BANKRUPT RUSSIA.

Northern Advocate, 29 December 1917, Page 3

BANKRUPT RUSSIA.

TRAFFIC REORGANISATION

CENTRAL POWERS' CUNNING

PEACE NEGOTIATIONS TOTTERING.

(Received 8.35 p.m.)

LONDON, Dec. 28. The "Morning Post's" Petrograd correspondent says that the Financial Commissary's report on Russia's finance shows that after six weeks' administration the Bolsheviks are forcr ed to admit that the State's resources are absolutely ruined. No State imposts have been coming in, the railways have ceased to be a source of income, and all other sources of income have dried up.

Field Headquarters has issued a communique after several weeks, during which time no operations have taken place on the northern front and fraternising has been plentiful. The communique indicates that at least two-thirds of the Russian lines are still in existence in the independent Ukraine government, which has annexed the responsibility of the defence of its sector against Germany.—A. and N.Z. AMSTERDAM, Dec. 28. Negotiations have begun for the restoration pf traffic in Russia by Austro-Germany, the latter hoping that food supplies from Russia will save the critical situation in Germany. The Russian delegates have replied to the peace terms, expressing gladness over the Central Powers' acceptance of no annexations and democratic peace, but deploring the reserve regarding the liberation of subject races. Russia proposes the creation of a special commission to study the question of the colonies deciding their own status. Russia asks for a suspension of the negotiations till January 4 to enable the other belligerents to consider the proposals with a view to ■joining in the pourparlers, which will then be resumed whether the other countries participate or not.—A. and N.Z. NEW YORK. Dec. 28. The "Daily New?" " Petrograd correspondent says tb-il the peace negotiations at Brest Litovsk appear to be doomed to collapse. Separate peace between Germany and Russia i 3 growing more improbable.—A. and N.Z.