RUSSIA.

Taranaki Daily News, 15 November 1917, Page 5

RUSSIA.

SITUATION WORSE. GOVERNMENT LACK FORCES, MASSACRES BY BOLSHEVIKI. I CADETS TORN TO PIECES, i London, Nov. 13. Tlio Daily Chronicle's PetrogTad correspondent, oummarising tlie position on Monday, says that the Provisional Government, lacks suflkienl, forces to maintain office and the Bolshevik! lack sufficient to exert authority. Both sides are awaiting reinforcements. Tho Bolshevik) on Sunday beseiged and captured four military training Bchools and a telephone exchange. The Rolshoviki had previously annod thousands of young undisciplined factory workers, who formed the so-called Red Guards who arc capable of any atrocities. They massacred bafvfces of cadets with the utmost brutality.' Three cadets were trampled to death during tho battie for tho telephone exchange and the bodies left in the street.

The crowds at the capture of one of the Bchools, where the defenders had used all their ammunition, shouted "chop lli"m up" and frenzied sailors tore the cadets to pieces.

ltiflo fire is heard everywhere in the city. An armored car containing tin inexperienced Bolsheviki crew plunged Headlong into the river. Guns were used against the cadets who defended themselves for seven hours and when a larger gun broke the walls the survivors narrowly escaped lynching. Many were thrown into the river. There were 800 casualties on Sunday. The situation is becoming worss and street fighting will inevitably increase. Kerensky with troops and artillery is reported to have reached the outskirts of the city. Additional troops for Kerensky are reported to be upon the Finland railway, thus troops are approaching the capital from two nides. A Stockholm message states that Kerensky's proclamation was issued at Gatehina, where the Bolsheviki were engaged in a battle with the troops from the front. There wad great blood-shed nnd the contest ended in the defeat of the Bolsheviki. The Russian troops on the west front Eent a message of loyalty to Kerensky.

CONFLICTING NEWS.

BOTH SIDES CLAIM VICTORY. London, Nov. 13. Ali exchange telegram from a Haparanda correspondent says that after severe fighting Kerensky bas triumphed and all the arrested Cabinet Ministers, except two, have been liberated. The troops in Petrograd are now siding with Kerensky. Stockholm advices state that Kerensky controls part of Petrograd, especially the Nevski Prospect!. The Bolsheviki are taking refuge in the Smolny Institute. A report is current that Lenin has been captured. A wireless Russian communique states: After bitter fighting yesterday near T-sarkoe Relo the revolutionary army completely defeated the counter-revolu-tionaiT forces of Kerensky and KorniJorf.

REBEL LEADERS' PROCLAMATION.

"WE ARE TAKING THE OFFENSIVE." WILL OF DEMOCRACY ENFORCED BY ARM 9. A. and N.Z. Cable Assn. and Renter. Nov. 14, 5.5 p.m. London, Nov. 13. A wireless Russian report states: Mouravieff, who is commanding the an-ti-Kerensky forces, after announcing the latter's defeat, gave orders to ensure the capture of Kerensky. but forbids similar adventures, which are endangering the revolution. Trotsky has issued a proclamation as follows: 'History will record the night of November 12, when Kerensky's attempted move to counter the revolutionary forces against capital received a decisive reply. Kerensky is retiring. We are talcing the offensive. The sailors, boldiers, and workmen of Petrograd know how to impose, and will impose with their arms, the will and power of the democracy. The bourgeoisie endeavored to separate the army from the revolution. Kerensky attempted to break it by the violence of Cossackdom, but both I efforts failed.

A TRIUMVIRATE.

KERENSKY, lULEDIN, AND KORNILOFF. Received Nov. 14, 5.5 p.m. Copenhagen, Nov. 13. It ia reported that M. Kerensky, General Kaledin, and General Korniloff have formed a triumvirate,

SITUATION STILL IN DOUBT.

NO NEWS FROM PROVINCES. ALL NOT YET OVER. Renter Service. Received Nov. 14, 5.5 p.m. London, Nov. 13. The sensational Russian wireless ram'munication constitutes the only news hitherto received of yesterday's fighting nt Petrograd, and nettles all doubts as to who controls the capital, at least temporarily. No news has been received I from the provinces. The fact that I neither Korniloff nor Kerensky were captured indicates that all is not yet over.