OMINOUS OUTLOOK IN RUSSIA

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 68, 13 December 1917, Page 5

OMINOUS OUTLOOK IN RUSSIA

■ IRRUPTION OF BOLSHEVIK ANARCHY FEARED ■REPORTED FIGHT WITH KORNIIOFF'S COSSACKS THREATENED STORM IN TEE WEST GERMANS ORGANISING FOR UNITED EFFORT

' The comparative lull on the Western front continues, military ac . tivity being confined to artillery duels, trench raids, and air fights. There is no material change in the situation in Italy. An intense bombardment is in progress. Tho Anstrians claim to have captured a bridgehead at the mouth of the Piave. The outlook in Russia is ominous. An outbreak of Bolshevik anarchy and outrage is feared. Conflicting reports have been received of an encounter between the Maximalists and KornHoff's Cossacks. Mr. Asquith, in a speech at Birmingham, has. stated his view cf Britain's aims and peace ideals, which, he declares, should be made increasingly clear in order that the German people, who have been deceived as to our object in entering the war, may be brought to'realise the truth. BOLSHEVIK MANA ON THE WANE HOSTILE DEMONSTRATIONS IN THE STREETS FURTHER ARMED OUTBREAKS FEARED By Telegraph-Preßß Asßooiation-Oopyrisht / Petrograd, December 11. There are indications that the influence of tho Bolsheviki is waning A' dotJSi of Pavlovsk Guards paraded in the Nevsky Prospect with ban- „ insorbed, '"Down with the" Bolsheviki." Lenin and Trotsky guarded Tthek nominal supporters, are merely prisoners. It is suspected that they desire to escape. House-owners in Petrograd have been warned to safeguard their property during the next few days. A further armed outbreak is feared.—Aus.-N;Z; Cable Assn. RISING IN MOSCOW PEAKED. Petrograd, December 11. ' Feeling -against the Bolshevik junta is increasing,;due to the reticenco of the leaders and their desire to monopolise power. It is stated that Moscow is rest vfand wavering; and the Bolshevik authorities fearing, a rising, have Sed machine-guns in tho streets. It is believed that Lon.n will sunmil CS to the National Assembly, thus sibilitv. The Cossacks control the principal coal supplies state, that the Cossacks mounted machme- ? u„ son the roofs of the houses at Rostoft, terrorising the population. Considerable forces have been detached from the front? and sent against the Cossacks. German officers are indignantly protesting against the distribution of revo lutionary leaflets advocating a democratic peace. The officials here are not sympathetic, and propose to continue distributing the leaflets.- The Times. BOLSHEVIKI DEPRESSED OVER THE ARMISTICE NEGOTIATIONS FATUOUS BELIEF IN VON KUHLMANN'S PACIFISM. ' .' ' London, December 11. Tl« "Dailv Chronicle's" correspondent at Haparada states that the Bolsherikiaro'depressed over the armistice negotiations, and are making atrong efforts to induce the Allies to participate in the negotiations. Gcr™«m offared an armistice if Russia withdrew from tho occupied parts of r Sk LTtI IP Bhck Sea littoral. When informed of these demands Trotsky ? n "dXnb aM to ]>. Kallmann (Imperial Chancellor), and Count feern"n (StrianCgn Minister) by to. hasten a general peace. The Wortes'lLutive strongly opposes the German terms.-Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. - GERMAN SEMI-OFFICIAL VIEW OF THE ARMISTICE NEGOTIATIONS • ■ ■ \ - ■■ ASTONISHING DEMANDS FROM A DISORGANISED ENEMY. Amsterdam, December 11. A semi-official message from Berlin states that in the recent armistice neaotiations the Russian conditions were astonishingly far-reaching consider, inf Russia's military situation. Germany could not agree to evacuate the islands in the Gulf of Riga and not to withdraw troops from the Eastern Front which Russia demanded. However, after further discussion an. agreement was reached, except on the queslv on of the evacuation of the islands, which admits of no discussion. The statement concludes: 'In the ten days truce which was finally agreed upon we see a good augury for the future. - Reuter. THREATENED BLOW AT ENEMY'S WEAKEST SPOT . GERMAN SOLDIERS PROMISED AID IF THEY REBEL. (Rec. December 12, 5.5 p.m.) ' Petrograd, December 11. Mn Phillips Price states: "The Bolshevik Army delegates have returned from the fronts and reported that all the soldiers complained that they wanted an eight months' peace. They bell eyed that they had been betrayed, and say that they will wait no longer, but will rely on themselves M. KampeF one of the delegates) stated that a long armistice was intended The Bolsheviki were,aware of the enemy's aims, but would retaliate at the weakest snot One million leaflets will be supplied to the German soldiers, assuring them of moral support in the event of revolutionary outbreaks."-Unitcd Ser, vice. : J BOLSHEVIK APPEAL TO THE COSSACKS ■ , (Rec. December 12, 11.50 p.m.) London, December 12. A wireless message from Petrograd states that a Bolshevik appeal which has been addressed to the Cossacks says: ''It depends upon you whether the blood of your brethren he shed. Wo hold on our hands to you andurgo you to unite with all the people against their declared enemies-Kaled.n, Korniloff, Dntoff, and KaravloftV'-Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Reuter. LATEST OUTLOOK IN PETROGRAD IMPORTED FIGHTING BETWEEN COSSACKS AND MAXIKLIUIU MALISTS. (Rec. Decombor 13, 0.10 a.m.) London, December 12. Router's correspondent at Petrogra d, telegraphing last night, stated that thfi Revolutionary Committee has invited tho peoplo to demonstrate to-morrow with inflammatory watchwords. The outlook is most ominous. The newsnaner "Praoza" announces that a col lision occurred between the Maximalists ™d four thousand of KomilofE's Cossacks near Bielagorod.-Router. "The Times" correspondent at Petrograd states: "It is reported that the Cossacks have defeated the Bolsheviki at Moholieff. An unconfirmed message from Bielagorod says that Koriiiloff's Cossacks have been defeated, and that Kalcdin is sending reinforce ments.--Router. 5 THE MURDER OF GENERAL DUKHONIN Petrograd, December 11. \n eve-witness of General Dukhonin's death states that tho general was dne'eed from tho railway carriage. and hurled-into the air and caught on havonets held by sailors. The body was then thrown to the ground and again stabbed bayoneted, and shot. The body was thon left to the carriage, where friends 'found it almost stripped. 'Tho sailors had kicked it into the corridor. 1 —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

