COALITION GOVERNMENT FORMED

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 58, 1 December 1917, Page 9

COALITION GOVERNMENT FORMED

THE FIGHT FOR BOURLON WOOD BRITISH LINE FURTHER ' ; ADVANCED: WAR CONFERENCE 'OPENED More sensations are reported from Russia. In the midst of arrangements for an armistice and peace negotiations with the Central Powers, Lenin and his associates have been overthrown by another extremist faction, headed by Tchernoff, a "Socialist Revolutionary," former Minister of Agriculture in the Provisional Government. ' Peasant influence appears to be rising at Petrograd, but what is to issue from, the latest developments is as yet a matter of speculation. In the Western theatre the British are successfully consolidating their new positions in the Cambrai region, and though the enemy is hurrying up troops to this part of the front from Russia, and even from Italy, he has failed to modify his defeat. A passage in a German report shows that Cambrai junction is now under bombardment by. the British guns. It is mentioned that the weather is good ami that troops and transport are able to move fairly easily, and indications generally point to rising- activity in the main theatre, in the vicinity of Cambrai and at other points. ' DOWNFALL OF LENIN'S GOVERNMENT A COALIM AGREED UPON ARMISTICE MAY BE RENDERED ABORTIVE Bi Telegraph—Prm Association—Copyright (Rec. November 30, 11.5 p.m.) I V .„, • u • . ... . . London, November 29. AvMitg in Russia are moving with dramatic swiftness, and have taken another amazing turn It is a coincidence that the news of Germany's acceptance of Lenin s offer of. an armistice comes with the announcement tonight of the downfall of Lenin s Government and the possibility of rendering the armistice abortive. Russia is now trying a third i.-xperiment for composing a Revolutionary Parliament. The "Daily Chronicle's" Petrograd correspondent states that a Peasants' Conference meeting a few days ago split into a small anti-Bolshevik proW n 'i L g ® r 6 A° tl0 T V f Ijefts sharing Lenin's views. Lenin last night, when addressing the Lefts, antagonised thorn. The peasants and soldisrs, forming the majority of the audience, interrupted frequently, and jeered at the reference to Krylenko's appointment as Commander-in-Chief. Lenin retired, not daring to put a resolution of confidence in the Government to til® meeting. Then came the announcement that Germany had acthe armistice proposal. A Bolshevik delegate moved to send a telegram of congratulation to Krylenko. An uproarious discussion resulted in the of tho resolution and the Bolsheviks talked out. It became apparent last night that the Bolsheviks were not securing a sweeping majority in the Constituent Assembly election, even in I'etrograd, which is tho citadel of Bolshevism.' . A; coalition of Bolsheviks with tho other extremists thus became an urgent necessity, r and'negotiations proceeded .on Wednesday and Thursday. Meantime M. Tchernoff made a powerful bid for the leadership and received a tumultuous reception from the Loft Poasants. M. Tchernoff concluded triumphantly, and the meeting was adjourning when the chairman made the dramatic announcement that a Conlition Government, consisting of anti-J-iolshenks and Internationalists had heen agreed -upon. Delegates representing the -Arnjy, trades unions, the All-Russian Executive, tho Committee of Soviets, and the Left Peasants' Conference retired in order to form a temporary Soviet Parliament, which will appoint committees to manage the Government Depwtments. The chairmen of these committees will be the Cabinet. ? n 0 oreseo results, but it is obvious a new organ lias arisen, and N Z Cable°Assn Ilen ° Ut the lm " ds ° f tllo Bols,le viks.-Aus.-GERMANY ACCEPTS PROPOSALS FOR AN ARMISTICE REPRESENTATIVES TO MEET TO-MORROW. w,» «, •i , „ , , London, November 29, KrvlmiL S e<)l ' ros l , ° n ; l . enk at Petrograd Btates that General Krylenko reports that three representatives of the oth Army were admitted to the German trenches, and received a reply from tho commander of the Ger. f {r , oni > stated that lie. ivas directed by the German Com-mander-in-Chief to accept the armistice proposals. Representatives of both ampolft-n tlfi "I Y > conclude tho armistice and make renewed appeals to the Allies to accept tho Bolshevik peace platform and conclude a general armistice on all fronts. The: position is extremely bizarre. Oiily j three armies recognise Krylenko's authority.—Aus.-N.Z, Cable Assn. The New Zealand High Commissioner reports:— • I , L- , , ■ London, November 29; 12.10 p.m. sn ,,i!pftu"r' 6tler (Commander-in-Chief for.the Bolsheviks) |a™ eet on 601136 to neS ° tlate for e ' | ALLIES' EFFORTS TO OFFSET THE PEACE MOVES CONSOLIDATING THE ELEMENTS OPPOSED TO THE BOLSHEVIK! m en t G V ork f T i ra r S '' c ?. rres !» n dent. at Washfn" Jn'statesthat'Govern, to Russia because°of tbn V R if i AllieS wiU ado P fc an attitude of hostility Paris Conferpw , p wi?l m}Jf Bo]slle , vlk moves towards Germany. The 'Bolsheviki Itislsl& T r or COnSolld - ato . the elements °PP osed the !' SWISS FOREIGN OFFICE ASKED TO CONVEY PROPOSALS. (Rec. November 30, 7.35 p.m.) mv. ') 7 •v. , Paris, November 29.' nffinl correspondent states that Trotsky asked the Swiss nf tin ? ? rt op °n * 2, rmistlce and .peace to the Ambassadors +! t l! e ? t t iP e n ra Powers - The Federation Council refused to transmit the proposals to the Central Powers.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn ! ' s SWEDISH LEGATION ACTED A ( S MEDIATOR. (Rec. November 30, 9.10 p.m.) m c, J- . T 1- , Copenhagen, November 29. Ine Swedish Legation at Petrograd, at Trotsky's request, agreed to act as mediator in .lie peace negotiations between Russia and Germany. The negotiations have commenced, the Swedish Legation having telegraphed the Berlin Foreign Office offering a truce—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. . IMPERIAL CHANCELLOR'S OPINION OF ' THE TRUCE PROPOSALS HOPES THEY WILL SOON BRING PEACE. (Rec. November 30, 9.10 p.m.) , ~ . . . London, November 29. A German wireless message gives an extract from the speech of the 1mW ( ?° relating to Russia's proposals and -, negotiations foi a truce, as follows:—"I do not hesitate to declare it is possiblo to recognise in Russia s -proposals, as far as thoy are at present known, debatable principles whereon the opening of negotiations may bo based. 1 am ready to enter, thereupon as soon as the Russian Government sends fullyempowered representatives. I hope and wish these efforts may soon assume shape and bring peace."—Aus.-N.Z, Cable Assn. LENIN THREATENS THE ALT,res m, , ITI n , . ~ London, November -29. J™ . Chronicle s correspondent at Petrograd had an interview with.Lenin, who stated: 'Unless the proletariat of other countries support us the Revolution will achieve nothing. We possess powerful means of compelling the Allies to obey our wishes.; We can declaro the State bankrupt, and invalidate Its loans and obligations."—Aub;-N.Z. Cable Assn.