NEWS FROM BREST LITOVSK

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 122, 9 February 1918, Page 7

NEWS FROM BREST LITOVSK

, _ A GERMAN REPORT \ VON KUHLMANN TAKES PEREMPTORY ATTITUDE By Telegraph-Press Associatioii-.Copiriirht. London, February 7. A German official account of Sunday's sitting of the Brest Litovsk Conference states that Trotsky demanded the withdrawal of the troops from Poland, to'enable a free expression of opinion to be given. Count Czeriiin protested against Trotsky's statement that it was impossible to negotiate with the Polish delegation because Poland had not fixed boundaries aud had not established an indepenent Government, Count Czernin pointed out that the same thing applied to Russia. .He added: "We have not come here for an intellectual wrestling match. The continuation of the discussion on Poland is" unprofitable." _.-. Dr.. yon .Kuhlmann peremptorily .closed;.the sitting, stating that'it was: impossible to follow Trotsky's dialects and apparent contradiction's, in which he first claimed independence for Poland and later denied Poland's right to be heard separately. He concluded by saying that unavoidable duties necessitated a short absence. The negotiations between the other Central Powers and Russia and the legal and economic commissions, could proceed—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Reuter. TROTSKY'S SILENCE EXPLAINED. ' London, .February 7. The absence of reports from Trotsky, writes the Stockholm correspondent of the "Morning Post,'' is explained by the. action of German agents in cutting the telegraph wires to suppress hews of German domestic troubles.— 'Aus.-NJZ. Cable Assn. HINT OF A NEW OFFENSIVE GERMAN PRESS COMMENT. . • ' Amsterdam, February 7. The "Kreuz Zeitung" hints that the Kaiser and his staff favour the send-' ing of a peace ultimatum to Russia, and in the' event of a refusal marching to Petrograd with the troops which are concentrated on the East front for the purpose. Other newspapers agree that a crisis is approaching, and hold that there is the smallest hope of a peace treaty being concluded. The "Lobal Anzeiger". asserts that decisions of the greatest importance are impending, with a mili-' tary demonstration, owing to the bad effect of the strikes in Austria and Germany upon Germany's military situation and foreign policy.—Aus.-N.Z. . Cable Assn. (Rec. February 8, 7.40 p.m.) ' Amsterdam, February 7. The "Anzeiger" states that momentous decisions which may be expected in a few days regarding the East front will, in effect, be different from the so-called peace negotiations at Brest Litovsk. The "Vorwaerts" uneasily demands the publication of these momentous decisions. The "North German Gazette!', semi-officiallv reports: ' "A condition of anarchy exists in Russia, where the majority detest but fear the Bolsheviki." It adds, significantly, on the authority of neutral travellers: "Nearly all the inhabitants say: 'We want the Germans to come; only they can help us.' "— Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. ARMISTICE EXPIRES. (Rec. February 8, 10.15 p.m.) ~;.'.■• Bc ™i February 7. Political circles in Berlin state that tho Central Power's' War Conference was mainly occupied with the question of the conclusion of \ peace with tho Ukraine, which the Government considers likely, though a settlement with M. Trotsky is improbable. In order to come to an agreement with the Ukraine it will bo necessary that Germany should not break the pourparlers at Brest Litovsk. Though the armistice expires to-day, it must r.ot be concluded that Germany is about to denounce it.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. THE UKRAINE PUZZLE AGREEMENT EVIDENTLY NOT lIEACHED. -, „„ „ . . Amsterdam, February 7. Ihe "Volkszeitung" states that the conference at Brest Litovsk will be resumed on 'February 7. The chief object of the Central Powers will be to conclude peace with the Ukraine.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. GENERAL ALEXIEFF REPORTED NORTHWARD MARCH. „.',.,.„ ,r , „■' .' Petrograd, February 7. General Alexieff (formerly Russian Chief of Staff and Generalissimo) is reported to be marching north. He has occupied a number of stations in the direction of Kharkoff and Voroness —Reuter. ~ (Rec. February 8, 10.40 p.m.) „ ■ ~. ,' , , , „ „ London, February 8. Heavy fighting preceded tho fall of Kicff. The Bolsheviki brought up 200 guns, and tho Ukrainians were forced to retreat, blowing up the Dnieper Bridge. General Kaledin's opposition to active operations against the Bolsheviki rather limits tho Cossacks' activities in defence of tliu Don district. It is reported that groat mi mbers of officers and soldiers have volunteered for Alnxioft's army. Many officers are joining as privates.—Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn. . "'" TROTSKY AND POLAND ' REFUSES TO RECOGNISE PRESENT GOVERNMENT. (Rec. February 8, 9.25 p.m.) Petrograd, February 7. M. Trotsky, replying to Dr. von Kuhlmann at Brest Litovsk on Sunday, agreed to acknowledge Polish independence, but refused to recognise tho Kounharshevsky Government because it was not representative of the Polish people.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

