RUINED RUSSIA.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16217, 21 May 1918, Page 7

RUINED RUSSIA.

PETROGRAD'S DEPLORABLE PLIGHT. (By Cable.—Press Association.—Copyright (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) LONDON, May 18. Latest advices from Petrograd give a deplorable account of the conditions of liie in that city. There iB very little food; and official rations scarcely sustain existence; consequently theft and fraud are rampant. The small quantity of provisions in private hands leads to extortionate profiteering. Hams cost £50 apiece, and eggs Jis each. The city generally is going to wrack and ruin.

Vladimir Bourbeff, the famous Russian revolutionary, who was recently released from the Petrograd fortress, has arrived at Stockholm. In a message to tho "Daily Chronicle" he Bums up the causes of Russia's debacle, attributing it to Republican weakness and Bolshevik vindictiveness.

The Bolsheviks, he says, had a purpose which Kerensky lacked. He firmly believes that the Bolsheviks always intended to sell Russia in order to have leisure to organise their anarchist propaganda. Ho adds that Germans, even in Bolshevik Husßia. arc calmly buying banks, estates, enipsj and railways.

The Bolsheviks, Bourboff adds, hav< appointed Ganetsky to nationalise +h< Petrograd banks. Ganetsky is i notorious German agent, and was once, caught red-handed. Bourbeff say* that he and other revolutionaries now perceive that the revolution has been a calamity. The "Morning Post's" Stockholm correspondent sajrs that three leading Red generalß were executed at Helsinjj;fors yesterday. The rebellion may be considered ended.

PARIS, May 18. The entire French Press urges an early combined effort to solve tho Russian problem, and prevent Germany from reorganising Russia in Germany s interests.

The "Temps" says that the first necessity is a coherent method. ll suggests that the Entente should begin by getting coherent information, and by centralising and examining the news from Russia. "Washington would be the most suitable centre.

AMSTERDAM, May 19. "Vorwaerts" states that various German Courts aro most excited regarding opportunities of obtaining n throne in the East. Agents aro journeying in all directions on behalf of competing claims. As there will be at most six thrones to distribute, and as the German dynasties number 21!. "Vorwaerts" suggests filling the thrones with Turkish Princes, otherwise German unitv will be imperilled. MOSCOW May 19. A mutiny occurred in tne . Germ-m regiments at Wesenberc, in Esthonia. Several officers were killed.

The German High Command sen; trustworthy troops and arrested tiv< hundred of the mutineers. Ten won • immediately shot.

Another mutim* occurred in a Gt

man regiment at Dvinsk

BERNE, May 18. A Moscow telegram states that negotiations are proceeding for the settling of the ex-Czar and his family in Switzerland, journeying via Roiimania and Austria. The Czar's familv are •willing to en to Switzerland.

AMSTERDAM, May 18. Newspapers state that the ex-Czar will bo court-martiallcd at Moscow ;n June.

(Renter's Telegrams.} Admiralty per Wireless Pre«s. (Received May 20th, 8 p.m.)

LONDON, May 19.

A Russian official report points out that the Germans, despite tho agreement for the cessation of hostilities, aro still engaged in military operations in tho Don region. The Government has communicated with Herr Mirbach (German Ambassador), pointing out that there was no justification for refusing an armistice, and requested Hcrr Mirbach to expedito a reply with a view to restoring peaceful conditions.

Tho peoples' commissaries have senr a messago to the Provincial Councils ordering compliance within a week with the decree for tho creation of a strong, united Red Army to defend the Republic from its internal and external enemies. (Beater's Telegrams.) (Received May 20th, 8.20 p.m.) MOSCOW, May 19. The Bolshevik Press Bureau has published a secret circular which tho German Government addressed to all tho newspapers in Germany, stating that the German Commissioners hnri can-

vinced themselves of the dearth of sup-1 plies of cereals in the Ukraine, owi g to the insufficient sowings last year and the small owners secreting supply. Tlie peasants in Ukraine were nearly all armed against the Germans. 1o - sibly greater supplies would bo dif=c_ - ered with the further advance of the Germans, and better results might obtained by armed force, but in any case any hope for an improvement ot Germany's food supplies was cxceedingly problematical- ) (Australian *nd N.Z. Cable Association.) (Received May 20th, 8 p.m.) BERNE. May 19. Several attempts have been made of Into at Kieff against the occupying authorities, and street fighting has occurred. The German command, m conjunction with the Provisional Government, has decreed a state of siege, and arrested many members of the.Revolutionary Committee, and sent them for trial by military courts. COSSACK ADVANCE IN SIBERIA. WASHINGTON, May 18. Information- has reached -Russian diplomatic circles that General S menoff's forces are movmg steaddy on T-Uiitnk It is expected that ne vm soon reach Lake Baikal which would remove the control of Siberia, east of Laka Baikal, from, the Soviet Gove.nment at Moscow. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) (Reoeived May 21st, 1 a.m.) NEW YORK, May 19. It is believed that in the event of an emergency, General Semenofi, the Cossack leader, wosld co-operate with China and Japan against Germany. ITALIAN THEATRE. (By Cable.—Press Association.— Copjri?Lt.) (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) (Router's Telegrams.) LONDON, May 19. An Italian official message says:— "The enemy's third attempt on May 17th to recapture Mount Corno failed. Two columns, with machine-guns and flame-throwers, strongly supported by artillery, attacked our positions. rhe attackers wero caught under violent artillery and machine-gun fare ana wero compelled to retire in confusion. We firmly held our positions and repulsed numerous attacks at other points on the front."

pet bale Centre. Baku. J e. d. Auck'ond . • 39,962 -0 16 5 Tokomaru Bay 6,243 2a 0 o Tobsa Bay .. 6,1'iG 22 8 10 Gisborne •« KG,285 22 18 2 Napier •• 79,423 Waitara. •• 7,585 -- 0 6 "Wanjranui .. 31,259 2o 8 G •• 107,CS2 21 15 .. Xclson .. 7.151 20 10 0 Blenheim .. 13,440 21 lo 3 Cbristchurccii.. 58,920 22 16 1 Tin:;:ru •• 25,193 22 5 7 Oamaru • • 10.803 21 13 S .. 42," 37 21 13 8 Invercorgill .. 32,244 20 0 9