THE RUSSIAN SITUATION.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16113, 18 January 1918, Page 7

THE RUSSIAN SITUATION.

PEACE CONFERENCE. A DEADLOCK REACHED. (By Cable. —Press Association.—Copyright.) (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) (Received January 17th. 7.50 p.m.) ROME, January Hi. Swiss advices confirm tho gravity of the difficulties in Berlin regarding tho Brest Litovsk proceedings. The latter have reached a deadlock, owing to tho Russian stubbornness iu demanding a constitution for Poland. Consultations iu Berlin havo raised tho question of the necessity of a military demonstration to bring tho Russian delegates to terms, oven to the extent of threatening tho occupation of l'etrograd and Moscow. DISTORTED GERMAN REPORTS. (Router's Telegrams.) (Received January 17th, 7.50 p.m.) PETROGRAD, January 1(3. It is officially declared that the German version of tho peace pourparlers distorts their real meaning. Herr von Kuhlmann said that the German Government reserved tho right to delete everything tending to excite th,c German masses. BRITAIN'S ATTITUDE DEFINED. (Received January 17th, 7.50 p.m.) LONDON, January 15. In tho House of Commons, replying to a question enquiring ag to our attitude towards tho Bolshevik Government, Mr Balfour (Foreign Minister) said that Britain did not recognise the present administration in P,'ctrograd as de facto or do juro tb,o Government of the Russian people. We were carrying on the necessary business with that administration in an unofficiall manner through an agent attached to tho Embassy. We were establishing similar unofficial relations with Citizen Litvinoff, whom the Bolsheviks had appointed Russian representative in London. These arrangements were irregular, but were the best suited to the circumstances. Wo had instructed the Con-sul-General in Helsingfors to enter into relations with the do facto authorities th«re. RUSSIA THREATENS ROUMANIA. (Received Jauuarv 17th, 7.50 p.m.) PETROGRAD, January 16. Representatives of the Allies strongly protested to M. Lenin against tho arrest of the Roumanian Legation, and demanded their release. The Roumanian Minister and a few other Roumanians were released on Tuesday afternoon. ' Tho Russian Government accuses Roumania of liostilp acts to Russian troops, also the arresting a committee of a Russian regiment and Austrian officers who wore visiting their regiment. Tho Russian Government has sent an ultimatum to Roumania demanding tbeir release, punishment of the authorities concerned, and a guarantee against tho repetition of such acts. Failing a reply within 2d hours Russia will break off relations and take energetic military measures. CZARITZA SAID TO BE INSANE. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) (Received January 17th, 7.50 p.m.) AMSTERDAM, January 16. German newspapers state that the Czaritza is hopelessly insane, and is confined to a santatorium in Tobolsk. ARMY PERISHING THROUGH FAMINE. (By Cable.—Pres3 Association.—Copyright.) (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) (Router's Telegrams.) LONDON, January 16. A Russian wireless appeal to all says: — •'lmmediate help is necessary. The Army is perishing of famine. Provisioning has ceased, and several regiments are without bread, and tho horses are without fodder. "Every citizen of Russia, do your duty and work." The appeal directs the Council of Soviets to do everything necessary, .even to making work compulsory, to ensure the feeding of the armies. It says that attempts by railwaymen and others to capture military food will be severely punished. APPEAL TO GERMAN PEOPLE. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) LONDON, January 16. The Trades Union Congress message to Russia continues: "We adjure thepeoplos of Central Europe to force their Governments to answer Russia. Wo appeal to them to renounce annexations in Europe in the same good faith as we renounce them in Asia, and demand that they give the Alsatian, Italian, Polish, and Danish members of their States the absolute right of self-determination which Russia has given to Finland, Courland, Lithuania, and Russian Poland." THE UKRAINE AND PEACE. COPENHAGEN. January 14. The Berlin correspondent of the "Politiken" states that Goneral Kaledin has requested the Ukraine delegates at Brest Litovsk to watch tho interests of the Don districts, adding that if the Ukraine reached an agreement with the Central Powers, the Cossacks at the front would Bo demobilised. PLOT AGAINST LENIN. LONDON, January 16. Unconfirmed reports are current of unsuccessful attempts to shoot Lenin in Petrograd. DEFENSIVE PREPARATIONS. (Recoived January 17th, 9.5 p.m.) PETROGRAD, January 16. Five thousand volunteers of tho new Socialist Army have left for the front to protect tho border. The populace is tremondously enthusiastic. JAPANESE INTERVENTION. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) (Received January 17th. 9.5 p.m.) TOKIO, January 16. It is officially announced that Japanese warships have boon sent to Vladivostock. Japan does not desiro to coerce Russia, but foreign lives and property must be protected.