THE RUSSIAN PROPOSALS

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 78, 26 December 1917, Page 5

THE RUSSIAN PROPOSALS

_. CIVIL. WAR DEVELOPING 1 THE SOUTH

STUBBORN FIGHTING ON ITALIAN FRONT ' ■ i

ANOTHER ADVANCE IN - PALESTINE

The British are again advancing in Palestine. In £he coastal zona they have crossed the Rivor Aujr. and reached positions four miles further north. Stubborn figbt'ing continues on ffie Italian front. At one point the (talians have been driven into their rear obTences, but the position is being restored by counter-attacks. Minor events are reported in the "Western theatre. In an abortive enemy raid on the coast rf Kent one aeroplane was brought down and captured. Messages dealing with the Susso-German yeace negotiations include one which details the Russian proposals, .fin unconfirmed report from Washington states that the Germans have opened a powerful drive in Macedonia:

PEACE CONFERENCE OPENED AT BREST LITOYSK THE RUSSIAN PROPOSALS UKRAINIANS SOLIDLY OPPOSED TO A SEPARATE PEACE By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright Amsterdam, December 23. Peace negotiations havp opened at Brest Litovsk. The number cf delegates and the chief of each group are as follow: —Germany five, Dr. Kuhlinann,- Foreign Minister; Austria, eight, Count Czernin; Bulgaria, five, 11. Foppff, Minister of I Justice; Turkey, if'Ur, Vessim.Bey, Foreign Minister; Russia, thirteen, M. Kamineff. Dr. Kuhlmann, who is presiding, 'emphasised that there'could be no ijuestion of di awing up an elaborate peace treaty. They could only settle the most important conditions for the speedy Te-estab-liiihment of peaceful intercourse, especially cultural and economic. Hβ also emphasised that tho negotiations must take account of what would become a historical conference. It.was decided that the chief representative of each Power should preside alternately The chief Russian representative stated the well-known Russian peace programme, and the representatives of the other Powers then began an examination of the terms.—Renter. POINTS SUBMITTED BY RUSSIAN DELEGATES. '■■•■• . (Rec. December 25, 5.5 p.m.) Petrograd, December 24. Tho Russian delegates presented sis points at .the Brest Litovsk Conference. They provide for— No forcible acquisition of territory. The restoration of political independence to those peoploß who have / lost it during the var. The self-determination of the national groups. No indemnities. Private persons to be compensated for war losses from a special fund to wnich all the belligerents shall contribute on a proportional . basis. ' . The same principles to be applicable to the colonies as to the parent countries. The last clause prohibits economic boycotts, separate Customs agree- ■ meuts, and a naval blockade not pursuing any direct military object.—Reuta.\ ' • ENEMY DELEGATES' REPLY TO THE RUSSIAN PROPOSALS. (Rec. December 25, 11.45 p.m.) Amsterdam, December 24. The enemy delegations at Brest Litovsk have unanimously agreed to the basis of the reply to the Russian peaoe proposals. The 'reply will be formulated to-morrow.—Reuter. KAISER FAVOURS GATHERING OF EUROPEAN MONARCHS AND REGENTS. (Rec. December 24, 9.15 pm.) Copenhagen, December 23. The "Berliner Zeitung" states that the Kaiser has intimated that he will probably go to Brest Litovsk:if the peace negotiations are successful. It says, also, that tho Kaiser favours a gathering of all the European ioonarchs and regents, "as everybody wants peace, and all the States must cooperate in solving the problems aread."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. CIVIL WAR DEVELOPING IN SOUTH RUSSIA BOfSHEVIKI'S NEGOTIATIONS WITH GERMANY' EMBARRASSED. Petrograd, December 23. Civil war is developing in the south, notwithstanding that the Ukraine Assombly and the Soviet are r.egotiating to secure a peaceful settlement. The Bolsheviks have occupied Vinnista, while the Ukrainians are concentrate ing at Kicff and hold Voroness and Khaikoff. The situation is seriously -anbarrassrag tho Bolshevik's negotiations with Gaimany. Tho Bolsheviki have arrested the Ukrainian representatives in Petrograd, and have ordered the arrest of General Tcherbatcheff, who is in (command of the Rumanians and Ukrainians, and has seized important points on the fronts. Kaledin is anxious to serve under_ Tcherbatcheff. The Ukraine continues to assert its indepependence, and his issued its own paper money in notes of the value of the Russian rouble.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn, UKRAINIAN TROOPS TAKE CHARGE ON SOUTH-WESTERN FRONTS Petrograd, December 22. The "Pravda" states that Ukrainian troops have occupied the headquarters of all the.Staffs on the Rumanian and south-western fronts, and seized tho telegraph and wireless plant. Tho two fronts are now united into a single Ukrainian -front, of which General Tcherbatcheff is commander-in-chief, —Reuter. . . GERMAN TROOPS MOVED TO MEET THE NEW MENACE, j (Rec. December 25, 11.30 p.m.) Petrograd, December 24. Thirty-one million people in the Ukraine are solidly opposing Lenin's separate peace announcement. The Ukraine is linking up with General Kaledin with a view to defending the south-western and Rumanian fronts. The Germans have been compelled to move troops from the northern sectors to meet the new menace. It is reported that tho Bolehoviki have sent the Guards from Petrograd and Moscow ugainst tho Ukraine.—Aus.-N.Z.. Cable Assn. > CAUCASIAN ARMY MARCHING ON KALEDIN'S REAR. ■ ' (Rec. December 25, .11,45 p.m.) Amsterdam, December 24. A Petrograd telegram from the Maximalist Press Bureau states that a Caucasian army 100,000 strong ia marching on General Kaledin's rear:— Reuter. RAILWAYMEN ORDERED TO CONTROL THE LINES. Petrograd, December £3. The Commissioners have ordered the railwaymen to take tho control of the railways into thoir own hands, and have abolished all high posts. Tho Commissioner's also ordered the stoppage of defonsive works on the Russian , front, and tho disbandment of the tecnuical staffs.—Reuter.

