THE GERMAN ADVANCE

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 136, 26 February 1918, Page 7

THE GERMAN ADVANCE

FIFTY-MILE DASHES BY MOTOR-CAR,

(Roc. February 25, 8.30 p.m.)

London, February 25,

The "Morning Pest" correspondent states: "Tho Germans are moving on Petrograd by motor-car dashes attho rate of fully fifty miles a day, capturing everything and spreading panic eastwards. Specialist troopers, acting as advance guards are supported by aeroplanes. Small bodies of specialists dash right through the principal towns, often without attracting notice, then cut the railways and block the roads beyond, thus preventing the withdrawal of any war material. Other Germans then follow and secure all the booty intact. Their main dilliculty is to destroy the hooligan crowds nf criminals or wandering soldiers, who seize the opportunity with cries: 'Kill the bourgeoisie!' to run amok in the townships, pillaging, killing men, violating women, and carrying off girls. - The hooligans are all armed, and cause fires, so the Germans shoot them on sigH. Owing to the activities of these hooligans many towns welcome the arrival of the Germans. Meanwhile the Lenin Government has proclaimed a holy war. and calls on men from 17 to 55 to defend their country, but practically all the artillerv has nofr been captured, and there are enough German prisoners with officers in Potrograd to deal with the, extremists when Germany gives the word. The Germans at present are not peeking to teach Petrograd, which would be merely a spectacular move. They are driving with lightning speed to reach the railways pbmit Bologdi. midway between Petrograd and Moscow. TV _ Grand Duke of Hesse has been appointed Commander-in-Chief of tho Riga section of the German front brwr.o ln's sister, tho ex-Empress Alexandra, as guardian of the Tsarevitoh. is the favourite German candidate for the Russian throne. It is certain that tV ex-Tsar Nicholas will not accept the throne from the Germans.—'Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn,