RUSSIAN AFFAIRS.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16205, 7 May 1918, Page 8

RUSSIAN AFFAIRS.

(By Cable,—l'resa Association.—Copyright.) (Australian and N.Z. Cablo Association.) PETROGRAD, May 5. Members ot the Kerensky Cabinet, who were imprisoned in tlie fortress ot IVter and Paul, have been released. The Bolsheviks have abandoned the idea that they can govern Russia without tlie help of other parties. NEW YORK, May u. The '.'Now York Times" Paris correspondent says that the Allied officials returning from Russia take_ a gloomy view of the Russian situation. They "point out that the bright spot is'that Germany will continue to have difficulty to capitalise her Russian success. Of 1,u00,000 German prisoners in Russia, Germany will not get back, under arms, more than 10 per cent. In KiefF tho Bolsheviks murdered 1048 Russian officers in one day, and there wero also many murders in Petrograd. LONDON, May Z. Recent arrivals from Russia believe that the Germans' chief aim in the north monarchical restoration ; while maintaining a separate republican go- , vernment in Ukrainia,and perpetuating tliib breach between different parts of the country. Tho scheme, even if successful in Potrograd or a small part of Russia, is unlikely to be decisive over the rest of the country, for Petrograd has ceased to be the country's hrain centre. Notwithstanding the Bolsheviks' failures, they havo effectively sown the doctrines of government hy the people. The laiost advices from the Ukraine state- that violent fighting occurred between tho new Government and tho old Endfi. The real moaning of the latest developments is variously interpreted. A theory widely held is that Germany has instituted the overthrow of tho Rada, pntliiM' hor hooes from the Bre*tLitovk treaty, especially with Tertnnl to food, so bitterlv disappointin^. Tl-e "o v hcviks in Petrograd assume t-li."t are I''o real controller.': of the C'f'intinn nt WASHINGTON', May 5. O"-- n/1 rices sny ibnh the first ' ov erain from Ukrainia has in and that the rei of tlre x f.«nnan bread rations lins boen pjf;lnoned. . ' (Kauter's Telegrams.) MOSCOW, May 5. Tho' , ex-Czar. Czarina, and ono daughter, according to a Soviet anfioir.icoinent, have been transferred to Ekaterinburg, owing to alleged efforts bv peasants and monarchists at Tobolsk to promote their escaoe. The Czarevitch is not mentioned.

(Australian and 2?. Z. Cable Association.) ; (Received Mav 6th, 7.45 p.m.) STOCKHOLM, May o. It is reported that Lenin and Trotsky have come into contact with a number of officials of the Czar's regime. Travellers from Moscow say that Lenin is preparing a counter-revolution •with tho connivance of followers of the Czar, Lenin hoping to subdue the parties responsible for the first revolution. Tliero are indications that the Russian situation generally is tending towards reorganisation through military means. (Received May 6th, 7.50 p.m. LONDON, May 5. The Hague correspondent of "The Times" says that the Ukraine Government is a mere German tool. The "Frankfurter Zeitung" excuses the. German tyranny, stating that the Central Powers' economic situation is so grave that it justifies the greatest energy in enforcing- their requirements. '• (Renter's Telegrams.} . (Received May 6th, 7.50 p.m.) AMSTERDAM, May 5. In tho Reichstag Herr von Payer, referring to the Ukraine, stated that voh Eichhorn's drastic action was due! to the discovery that the Ukraine Com-j mittee, 'including several Ministers, had plotted the assassination of all German officers in the Ukraine. . (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) . (Received May Ctli, 1.50 a.m.) NEW YORK, April 6. Herman Bernstein, the "New York Herald" Stockholm correspondent, says that ho lias obtained an original letter from Trotsky to Lenin during' the .separate peace negotiations at BrestLitovsk in which Trotsky said:— "It is impossible to sign tho peace. My plan is to announce the termination of tho war without signing the peace. The Germans will then be unable 10 attack. lii; nny case it would bo difficult for Germany to attack because of her internal condition."