, HOW ASSISTANCE WAS GIVEN TO KALEDIN. (Rcc. December 24, 9.15 p.m.) Petrograd, December 23. Trotsky declares that documents found on Colonel Kolpashoukofi: after his arrest show that, while acting on a Red Cross mission, he assisted Kaledin's movements; also that Messrs. Anderson and Robins tried to furnish Kaledin with motors and other transport, as well as with money.—Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn. THE SPREAD OF , REVOLUTIONARY ENTHUSIASM KAISER AND EX-TSAR' MAY BE BROUGHT TO TRIAL. London, December i>3. Tho "Daily Chroniclo's" }'etrograd correspondent states that the Bolshfivild are convinced that revolutionary enthusiasm will spread in Western Europe. The extremist papers promise revolutions in Ireland, Germany, Switzerland, and elsewhere. A Bolshevik military committee is investigating the question of responsibility for the war, and believes that this will result in the trial of the ex-Tsar and lire liaise ,, , and others, before a tribunal consisting of representatives of rll the European democracies.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Afsn. SUCCESSFUL ATTACKS BY THE ITALIANS rNEMY'S PREPARATIONS FOR OFFENSIVE ACTION DISARRANGED HEAVY FALL OF SNOW IN THE MOUNTAINS London, December 23. An Italian official report rtates :—"ln spito of adverse atmospheric conditions in Monte Asolone region, we made progress, and repulsed a counter-attack."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Asaii.-Beuter. (Reo. December 24, 9.15 p.m.) Rome, December 23. Heavy snow lias fallen on the Setto Comuni Plateau and. the Grappa Ridge, but unfortunately the temperature is mild, and there is a possibility of rain, which would molt the snow. The Italians made / successful attacks betwenthe Brenta and the Cesilli Valley. The attacks synchronised with tho enemy's withdrawal cf worn-out troops and their replacement with fresh. The Italian initiative las disarianged tho enemy's preparations for the resumption of the offensive, and thoso preparations will now ho required for defence.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Asin. ENEMY BREAKS,THROUGH ITALIAN DEFENCES, ' COUNTER-ATTACKS, PROGRESSING SATISFACTORILY. (Rec. December 25, 11.30 p.m.) London, December 24. An Italian official report states: "The enemy yesterday morning, in the Busso-Monte Valbella sector, broke cur defences. We stopped him at our rear positions. Our counter-attacks are progressing satisfactorily. We drove the enemy to the left bank'of the Piave Vecchia, southward of Gradenimo."— Aus.-N.Z. Cable .Assn.-Reuter., " GERMAN OFFICIAL REPORT. 1 London, December 23. A German official report states:—"ltalian attacks in the afternoon and evening at Monte Asolone and tie heigbts to the west were unsuccessful."— Auu -N.Z. Cable Assn.-Reuter. CHAMBER OF DEPUTIES APPROVES CONTINUANCE OF WAR CONFIDENCE IN THE GOVERNMENT. > " Rome, December 23. Tho Chamber of Deputies pnesed n a voto of confidence in tho Government by 345 'votes to 50, and approved tho continuance of the war 1o a victorious conclusion.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assu. "RESISTANCE IS THE ONLY WAY TO SAFETY." , (Rec. December 24, 9.15 p.m.) Rome, December 23. i Speaking in the Chamber of Deputies upon the vote of confidence, the Premier, Signor Orlando, referring to a Socialist deputes advocacy of peace, said that Germany had never ppoken of euch a peace, and never mentioned the restoration or Belgium, whilo Austria had never shown any inteution of restoring the unredeemed portions of Italy. . Rather than accept a peace wbich would leave Austria in possession of Italian territory, the Italians would retreat fighting as far as Sicily. Moreover, a return to the status quo was impossible after tho immense sacrifices of tho war. Tho only way to safety was resistance.—Reuter.