THE GATHERING STORM IN THE WEST VON HINDENBURG "SQUARING" TEUTON PUBLIC THE CLOVEN HOOP OP CONQUEST AGAIN Rotterdam, December 11. Believing that the conditions in Russia and Italy give them ground for initiating operations on a grand' scalo against the French and British, von Hindenburg and von Ludendoff desiro complete Austro-Hungarian co-opera-tion both on the political and military sides; but, owing to the strong peace feeling in Germany and Austria, the militarists will make a real attempt on December 17 (when the present armistice ends) to secure peace or a prolonged armistice with Russia. In return the militarists will demand a free hand in the West. Meanwhile the German Iron and Steel Association demands the annexation of the French iron region of Briey and Longwy, because German iron may bo exhausted in four or five generations.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. BRITISH GUNS AND 'PLANES UNUSUALLY ACTIVE London, December 10. Sir Douglas Haig reports: "Scottish troops attacked and expolled the dofenders of a post eastward of Boursies. Tho enemy's artillery is again active south and south-west of Cambrai. It is also increasingly active east and northeast of Ypres, particularly in the neighbourhood of Polygon Wood and Passchendaele There was unusual and urn tual aerial and artillery activity yesterday, particularly south of tho Scarp o and north of tho Lys. Wo repulsed a raid east of Epehy, and dispersed working parties on the Cambrai front, securing prisoners."-Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Reuter. (Rec. December 12, 11.50 p.m.) London, December 12. Sir Douglas Haig reports: "We successfully raided the enemy's lines westward of Hulluch. A number of German raiding parties were repulsed southward of Armentiercs. The enemy's aeroplanes were- particularly active on Monday westward of Cambrai, and repeatedly attacked our artillery and machine-gun sections. Our aeroplanes dropped many bombs and attacked with machine-guns villages, hutments, and trenches. We brought down irvo German 'planes Three of our machines are missing. This morning our machines proceeded into Germany to bomb certain factories, but found their objectives obscured by clouds. However, they bombed a large railway station north-east of Pirmosels."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Reuter. ON THE CAMBRAI BATTLEPRONT (Rec. December 12,10.40 p.m.) / London, December 11. Mr. Phiiip Gibbs writes: "There are only patrol encounters on the Cambrai front. The enemy is busily digging into cover opposite mir new. line. We have the advantage. We aro still within the aeeply-dug Hmdenbup* line while the Germans are exposed to our artillery, which does not allow°their working parties any rest. Twenty-seven German divisions are massed on the Cambrai sector, and all have been engaged in the recent fighting. The Germans are displaying great aerial activity, bombing our dumps, depots, and field works. We retaliate with great numbers of fighting 'planes."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. ON THE FRENCH FRONT. London, December 10. 'A' French official communique announces: "There is great reciprocal artillorv activity between the Aisne and the Oise, in tho Champagne, at the 'Hand of Massiges,' on the right bank of the Meuse, and m Upper Alsace. There was a sharp bombardment on the Chaume Wood front and towards Calonne, after which the Germans launched two coups do mam, which broke down."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. (Rec. December 12, 11.50 p.m.) London, Deceniber 12_. A French official communique states: "Moderate reciprocal artillery firing is in progress along the greater part of pur front."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.Reuter. ON THE NEW ZEALAND FRONT SOME RECENT FIGHTING. (Special Dispatch from the New Zo aland Official War Correspondent.)' v • December S.