THE POLISH. LEGIONS.' (Rec. February 8, 9.25 p.m.) Potrograd, Februarv 6. Owing to the Polish legions threatening General Headquarters at 'Mohileff, the latter is transferring to Petrograd. Lett regiments which were sent to Mohileff refused to fight against the Poles. Any armed Polish officers taken prisoner will be handed over to the revolutionary tribunals, and in the event of resistance will be. liable to be shot without trial.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. REPORTED DEATH OF GRAND DUKE NICHOLAS UNDER MYSTERIOUS CIRCUMSTANCES. (Rec. February 9, 0.15 a.m.) London, February 8. . A telegram from Petrograd reports the death at Tashkend on February 3 of the Grand Duko Nicholas, Russian ex-Commander-in-Chief, under' mysterious circumstances. —Reuter. THE WAR IN FINLAND HOW 'ULEABORG WAS CAPTURED. London, February 7. • The "Morning Post's'' Stockholm correspondent reports that the White Guards' commander, General Mannerheim, after several days of regular trench warfare, followed by street fighting, has recaptured Ulea.borg. The town has-been greatly damaged by fire, and hundreds were killed on either ■ side. Tho Red Guards have decreed the death penalty for all White Guards taken prisoner.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. BOLSHEVIK VICTORY' CLAIMED. , Potrograd, February 7. A Bolshevik agency reports that the Red Guards have captured Tammerfors, in Finland, after a fierce battle, in which they defeated ■10 000 White Guards, commanded by General Mannerheim.—Reuter. ' BOLSHEVIK APPEAL TO SWEDEN. -~ . ~ ,„r • _, ~„ „ London, February 7. According to the "Morning Posts" Stockholm correspondent the Red Guards in Finland have appealed to Sweden to recognise the new Socialist . Government. Sweden will probably ignore the communication—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. ■ A MESSAGE FROM TROTSKY. ™ „,. . _ - , „ „,.,., , London, February 7. . The "Morning Post s" Stockholm correspondent states that Trotsky has sent a message: "Greetings to. the heroio working classes who are now wresting power from the bourgeoisie. The Finnish Republic is making itselfa model of Socialist autonomy. Long live our sister Socialist, Finland I"— Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. ' CIVIL WAR IN FULL SWING. : (Rec. February 8, 10.40 p.m.) -,„„.■„■„ , ' Stockholm, February 7. - -The White Guards at Wasa reportthat civil war is in full swing in Finland.' Twenty prominent.Helsingfors men were murdered. Properties and farms are daily burned, pillaged, and unarmed people killed, especially in the south-west. The capture of Kemi and Tornea is greatly to the advantage of the White Guards.—Reuter. BALTIC FLEET THREATENING HELSINGFORS. (Rec. February 9, 0.15 a.m.) m--, • ~ ~1, r. • Stookholm, February 7. The "Tidningen" states that the Russians are ousting the Finnish Maximalists from Helsingfors. Russian reinforcements are arriving, whilo the Baltic Fket is threatening Helsingfors from Sveaborg —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. ■ ■ •