RUSSIAN AFFAIRS

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16216, 20 May 1918, Page 7

RUSSIAN AFFAIRS

(By Cable.—Press Association.—Copyright.) (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.)

AMSTERDAM, May 17

Ukraine newspapers continue to violently attack the Central Powers, accusing Germany of intending to make Sebaßtopol a German naval base. There is growing unrest and excitement among the Ukrainian peasants. Hand to hand fighting has occurred in the streets of Odessa.

Tho Austrian commandant has proclaimed martial law, and strong Austrian patrols are constantly in tho streets of Kieff, from which thousands of families are fleeing. Anarchists are active.

BRITAIN'S ATTITUDE OUTLINED.

LONDON, May 17. In the House of Commons Lord Robert Cecil (Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs) oxpressed a doubt as to whether the suggestion of a permanent Allied Diplomatic Council at Versailles would achiovo greater rosuTts than the existing machinery. Britain had no quarrel with* Russia. On tho contrary, Britain always desired to be on the closest possible terms with the Russian people. Wo had undeniably suffered gravo disappointment and loss owing to Russian political events, but we were anxious to do all that was possible to support and assist the Russian people, and preservo Russia as a great Allied country, or at at least as a nonGerman country.