THE RUSSIAN SITUATION.

Press, Volume LIII, Issue 15931, 19 June 1917, Page 8

THE RUSSIAN SITUATION.

GERMANY'S PEACE PROPOSALS.

ENEMY'S MOVE FAILS,

(By Cable—Press Association —Copyright.) ("Router's Telegrams.) PETROGRAD, June 17. M. Hofmann requested the Swiss Minister to communicate Geimany's offer of peace through M. Robert Grimm, a Swiss citizen, who came to Petrograd in the middle of May, ostensibly acting as a guide for returning Russian refugees. It is now announced that tho Provisional Government ordered tho expulsion of Grimm, because it has evidence that ho is a pacifist and a German agent. Grimm has already left Russia. The Duma adopted a resolution that a separate peace and the prolonged inactivity of the fronts would be ignoble treason to tho Allies.

The maintenance of Russia's safety and liberties depended on the immediate resumption of the offensive. The General Congress of the Council of Workmen's and Soldiers' Delegates has opened. M. Cheidze, president of the Petrograd Council was elected President. The Council approved of,, the expulsion of Grimm by 640 votes to 121, being of the opinion that his expulsion was essential in the interests of the Russian revolution and of international Socialism. AUSTRIAN SPIES ARRESTED. (Australian and X.Z. Cable Association.) AMSTERDAM. June 17. Austrian officers and privates who visited the Russian lines at Yegopol, on the south-west front, as parliamentaires, have been arrested. They proved to be members of the Austrian Espionage Bureau.

SOCIALISTS AND PEACE. EXTREMISTS' ATTITUDE MODIFIED. (Received June 18th, 6.40 p.m.) LONDON, Juno 18. The "Daily Chronicle's" Petrograd correspondent states that a chango of tone is observable in the Council of Workmen's letter to M. Van der Velde and 51. Thomas on tho proposed International. Socialist Peace Conference. Tho Council, he says, becomes less doctrinhirc as it comes to .grips with facts, and especially internal affairs, concerning which it • supports the Government. There aro indications of a similar change in the Council's attitudo regarding international 'affairs, and the Council now expresses sympathy with Poland, Belgium and Serbia, and acknowledges their right to compensation.