RUSSIA.

Taranaki Daily News, 5 September 1917, Page 5

RUSSIA.

RUSSIANS ABANDON RICA. THE ROT CONTINUES. '"" London, Sept. 3. A wireless Russian official message states that the Riga region has been abandoned owing to the threatening situation. Wireless Russian official: Westward of Riga we retired to the line Bildculings-hof-Modem and Dalen in the direction of TTxkull. The enemy penetrated our positions on the Jaegel river, and some of our detachments voluntarily left their positions and retired northwards. We repulsed attacks, inflicting heavy losses, in the direction of Focsaai. GERMAN CONFIRMATION. Received Sept. 4. 11.30 p.m. 1 London, Sept. 4. A German official message states that Riga has been taken. CRAVE CONCERN. THE DANGER TO PETROGRAD. MAY UNITE PARTIES. Received Sept. 4, 7.25 p.m. London, Sept. 3. The decision to abandon Riga was received with the gravest concern by the Anglo-Russian community. It is hoped the danger to Petrcgrad will yet unite all the parties. RAISING THE FIGHTING SPIRIT. Petrograd, Sept. 3. All the armies represented at the j Moscow Congress recommended the appointment of military commissioners to headquarters on every front, in order to raise the fighting spirit and secure democratic reorganisation. also the appointment, under the War Minister's presidency, of a military council for the purpose of enlightening and interesting the whole army in the front and rear! ANARCHY RAMPANT. DEPLORABLE CONDITIONS. ARSON IN PETROGRAD. k Times Service. Received Sept. 5. 12.25 p.m. Petrograd, Sept. 4. Mr. Wilton, the war correspondent, says the extremist elements have regained the upper hand in the Council of Ministers. They are displaying the greatest activity in all the cities of Russia. Repeated acts of arson have occurred at Petrograd. Ka7.au has revealed ominous signn of a recrudescence of the Maximalists' campaign. The Government, anticipates serious disturbances. Armored cars are held in readiness at Petrograd to meet any emergency. The situation as a whole has not improved since the Moscow Conference. The irresponsible forces of anarchy are dominating the Government, and precious time is being wasted by futile bickerings. General Korniloff is constrained to lr.':e personal measures to ensure the supply of food for the army. He is ordering the forcible appropriation of cereals from the peasants. THE COSSACKS. DEPRIVED OF THEIR HISTORIC PRIVILEGES. Petrograd, Sept. 3. It is reported that action has been taken depriving the Don Cossacks of their historic privileges, one result being to make the kallin a simple soldier, though all the Cossack armies are not yet affected. It is feared this action will affect twelve armies belonging to the Cossack League, which was powerfully represented at the Moscow Congress. It has always been staunch to Russia and set an example of devotion during the recent upheavals and stoutly supported General Komiloff's demand;. It is believed the action against Cossacks originated at the Moscow conference, where a section resented the presence of the Cossacks' representatives. The Cossacks' attitude is awaited with intense interest. ENGINE OFF. Petrograd, Sept. 3. The engined.'ivers have abandoned the strike pending negotiations.