New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1917-07-23
RUSSIAN SOLDIERS
in CHAOTIC STATE
Entire Units Desert Before Enemy
Gets Within Gun Range
REFUSE TO OBEY OFFICERS

REFUSE TO OBEY OFFICERS
Merciless Measures Recommended to
Put Down Rebels-Kerensky Given
PIenary Powers - Soldiers and
Workmen Fear Counter Rvolution.
Petrograd, July 22.-The chaotic
conditions prevailing on part of the
Russian front was disclosed In q. tele-
gram sent to Premier Kerensky. the
provisional government and Council
of Workmen and Soldiers Delegates
by the executive committee and the
commissioner of the proovisinal gov
ernment with the Second arrnv. on
the southwestern front. The telegram
announced the inauguration of stern
measures to combat disaffection.
we unanimously recognize that
the situation demands extreme meas
ures and efforts, for everything must
be rlsked to save the revolution from
catastrophe, the message reads. The
commander-in-chief on the western
front and the commanders of the
to fire on, deserters and runaways.
Let the country know the truth.
Let 1t act without mercy Let it find
enough to strike those who by their
cowardice are destroying Russia and
the revolution"
Referring to the threatened dis
turbance, the telegram says: Most
military units are in state of COM
plete disorganization. Their spirit for
the offensive has utterly disappeared.
They no longer listen to orders of
their leaders and they neglect all ex-
hartations Of comrades even reply
ing by threats and shots Some ele-
ments voluntarily evacuate positions
without even waiting for the approach
Of the emmy.
Ceases are on record in which an
order given to proceed with all haste
to such and such g. spot to assist COM
rades in distress have been discussed
for several hours at meetings, and re-
Inducements consequently have been
delayed several hours.
'"These troops abandon their posi-
tions at the first shots of the enemy.
For a distance OF several hundred
versts long files Of deserters, armed
and unarmed, men in good health and
robust, who have lost all shame and
feel they can act altogether with inn
punity, are proceeding to the rear.
Frequently entire units desert in this
manner.
Gerensky Given Unlimited Power.
The Council of Soldiers and Work.
mems Delegates and Peasants of all
Russia voted today after an all night
session, to grant the government of
Premier Kerensky unlimited powers
under the title government of ma
tional safety" for the re-esta ablishment
of public order, both at the front and
at home.
There are indications that the
workmen's and Soldiers council at
ter the events Of the past week and
all circumstances connected there
with are apprehensive- OF counter
revolution. The central committee has
issued a manifesto calling local or
ganization of the revolutionary democ-
racy and army to be ready any NOM
ent to- rally round their political CEN
ters, namely the councils of workmen
and soldiers.
Lieut. Dashkevitch and another
executive committeeman of the Work.
mems and Soldiers Council have been
arrested. Lieut.. Dashkevitch is
charged with inciting the Peterhof
troops to remove the provisional gov
ernment.
Rear Admiral Revealed Secret Orders.
The newspapers announce that Rear
Admiral NerdeerVski commander OF
the Baltic fleet, has been arrested for
communicating a secret government
telegram to sailors committees.
despatch to the Bourse Gazette
from Mini Novgorod relates that on
july II a regiment of troops ordered
disbanded for insubordination mu-
tinted took possession of the town and
were still in control July 20. cadets
sent from Moscow to subdue them
battled with revolvers, resulting IN
casualties to both sides and the sur
render of the mutineers, who, at last
accounts were held prisoners. A par
lev with the commander of the Mos
COW garrison after order has been re-
stored resulted in an agreement to
surrender control.
Would-Be Assassins Lynched.
Three occupants Of a motor car
dressed as sailors and soldiers shot at
a. group of officers and soldiers on the
steps of the Peoples Palace. TWO SOL
diers were wounded at the first shots
from the revolvers of the assallants.
The guard Of so soldiers rushed from
the building and fired on three men
who attempted to escape but VINO were
lynched by the crowd. Fifteen civil
ians were wounded in the firing, some.
seriously.
The disarming Of workmen, includ-
ing the so-called Red Guards, is pro-
ceeding Systematically in the Nasslly
Island and Viborg quarters. More than
100 rifles and revolvers and some ma
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