The Watertown news. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1917-1919, 1917-09-12
BIG BATTLE FOR
PETROGRAD ON
Rebels Under k0rniI0ff Clash With
Kerensky's Troops-Scvin-
koff in Command.
BALTIC SQUADRON is LOYAL
Entire Cabinet Resigns in Order to
Give Premier Full Liberty of Ac-
tion-Position of Provisional
Government Is PeriIous.

Government Is PeriIous.
Petrograd, Sept. 12.-General Kor-
niloff's march toward Petrograd con-
tinues. According TO statement cir
culated at the Winter palace and
which is repeated in the newspapers,
but which has not been officially con-
firmed or denied, the first collision be-
tween the troops and the government
forces already has taken place, the
followers of Korniloff having begun
the hostilities by bombarding govern
ment positions with heavy guns. A
further report Is to the effect that at
ten o'clock at night two columns
of Korniloff's troops entered Gatchina,
80 miles from Petrograd, without op-
position, and that other forces are
moving on Tosno with the aim of cut
ting the Petrograd railroad. 1t is
stated that former Minister of War
Savinoff intends to command the gov
ernment troops.
Petrograd, Sept 12.-With General
Korniloff's 'sikaya" (savage) division
only about SO miles from the capital,
the split in Russia becomes hourly
more acute.
The elements opposed to Premier
Kerensky are receiving adherents
who make the position of the pro-
visional government decidedly pre-
carious.
General Deinkine, commander Of
the armies on the northwestern front,
has informed the prime minister that
he will support Korniloff in his eff
forts to obtain the dictatorship of
Muscovy, as had General Kaledines.
Threatens Isolation.
The latter, who is ataman of the
Don Cossacks, declares that unless M.
Kerensby gives way to Korniloff and
turns over to the generalissimo full
power the Cossacks will cut the Mos
COW railway and isolate Petrograd
Kaledines has been infuriated with
KerenSky since the recent national
conference at Moscow. At this con-
gress the Don Cossacks were de-
prived of their special laws and priv
neges, which action automatically re-
duced Kaledines from a general to a
private soldier.
Alexander T. Guchkoff, the Octo-
berist leader, who formerly held the
positions of president of the duma,
chief of the munitions bureau and
minister of war and navy ad interim,
has also gone over to Korniloff and
has left for the Russian field head
quarters.
Baltic Fleet Loyal.
On the other hand, the Baltic fleet,
with its staff officers, has placed
itself by unanimous vote at the dis
posal of the Kerensl1y cabinet.
This action was taken after the
commander of the Baltic station, in
an order of the day, urged the fleet
TO watch the enemy, to avoid discus
sion and to submit to the orders Of
the provisional government.
General Verkhovsky, in command
at Moscow, is expected to remain
loyal, as he recently turned down an
appeal from Korniloff, accompanied
by threat of arrest, to join the anti
government movement.
Battle at Luga.
While Korniloff's "Sikaya" division,
which was formerly stationed at Pskoh
Caucasus tribesmen. is reported to
have occupied Writza, or Little Wy
rayn, on the Petrograd-Ryb ybinsk rail-
way, "a versts (36 miles) from Petro-
grad, the first battle for supremacy is
expected to take place at Luga, about
so miles from the capital
Indeed, it may already be raging,
though no report that an armed clash
has occurred has been given out.
A Kornilof force has reached the
place, and 1t is believed that the gar
rison will stand firmly by the govern
ment Re-enfOrcements are being
rushed from the capital.
One of korniloff's detachments Is
said to be advancing from the Narva.
Both sides are still organizing and ap-
pealing for support.
Premier Kerensky is having difficult
ties within the capital from the ex-
tremists of both sides. Following the
ultimatum of Korniloff the whole
Russian cabinet resigned In order to
give Premier Kerensky full liberty of
action. All the ministers for the time
being will remain in their offices.
Seizes Commissioner.
Korniloffs in addition to refusing to
abandon his command, ordered the ar
rest Of NJ. Philoninko. the government
commissioner.
The provisional government, besides
arresting Vladimir n. Lvoff. who
brought Korniloff's ultimatum to the
provisional government took into Gus
tody 80 other persons.
Trouble for the Kerensky govern
ment is threatened by the MaximU-