LENIN AND TROTZKY ACCEPT PEACE TERMS.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIX, Issue 49, 26 February 1918, Page 1

LENIN AND TROTZKY ACCEPT PEACE TERMS.

GERMANS' RAPID DASH INTO HEART OF RUSSIA. TKOTZKT STU.T, DREAMTTTG OF GERMAN DEVOLUTION. (Received 10.25 a-m.) STOCKHOLM, February 25. If- Trotzky, Russian Foreign Minister, further interviewed, professed the belief, that the Bolsheviks were still able to carry on the revolution ii a favourable peace proved impossible. "We are not less determined on a class ■K"aiy' he added. ""We know how to make our war cry reach the German masses, despite the Imperialists."—(""Times.") LONDON, February 25. JL Russian official wireless message states that Lenin and Trotzky have sent a message to Berlin conveying Russia's acceptance of the German peace conditions. They are sending a delegation to Brest Litovek. The Petrograd correspondent of the '"Morning Post"' states that the Germans are moving on Petrograd fully fifty miles a day by motor-car dashes, capturing everything and spreading panic eastwards. Specialist troopers are acting as advanced guards, supported by aeroplanes. Small bodies of specialists dash right through the principal towns, often without attracting notice. They then cut the railways, and stop the roads beyond, thus preventing the withdrawal of any war material. Other Germans then follow and secure all booty intact. Their main difficulty is to destroy the hooligan crowds of criminals or wandering soldiers, who Eeize the opportunity, with cries of "Kill the bourgeoisie," to run amok in the townships, pillaging, killing the men. violating the women, and carrying off the girls. The hooligans are all armed. They cause fires, so the Germans shoot them at sight. Owing to the hooligans many 01 the towns welcome the arrival of the Germans. LIGHTNING DRIVES TO CUT RAILWAY. Meanwhile the Lenin Government proclaimed a holy war, and called all men between the ages of 17 and 5o years to defend the country, but practically all the artillery is now captured, and there are enough German prisoners, with officers,, in Petrograd to deal with the extremists when Germany gives the word. The Germans at present are not seeking to reach Petrograd, which would be merely a spectacular feat. They are driving with lightning speed to reach the railways about Bologdi, midway between Petrograd and Moscow. The Grand Duke of Hesse has been appointed commander-in-chief on the Riga section of the German front because his sister, the ex-Empress Alexandra, as guardian of the Czarevitch, is in favour in Germany as a candidate for the Russian throne. It is certain that the ex-Czar Nicholas will not accept the throne from the Germans.— (A. and N.Z. and Reuter.) M. Lenin, in urging the acceptance of- the German peace terms, stated that the retreating and demoralised army has refused to fight. He declines to remain in a Government relying upon mere phrases. The Commissaries of the People have suppressed the anti-vSoviet papers and ordered the managers to continue to pay the wages of the staffs. A wild panic has seized the Seventh and Eleventh Armies, which are retreating in disorder. M. Trotzky. in an interview, declared:—"We have no army. It has been in a. state of rebellion for three months. Crowds have continued to live in the trenches, but they oniy waited the first chance tc escape."'FA3JDEMONIUM OF DECREES AND PROCLAMATIONS. Many non-Bolshevik Socialists are in favour of guerrilla warfare, believing that the proletariat of the Central Powers will yet rise. The Commissaries of the People, however, plead that they must, like defeated strikers, accept the enemy's term? and rescue the country and the revolution from rum end exhaustion. he Commissaries are issuing a pandemonium of decrees, proclamations, and exhortations. At first they state that the Germans intend to restore the landlords, the bankers, and the monarchy,, and call on all the ■workers to enrol in the Red army, and to expel from their ranks and wipe off the face of the earth all hooligans and cowards. Then, an hour later, they announce their readiness to accept the German terms. The perplexed peasants and soldiers are hurrying back to their villages faster than ever, this meaning that a new national force must necessarily be raised from the unemployed, whose increasing numbers, owing to the Bolshevika' policy of closing mills and factories are becoming a serious danger.— ("Times.") The enrolment of volunteers to defend the capital is proceeding rapidly. It is anticipated that .50,000 will be under arms in a few days, besides soldiers w ho desire to right. Special Socialist regiments are being formed from the Esthonian. Lettish, and Mussulman regiments in Petrograd. Many women wish to take up arms against the Germans and the supporters of General Kaledin. The same thing is happening in Kieff, Moscow, and Pskov. An agreement has been reached for the e>"a<:uation of the Aaland Islands by Russian and Finnish troops. A Swedish force has gone to the island to maintain order.— < Reuter.) The Japanese and American Embassiee and Chinese, Siamese, and Brazilian missions left Petrograd on Saturday on their way to Piatka. If necessary they will reside in the interior of Siberia or at Vladivostok. Many centres report the formation of revolutionary .detachments cojnpos&d. of soldiers and civilians.—(A. and N.Z. Cable.)