RUSSIA NEAR FINAL CATASTROPHE.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue LXXIV, 13 May 1918, Page 7

RUSSIA NEAR FINAL CATASTROPHE.

f - GERMAN OCCUPATION OF PETRO- • GRAD AND MOSCOW FEARED.

IMPOSSIBLE DEMANDS PURPOSELY SUBMITTED.

(Received May 13, 12.55 p.m.) LONDON, May 12. me Times correspondent at Moscow states that Russia again seems dangerously near to final catastrophe. The cry here is that the Germans will shortly occupy Petrograd and Moscow. This is based on the belief that the Bolsheviki dictators will not yield to the series of German ultimatums, or that submission has been made purposely impossible. The people now recognise that it is only the German will which counts, and some would welcome the invasion, hoping that it would terminate the present chaos. __ The German Ambassador's demands include the immediate return of all German prisoners; the restoration of order, for which purpose the Soviet forces are considered insufficient; and the surrender of Fortino, which is connected with Kronstadt's system of fortifications. The Commissaries are bitting in constant session and sending protests to Berlin, which remains uncompromising. , It is stated thaf two German divisions from Pskov will occupy Petrograd unless the Soviet submits".—Times.