THE RUSSIAN SITUATION.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16152, 5 March 1918, Page 7

THE RUSSIAN SITUATION.

GERMAN INVASION CEASES. OFFICIAL ENEMY REPORT. (By Cable.—Preßs Association.—Copyright.) (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) (Reuter's Telegrams.) Admiralty por "Wireless Press. (Received March 4*th, 7.15 p.m.) LONDON, March 3. A German official report states: — "Owing to the signing of the peace treaty, military movements in Great Russia have ceased." PEACE .SIGNED ON SUNDAY. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) (Received March sth, 1.30 a.m.) BERNE, March 3. A German official report states: "Peace was signed at five o'clock on the evening of March 3rd." ENEMY DEMANDS INCREASED. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) (Received March 4th, 7 p.m.) PETROGRAD, March 3. Lenin and Trotzky report that the latest German terms are more stringent than those of February 25tli. They were presented as an ■ultimatum, and the peace delegation signed them -without discussion. The new terms compel Russia to yield the Batotim, Kars, and Karaghan districts. The signing of the agreement ■without discussion made a "bad impression on the Council of Commissaries. BOLSHEVIKS DISSATISFIED. (Reuter'a Telegrams.) (Received March 4th, 7.15 p.m.-) PETROGRAD. March 3. A large number of provincial Soviets, including Moscow, are dissatisfied with the peace terms. A Congress of Soviets has been convened to meet in Moscow on March 12th to discuss tho conditions of the treaty. THE INVADERS' BOOTY. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) (Reuter's Telegrams.) Admiralty per Wireless Pres3. (Received March 4th, 7.15 p.m.) LONDON, March 3. A German official Teport states: "After a hard fight we capturod Pleskau, also. Polozk and Bolishoff. "We have junctioned with tho Polish divisions at Bobtuisks. "Austrian and German troops have entered Slimerinka. "We have taken prisoner up to the present 6300 officers, 57,000 men, 2400 guns, 5000 machine-guns, thousands of vehicles, including 1000 motor vehicles, ]1 armoured motor-cars, 800 locomotives, 8000 railway trucks, and great quantities of artillery munitions. "Wc took prisoner at Reval 513 men, 220 guns, and 22 aeroplanes. PETROGRAD BOMBED. (.Reuter's Telegrams.) (Received March 'Ith, 7.15 p.m.) PETROGRAD, March 3. A Gorman aeroplane bombed Pctrograd and killed three and wounded five, persons. 80 MILES FROM PETROGRAD. ("Tho Times.") (Received March 4th, 10.45 p.m.) PETROGRAD. March ,3. Tho Germans have reached Narva, 80 miles from Petrograd, and are approaching Longadno, the capture of which will give them three railway connexions with Petrograd. Their patrols penetrated deeply at some points. GERMANY AND THE AALANDS. (Reuter's Telegrams.) (Received March 4tli, 10.45 p.m.) STOCKHOLM, March 3. Germany has officially informed Sweden that she is sending troops to Finland at the request of the Finnish Government to suppress the revolution. The German troops will use the Aaland Islands as a halting place. Germany assures Sweden that she has no territorial interest in tho Aaland Islands, and recognises Sweden's vital interest therein. Sweden in reply strongly objects to the eventual inclusion of the Aaland Islands in the sphere of the war operations, and emphasises that even a

