RUSSIA.

Taranaki Daily News, 23 October 1917, Page 5

RUSSIA.

OPENING OF PARLIAMENT.

PREMIER'S APPEAL. TO RESTORE ARMY. Petrograd, Oct. 21. The preliminary Parliament has opened and was attended by representatives of the Bourgeois Democrats, members of the Government, and allied and neutral diplomats. M. Kerensby, in 'his speech, urged the Government and Parliament to grapple with the difficult problem of restoring the combativcncss of the army and enable it to repulse the enemy, who was becoming more violent and triumphant, not owing to his own strength but t 0 Russian impotence. Russia, if willing, could emerge from the painful situation much sooner than her enemies •thought. M. AvkentielT, president of the peasants' delegation, was elected president of the gathering.

PETROGRAD SAFE THIS WINTER.

ALL 'DEPENDS ON RUSSIAN DEFENC" Received October 22, 5.5 p.m. Washington, Oct. 21. The Russian Embassy declares the Germans cannot take Petrograd this winter, and would never take it should Russian soldiers offer the slightest defence. It is considered that the rumor as to the Government moving to Moscow will permit of the carrying out of a constructive programme, eliminating the Bolsheviki influence.

THE BALTIC ISLES. A RUSSIAN STATEMENT. Received Oct. 23, 12.15 a.m. Petrograd, Oct. 22. A Russian naval communique deals with the general situation in the Baltic Isles, on the 19th, as follows: The islands of Oesel and Moon were definitely in enemy hands. Operations in Dago were hampered by marshes; also because the small garrison was merely defending the coast batteries and the naval base in Moon Sound. The bulk of the warships, tugs, transports, etc.. were transferred in an orderly manner tf> a safer point at, the mouth of the Gulf of Finland, despite enemy opposition.

A FIVE DAYS* BATTLE. GERMANS LOSE EIGHT VESSELS. Received Oct. 23, 1,40 a.m. Petrograd, Oct. The crews of two Russian torpedo boats participating in the fight at Oesel have arrived. They declared that the fighting lasted practically uninterruptedly from the 12th to the 17th, the Germans losing one dreadnought, one cruiser sunk and another wrecked, four torpedo boats sunk and two disabled.

MUNITION WORKS REMOVING. SIGNIFICANT NEWS. Received Oct. 23, 1.40 a.m. 'Petrograd, Oct. 22. The important munition works are removing from Petrograd GENERAL KQRNILOFF. A TRUE PATRIOT. Received Oct. 22, 7.30 p.m. Petrograd, Oct. 21. Published documents relating to the Korniloff affair include a memorandum issued, by General Alexieff when resigning the post of chief of staff, which states the common conviction that General Korniloff did not lift a hand against the State. All he desired was to create a strong and capable working Government. He had no personal aims, being ready to work with anyone who would save the country. This is the basis of widespread sympathy for Gcenral Korniloff. DAGO ISLAND CAPTURED Received Oct. 22, 0.5 p.m ! London, Oet. 22. A wireless German official report states that Dago Island Is in German hands. NO FRATERNISING WITH ENEMY. London. Oct. 21. A wireless Russian official report states: Our troops disregarded the enemy's signals to fraternise at Narotch Lake and Buzeo river. Firing dispersed the signallers. WHAT THE GERMANS SAY. London, Oct. 21. A wireless German official report says: We reached the east coast of Dago Island, penetrating to the interior, and occupied Schildau Island. The Russian naval forces left Moon Sound, proceeding in a northerly direction, and abandoning the Slava and also four grounded vessels.