RUSSIA.

Taranaki Daily News, 14 November 1917, Page 5

RUSSIA.

POSITION STILL OBSCURE. NEWS MESSAGES INTERRUPTED. MAXIMALISTS RETREATING IN DISORDER. ' PROVISIONAL GOVERNMENT REESTABLISHED. Received Nov. 14, 12.10 a.m. London. Nov. 13. The Russian position remains obscure. News messages are again interrupted. Although Mr. Balfour announced in the House of Commons that lie is in daily telegraphic communication with the Petrograd Ambassador, who remains at his post, he announced nothing to-day regarding the position at the front nor the progress of the crisis in the'capital. Sunday's messages contained M. Kerensky's to the armies stating that Tl'e remains Prime Minister and Commander-in-Chief, having arrived at the head of the troops who remianed faithful, Other dispatches declare that the Maximalists are retreating in disorder before Kerensky, also that the Maximalists at Moscow were defeated, with 700 casualties.

The Daily Chronicle learns that Ramsay McDonald, on Monday, received a telegram from M. Kerensky, stating that the Provisional Government had been reestablished. CIVIL WAR IN PROGRESS.

GENERAL RAILWAY STRIKE THREATENED. MOSCOW COMBATANTS COME TO TERMS. Received Nov. 14, 12.10 a.m. Copenhagen, Nov. IS. The reports that no news was received from Petrograd on Monday is regarded as proof that civil war is in full progress.

The Soviet Revolutionary Committee has issued an order to Petrograd shopkeepers to re-open on Monday, also appealing to the workers to abstain from strikes and disorders. It is understood that the Workmen's Council has appointed a sailor GovernorGeneral of Finland, and an engine driver an vice-Governor.

The Railway Union at Petrograd has threatened a general strike, unless conciliation is reached by the appointment of a democratic power, representing all parties. Negotiations are proceeding. The Bolsheviks have dropped the offensive attitude. Army headquarters approve combinations of democratic groups. The combatants at Moscow came to terms on the basis of the creation of a Socialistic Government, including the Bolsheviks. BOLSHEVIKS OUSTED. VANDALISM AT WINTER PALACE. Received Nov. 13, 8.30 p.m. London, 'Nov. 12. The Daily Chronicle's Petrograd correspondent states that the .Bolsheviks no longer master the situation. They are hampered by insufficient reliable men, important posts being entrusted to youths with ludicrous results. The garrison contains many who are anxious | for peace, consequently there is much dissension. On the other hand the sailors are willing, on the whole, to continue .the struggle against the Provisional Government. Some thousands marched to Petrograd to defend the Bolsheviks. The latter'* military adherents arrested hundreds of the women soldiers at the Winter Palace and handed them over to the licentious treatment of drunken soldiers at various barracks.

j An inspection of the Winter Palace showed that wanton damage had been committed by the Bolsheviks. The floors were ankle deep in the Provisional Government's correspondence; cupboards and drawers had been forced, pictures slashed, and the ex-Czar's cabinet wrecked, but, luckily, the Provisional Government had safely stored the principal art treasures in the cellars.

KERENSKY'S PROCLAMATION

TROOPS URGED TO RETURN TO DUTY. Times Service. (Received Nov. 13, 8.30 p.m. London, Nov. 12. Kerensky has issued a proclamation, in which he appeals to the troops, w.lio joined the traitors under a misunderstanding or force, to return to fulfil their duties to the Fatherland. A FRESH REVOLT FORECASTED. Washington, Nov. 12. It is still believed that the Russians will adjust their troubles and re-enter the war as a potent factor. State Department advices from Petrograd state that the uprising will apparently be short-lived. It was learned several .days ago that the upheaval in Petrograd has stimulated a religious movement, designed to save Russia. Five hundred thousand soldiers and their commanders have joined, pledging their support to Kerensky. The movement is small but is growing.

Mr. Robert C. Long, an authority on Russian affairs, who has arrived from Petrograd, emphasises that the Bolsheviki do not deßire a separate peace. There Is no separate peace party in Russia. The Bolsheviki are doomed to fall and a fresh revolt similar to that of General Ivorniloff appears inevitable.