstadters are terrorising Petrograd. There is much mixed fighting. Decisive fighting between local troops and mutineers is imminent. One hundred were -wounded and a number killed on Wednesday.

ON THE RICA FRONT. HEAVY ENEMY ATTACKS REPULSED. Received July 19, 11.50 p.m. Washington, July 19. The Russian Embassy states it has received a cable intimating that heavy German attacks at Riga were repulsed with great Teuton losses. RUSSIANS REGAIN LOST HEIGHT. Received July 19, 5.50 p.m. London, July 18. A wireless Russian official report states: There has been intense enemy artUlerying in the region of Potatory, Houihward of Breezany,' anduear Hahcz. The enemy strongly attacked southward of Novica and occupied a height, but our counter-attack re-occupied the height. EFFECT OF CABINET CHANGES. Received July 19, ■&& P m - Petrograd, July 18. M. Kerensky describes the retirement of the CaMnet Ministers as a Mow in the back for free Russia, menacing the success of General Brusiloff'a offensive.