limited utilisation according to Ger-I

man conditions might create difficult' -s in the "way of Sweden's humanitar.jiti work of the protection of the poP II a tion of the islands. The Swedish commander at tne Aalands has been informed that- nt may expect the arrival of a German expedition. GERMAN SQUADRON SIGHTED (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association-) (Received March 4th, 7 p.m.) STOCKHOLM, March 3. A large German squadron , passed Gothland (oft the-oast coast of Sweden) on Saturday, steering in a northerly direction. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) (Received March oth, 1 p.m.) COPENHAGEN, March 4. The German squadron which passed Gothland was apparently transporting troops to the -Aaland Islands, wheio transports, protected by the cruisers and destroyers, disembarked on Saturday. There is great excitement in Sweden over these developments. GERMANY'S BIG TASK. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) LONDON, March 3. Mr Shaplen, the Petrograd correspondent of the United Press, interviewed M Kalegayeff, Commissioner ot Agriculture, who said that the war would continue irrespective of the signing of peace at Brest Litovslc. [he Germans had occupied only breadless provinces. If they took Petrograd they must feed three million inhabitants. Military success would therefore simply tighten the economic nooso round the German neck. SLAVE RAIDS AT PSKOFF. (Reuter's Telegrams.) PETROGRAD March 3. The Germans at Pskoff have deported to Germany all men under 42 years or age. RUSSIAN DELI3GATES CAPITULATE. PETROGRAD, March 3. The delegation at Brest Litovsk wired on March 2nd as follows: — "As anticipated, deliberations on the peace treaty are absolutely useless. They could only make things worse, or might even load to the presentation of another ultimatum. "In yiew of this and tho refusal of the Germans to. cease military action until peace is signed, wo have resolved to sign the treaty without discussing its contents. Wo havo therefore requested a train, intending to sign the treaty to-day, and to leave afterwards."!, FA3IINE IN FINLAND. (Received March 4th, 7 p.m.) COPENHAGEN, March 3. There is terrible famine in Holsingfors. Tho last bread ration -was distributed yesterday. The Premier has resigned. , ATTEMPT TO STA2IVE PETROGRAD. (By Cable.—Pies3 Association.— Copyright.) (Australian and N.Z. Cfl/bl<s Association.) PETROGRAD, March 3. The Germans have begun an encircling movement southward of Pctrograd, apparently to cut off "the capital from Moscow. , The former peace delegates nave issued a proclamation:— v "Wo have decided in favour of The enemy will only enter Petrograd over our bodies. Our slogan is, <\ ictory or death!'" ("The Timea.") PETROGRAD, March 3. The Germans have resumed the advance from Pskoff, and have occupied Khastitea. . They are expected to attempt tne rapture of Bologie, ■which is the main channel of Petrograd's food. supply, witli a view to starving tho capital. j ATTEMPTS AT DEFENCE. (Australian smd N.Z. Cable Association.) PETROGRAD, March 1. The Revolutionary Committee has summoned all officers on tho militaiy list to co-operate in tho defence of tho country . . , . Tho Peace Delegation wired the Council of Commissaries, ordering them not to surrender anything without a struggle, and urging tliem to fight to the list, adding: "The garrison is of only small detachments." Nevertheless, it apporjs tnat the delegates decided tn sign apeaco regardless of the conditions. Under the iatest Russo-Germaii agreement Russia hands over the districts of Batum, liars and Karaglian " THE AUSTRIAN ADVANCE. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) (Reuter's Telegrams.) Admiralty per \Vireles3 Press. LONDON, March 3. An Austrian official message states: 'We havj reached Lacsowy, Prcskurow, and Lipkany, and havo occupied Chotin, Kamienec, and Podolski, where the stairs of two Russian corps surrendered. , "Three hundred guns, two hundred field kitchens, one complete radio station, and much material were captured.'' FUTURE OF ESTHONIA, ißeuter's Telegrams.) | LONDON, March 3. Berlin reports state that the Rovnl town council has proclaimed Esthonia's independence and neutrality. A Provisional Government is being formed. Estlionian soldiers have been jecalled from tho Russian army. ROUMANIAN OUTLOOK. THE PEACE NEGOTIATIONS. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) (Reuter's Telegrams.) Admiralty per Wireless Press. (Received March 4th, 7.10 p.m.) LONDON.. March 3. A German official report states:— "A further armistice has been granted to Roumania to enable her to continue the peace negotiations." CONTRADICTORY REPORTS. (Reuter's Telegrams.) (Received March 4th, 7 p.m.) AMSTERDAM, March 3. It is semi-officially reported from Bucharest that Roumania lias adopted tho basis for negotiations proposed by the Contral Powers, and will send re-

preservatives to discuss tho conclusion of peace. \ienna officially reports that negotiations with Roumania are proceeding favourably. (Australian and X.Z. Cable Association.) (Received March 4th, 7 p.m.) COPENHAGEN, March 3. The ''National Tidende's" Berlin correspondent reports that Roumania has rejected the German peace offer. King Ferdinand refusing the enemy's terms.