RUSSIA.

Taranaki Daily News, 25 September 1917, Page 5

RUSSIA.

ENEMY ADVANCE GUARDS. PRESSED BACK BY RUSSIANS. Received Sept. 24, 7.45 pm. London, Sept. 24. Wireles« Russian official: We pressed back the uiemy's advance guards in the direction of Riga. The Roumanians repelled attacks in the direction of liuncheli. ALEXIEFF'S SUCCESSOR. _ Petrograd, Sept. 23. General Doukonthine succetds General Alexieff as Chief of Staff. ! The Gc.crnment has appealed to the ' army to refrain from incivility to officers, the majority of whom are faithful to the republic. RECONSTRUCTION OF CABINET. Received Sept. 24, 11 p.m. Petrograd, Sept. 24. M. Kerensky, who is at headquarters, has instructed Terestchenk'o to undertake the reconstruction of'the Cabinet, which will probably be completed before the meeting of the democratic conference. KORNILOFF AND KERENSKY. The rupture between M. Kerensky and General Korniloff had been apparent since the Moscow conference. Korniloff uune out into the open with definite demands for an improvement in the moral of the army, and for a prompt effort from the nation behind the line*. In commenting upon the controversy which then arose, Mr. Wilton, Times corress pondent, stated: M. Kerensky recently telephoned to General Korniloff, stating that the Government did not desire that he should address the conference. General Korniloff considered that he was bound to tell the country the truth about the army, which the Premier and his colleagues had not disclosed. Opinicli then became distinctly unfavorable to Kerensky. He lost his charm when he failed to speak the whole truth. Just before the congress opened he was driving in the city in the hope that he would enjoy the incense Of popular applause, but he heard ovation" accorded to (**neral Korniloff. He ordered his car to be

diverted so a* not to meet the Generalissimo. General Korniloff, in the midst Bf cheering crowds and flower-throwing women, vent to the Siberian Chapel and prayed before the miraculous ikon of the Virgin. General Korniloff's attitude on arrival at Moscow was that only .physical restraint would prevent him from carrying out the solemn duty, dictated by regard for Russia's Allies and Interests, of telling the whole truth. Should M. Kerensky venture to use force, then another way would 'be found of placing all the facts before the WorhV General Alexieff, as spokesman of tbe Officers' League, was also determined to speak without fear or favor. General Korniloff's train was guarded by a detachment of Knights of St. George and swarthy Turcomans in picturesque garb, wearing curved sabres and enormous sheepskin bonnets. The Generalissimo was greeted by deputations of Knights of St. George, Cossacks and. members of the Duma. Crowds of soldiers and civilians cheered him enthusiastically. M. Kerensky shirked an interview with General Korniloff on the Sunday. Much talk arose about the conflict between Korniloff and Kerensky over the departure of General Sarinkof, Assistant Minister of War. Korniloff insisted that Bavinkof must-remain in charge of the | War Office, in the interests of the army. On the other hand, Kerensky adopted such a tone towards Savinkof that the latter was compelled to resign. Probably these personal disagreements, which are ! closely connected with thi impending I army reforms, resulted from the brusque tendency of Kerensky's speech, and his emphatic announcement that commissaries to the army would in future be appointed by him personally. Subsequent to the congress, which really accomplished very little, in spite of it* great opportunity, M Jfekrasoff, Minister of Finance, admitted that a number of arrests had been made in connection with a fupposed monarchial conspiracy. The names of the persons arrested were not divulged, but the Minister denied tint they were associated with General Korniloff, or the Cos6ackt. M. Nekrasoff added that there was no conflict between General Korniloff and the Cossacks and the Government, but admitted that no progress had been made in carrying General KorniloH's programme into effect. The Extremist elements arc again active in Russian cities, where sabotage : s being practised on a large scale, even in regard to munition works. The Government, said M. Nekrasoff, was rtddy to suppress any disturbance in 'Petrograd, and General Korniloff had taken severe measures on his own initiative to deal iwitli pressing emergencies, including the forcible appro priation of grain within the war zone He was also negotiating with the rail way servant* direct, in order to settlf wages, hours, and grievance*.