Following a recent attack bv men from the Otago and Canterbury Battalions, supported by British artillery, an enemy concentration, assembling apparently for a. counter-attack, was dispersed by a barrage which was promptly put dbwn. and which causcd high and severe casualties. Small groups of enemy infantry were also broken by machine-gun and rifle firo. All evidence points to the fact that the enemy ■ lost heavily. Our Lewis gunners and snipers seldom, if evei, had such an opportunity of bowling over the enemy in the open. One man in a few days wit twenty-five Gennans out of action. The old hands were enthusiastic. One German, sniping from a tree, was brought down by a fine shot at long range. Though the final obiective was not entirely gained, the ground taken and held was an enemv strong point. Some junior officers and several men were killed or wounded in'determined efforts to capture strong pill-boxes with machine-guns, which were guarding a ruined chateau that was very strongly held A. captain and a signaller were killod when only a few yards off one of the strongest pill-boxes. One particularly strong pill-boS has since been as* certained to have held between 70 and 80 men, with four machine-guns. While the Otagos were held,up by heavy fire, the Canterbury formed a defensive flank under machine-gun and rifle fire and some shelling from the front and ri"ht banks. In our new sector the ground is of a sandy nature that will enable us to hold winter trenches with less discomfort than on the lower lands that for so long we have occupied on other parts of the. J landers front: Second Lieutenant C. R. Mackenzie has been awarded the Military Cross for gallantry 'in the Passchendaele operations, during which ho was wounded.

NAVAL AIR RAIDS AND PATROL FIGHTS. London, December 11. Tlio ymiraltv reports: "Three naval aircraft when on patrol duty attacked and drove back five enemy scouts and seven large seaplanes. We also destroved two machine, and attacked trenches and an anti-aircraft battery with machine-guns. We raided the V'arssinaere aerodrome,/ and made two direct hits. AH the aeroplanes return ed."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Keuter. RIVAL AIR FLEETS COMPARED London, December 10. Reuto's correspondent at French headquarters states that, according to approximately exact figures, the Germ an Army possesses 278 aeroplane squadrons comprising 2500 machines. It is reported' that the output of aeroplanes in Germany is rapidly increasing—R euter. INTENSE GUN-FIRE ON THE ITALIAN FRONT POWERFUL ENEMY ATTACK REPULSED AUSTRIANS CLAIM A BRIDGEHEAD COUP (Rec. December 12, 7 p.m.) London, December 11. An Italian official report states: "Artillery activity along the whole front ic intense between the Brenta and the Piave. We sanguinarily repulsed apowerful attempt to retake the positions in the CapobFle region.''-Au B ,N.Z. Cable Assn.-Reuter. AUSTRIAN OFFICIAL REPORT. (Rec. December 12, 7 p.m.) London, December 11. An Austrian official report states: "We captured a bridgehead at Bressanin, at the mouth of the Piave, and took 234 prisoners."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Reuter. THE CAPTURE OF JERUSALEM GENERAL ALLENBY'S OFFICIAL ENTRY BRITISH SOLITUDE FOR THE HOLY PLACES London, December 11. In the House of Commons, Mr. Bonar Law announced that General Allenby proposed to officially enter Jerusalem to-morrow. In the meantime stops are being taken to safeguard tho city and Holy Places. The capture of Jerusalem was in some degree delayed owing to the great care taken to avoid damage to the sacred places in and around the city.—Renter. PUBLIC REJOICING IN ENGLAND London, December 11. The newspapers applaud General Allenby's brilliant tactics. Thereiwasa demonstration in the House of Commons after Mr. Bonar Law's announcement. A solemn To Dcum will be sung to-night in Westminster Cathedral to celebrato the victory at Jerusalem. The big bell was rung directly tlio victory was announced—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. THE KING'S CONGRATULATIONS. London, December 10. Official.—The King has sent the following message to General Allenby:— "The news of tho occupation of Jerusalem will bo received throughout tlio Empire witli the greatest satisfaction. I heartily congratulate you and all ranks upon tlio success of the achievement, which is a'fitting sequel to the hard marching and fighting of the troops, and the organisation by which tho difficulties of supply, transport and water were overcome. I rejoice at the skilful dispositions which preserved intact tho Holy Places."—Aiis.-N.Z. Cable. Assn.-Reuter.

A MESSAGE TO NEW ZEALAND His Excellency the Governor-General has received the following telegram from the ltight Honourable the Secretary of State for the Colonies:— "Jerusalem was surrendered to General Allenby on December 9, after successful operations bv our Army in Palestine against the enemy position, which encircled the Holy City. British , officers, accompanied by British, French, Italian, and Indian Mahommedan guards aro on their way to safeguard the city and the holy places._ I am confident that this great historical event will bo hailed with satisfaction throughout the Empire.—(Signed) LONG."