ration. HINT OF A RUSSIAN OFFENSIVE

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3116, 21 June 1917, Page 5

ration. HINT OF A RUSSIAN OFFENSIVE

, ..'.'..' IN A FEW WEEKS HOPEFUL STATEMENT BY THE FRENCH MINISTER (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright). Copenhagen, Jtuie 19. M. Thomas, the French. Minister to Russia, lias arrived from Petrograd. 'In' an interview he stated: "In a.few weeks Germany will be no longer able to reckon, on. the present quiet on the Russian front." 51. Thomas predicts that Russia after the war will be divided into federal States, in order to fulfil the different racial desires—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. , .• / ' DECISIVE HOUR AT HAND. ....'.' Rotterdam, June 19. The "Kolnische Zeitung" reports that the Russian Minister of the Interior-states-that the decisive hour of the revolution is at hand. The next fortnight will reveal with whom the Teal power lies.—Aus.N.Z, Cable Assn. RELATIONS WITH JAPAN UNCHANGED New York, June 19. . The Now York "Times" correspondent at' Washington learns authoritatively that the' change in tho Government of Russia has not affected the RussoJapanese Alliance.—Aus.-N.Z.'Cable Assn. THE GERMAN PEACE OFFER TO RUSSIA SWISS MINISTER'S EXPOSURE CAUSES A SENSATION. (Rcc June 20, 11.20 p.m.) Berne, June 20. The Hoffmann incident has created a sensation, and at special meetings of the Swiss Federal Council the affair was heatedly disoussed. Hoffmann admitted the facts as alleged, claiming that he was solely responsible for sending 1 the \ message to Russia. Hoffmann's letter of resignation, read to the Federal Assembly stated that he did not consult bis colleagues. Ho now recognises that his action would produce disastrous consequences for Switzerland unless he reM* Schulthess, President of the Republic, read a statement on behalf of tho Council, and added: "If he had consulted us we would have begged him to reAfter a prolonged and disorderly scene tho Assembly decided not to discus.? The newspapers recall that only three days ago it was officially announced on behalf of both Houses that Switzerland would not undertako mediation. The Paris newspapers state that Hoffmann was intermediary for instructing Bitter at Washington during the German American intrigues. , / THE OFFICIAL EXPLANATION. (Rec. June 21, 1.15 a.m.) ' Bcrnc, Juno 20. The official explanation of tho Hoffmann affair is that he acted with a view to encouraging an early peace, and thoreforo in Switzerland s own interests.— Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. . A PITIABLE SHUFFLE (Rcc. Juno 20, 6.50 p.m.) Geneva l , Juno 19. The "Tribune" characterises as "pitiable and deplorable." M. ex- ' fllanation that ho acted as a private individua . The latest reports from Borne Stel£ announce that M. Hoffmann has res gned his position as Swiss 1 edAfinisrpr nf the Interior. Hoffmann and Grimm (who was expelled from Russ£ recently) areof German origin. Hoffmann, as head of the Political Departmentwas virtually Foreign Minister, and had-been notoriously pro-German since tho outbreak of tho war.-Aus-N.Z. Cablo .Assn. rir Hoffmann, tho Swiss' Minister concerned in the German offer of peace to RusVinTrMucstk tho Swiss Minister to communicate the.offer through Robert Grinuu a Swiss citizen, who came to Petrograd in the middle of May, ostensibly actin" as a guide for the returning Russian refugees. It is no* announced that the Provisional Government has ordered the expu sum of M. Grimm becanso.it s eriS that be is a pacifist German agent. Grimm has already lcttßussia. The General Congress of the Council of Workmen and Soldiers Delegates apwoved of the expulsion of Grimm by 640 votes to 21, expressing the opinion that ?he expulsion was essential in tho interests of the Russian revolution and of International Socialism.! ,