BOLSHEVIKS DECIDE TO FIGHT AGAIN.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIX, Issue 46, 22 February 1918, Page 5

BOLSHEVIKS DECIDE TO FIGHT AGAIN.

DEMOBILISATION OF THE FORCES TO CEASE. GERMAN OFFENSIVE IN RUSSIA CONTINUES. (Received 10.35 a.m.) • LONDON, February -IThe United Prees Association's Petrograd correspondent says that the authorities have ordered the stoppage of the demobilisation of the Russian army and navy, and hav e also ordered the troops to resist the German advance. Preparations are being made to defend Petrograd. The German offensive continues in the direction of Vitebsk. Molodetchno, and Minsk. It is believed that Reishitcha has already fallen. _ Ruesian headquarters are of opinion that if the northern advance continues the fate of Petrograd will be decided -within a fortnight. Newspaper comments on the Polish outcry suggest that Germany ■welcomes the Austro-Polish embroilment in Austrian and German interests. Poland has always been antagonistic to Germany, and the authorities now Wish to convey the impression in Poland that they are reluctant to. cede Kholm, thus throwing the odium on Austria. Germany at the same time really welcomes the opportunity to develop her eastern schemes beyond the Black Sea. The cession of Kholm would enable her to play the part of Ukraine's friend and ally*Copenhagen advices report that a tumultuous session of the Vienna Reichsrath was held to-day, there being a crowded attendance of member*. The President began reading the Emperor's congratulations on peace with the Vkraine, when the Polish delegates quitted the Chamber singing the Polish National Anthem. The Czechs demanded the cessation of hostilities with Russia, amid great uproar, the Czechs shouting down yon Seidler. The Swedish Premier achieved a triumph in the Riksdag denouncing the proposal to actively intervene in Finland. The debate revealed that the official Conservatives disavow the Activist party. A Berne wireless message says that sinrp thp Bolsheviks' advent in Petrograd all remittances to Switzerland havr been stopped. Hence many •thousands of Russians are destitute. Swiss hotelkeepers and others have allowed them to continue to lodge and board on credit. The Swiss Government now appeals to the Bolsheviks to acknowledge their generous hospitality by a remittance covering the Russians' liabilities aggregating twenty million francs.— (A. and N.Z. Cable.) Baron yon Kuhlmann. referring in the Reichstag to the economic treaty ■with the. Ukraine, said that special arrangements would enable the transportation of huge supplies from the Ukraine, of which Germany would have the advantage in the present year. During the discussion Herr Wostarg, a. Conservative, expressed unmixed joy at peace, and advised the greatest reserve in dealing with Kholm. Kuhlmann, replying to questions, said that representatives of the. Ukraine and Poland had not conferred before the settlement owing to the rapid conclusion of peace. The delegation anticipated that the Poles would gravely question the cession of Kholm. but it was essential to make peace speedily. Controversial questions would only result in uncertainty. Trotzky's opposition to the Rada only arose when he realised that the Rada was conducting an Ukrainian, not a great Russian policy.—(A. and N.Z. Cable.)