RUSSIA

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LII, Issue 49, 26 February 1918, Page 5

RUSSIA

COMMISSARY RF/!DY TO CAPITULATE (Published in The Times.) PETROGiRAD, Feb. 24. Many non-Bolshevik Socialists favour guerilla warfare, believing that the proletariat of the Central Powers will yet rise. The Commissaries, however, plead that they must, like defeated strikers, accept" the enemy's terms and rescue the country and the revolution from ruin and exhaustion. The Commissaries are issuing a paridemoninm of decrees, proclamations, and exhortations, the first stating that the Germans intend to restore the landlords aiid hankers and the monarchy, and i calling upon all workers to enrol in the Red Army and expel from their, ranks arid wipe off the face of the eartli hooligans and cowards. 'Then, an hour later, they announce their readiness to accept the German terms. Perplexed peasants and soldiers are lrarrying luirk to their villages faster than ever, this meaning that the new national force must "necessarily be raised from the unemployed, whose increasing number, owing to the Bolsheviks policy of closing mills and factories, is becoming a serious danger. ENROLMENT OF VOLUNTEERS. f (Renter's Telegrams.) PETROGRAD, Feb. 4. The enrolment of volunteers to defend the capita! is proceeding rapidly. It is anticipated that 50,000 will be under arms in a few days. Besides soldiers who desire to fight special Socialist regiments are being formed from Esthonian, Lettish, and Mussulman regiments at Petrograd. ; Many women wish to take up arms against the Germans and supporters of Kaledin. The same thing is happening at Kieff, Moseow, and Pskov. 6EHMAN GDHbrfioiiS ACCEPTED AN OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENT. (Australian 'and lf.Z. Gable Aaaociation amd -Renter.) (Admiralty per Wireless-Press.) LONDON, Feb. 24. A Russian official message states that Lenin, and Trotzkv have sent a message to Berlin announcing Russia's acceptance of the Germans' peace cond:tions. They are sending a delegation to Brest Litdvek. TROTSKY STILL CON FIDENT. fAmtfraliao and N.Z. ©able Association) (Rec. Feb. 25; 8.50 a.m.) STOCKHOLM, Feb. 25. • Trotsky further interviewed profesa-

Ed to believe that the Bolsheviks were still able to carry on the revolution if a favourable peace is impossible. "We are not less determined on clafis war. We know how to make the war reach the German masses, despite the Imperialists.

fIaWS REFUSAL TO FIGHT STATEMENT BY LENIN. (Australian and N.Z. Cable -Association) PETROGRAD, Feb. 24Lenin, in urging acceptance of the Soviet papers, but ordered the managers German terms, stated that the retreating and demoralised army refused to fight. He declined to remain in a Government relying on mere phrases. The Commissaries suppressed antito continue to pay the wages of the staffs. Wild panic has seized the Seventh and Eleventh Armies, which are retreating in disorder. Trotsky, in an interview, declared : "We have no army. It has* been in a state of rebellion for three months. The cowards continued to live. in the trenches, but waited for the first opportunity to escape.

FIFTY MILES A DAY ■GERMAN ADVANCE ON PETROGRAD. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association LONDON, Feb. 25. The Morning Post says the Germans are moving on Petrograd at the rate of fully 50 miles a day by motor car dashes, capturing everything and spreading panic eastwards. Specialist troopers are acting as advance guards, supported by aeroplanes. Small bodies of specialists dash right through the principal towns, often without attracting notice, and then cut the railways, and stop the roads beyond, thus presenting the withdrawal of any war material. Other Germans then follow, and secure all the booty intact. Their main difficulty is to destroy the hooligan crowds of criminals or wandering soldiers who seize the opportunity, with cries of "kill the bourgeoisie,' to run amok in the townships, pillaging and killing men, violating women, and carrying off girls. The hooligans a,re all armed, and cause fires, so that the Germans shoot them on sight. Owing to the hooligans, many towns welcome the arrival of the Germans. Meanwhile the Lenin Government has proclaimed a holy war, and calls upon men from 17 to 55 to defend the country, but practically all the artillery has now been captured, and there are enough German prisoners with officers at Petrograd to deal with the extremists when Germany gives the word. The Germans at present are not seeking to reach Petrograd, which would be merely spectacular. They are driving at lightning speed reach the railways about Bologdi, midway between Petrograd and Moscow. The Grand Duke of Hesse has been appointed commander-in-chief of the Riga section of the German front, because his sister, the ex-Empress Alexandra. as guardian of the Czarevitch is the favourite German candidate for the Russian throne. It is certain that Nicholas will not accept the throne from the Germans. DEPARTURE OF DIPLOMATS (Australian and N.Z. ©abla Association) PETROGRAD, Feb. 24. The Japanese and American Embas and the Chinese, Siamese, and Brazilian Missions left on Saturday, going to Piatka, If necessary they will reside in Siberia or at Vladivostok. Many centres report the formation of revolution detachments composed of soldiers and civilians. THE AALAND ISLANDS. (Renter's Telegrams.) STOCKHOLM, Feb. 24. An agreement has been reached for the evacuation of the Aaland Islands by the Russian and Finnish troops. A Swedish force has gone to the island tu maintain order. : PALESTINE CAPTURE OF. JERICHO. (AnnfraL'an aj»i N.Z. Cable Association i. LONDON, Feb. 25. Mr W. T. Massey states that the capture of Jericho was a most brilliant feat. The Australian and New Zealand mounted troops moved eastward over the hills, threatening the enemy's rear. It was most difficult country, and they were help up for a considerable time in a defile where (Jnly two could pasa abreast. The enemy brought several guns to bear on this point, but when darkness fell with the Anzacs in such commanding position.'?, the Turks fled east. The Anzac cavalry entered Jericho in the morning. CANADA NATIONALIST VICTORY. I Australian and N.Z. ©able Association) CRv. 26. 9.15 a.m.) OTTAWA, Feb. 25. As a result, of the soldiers' vote at Home and overseas, the Government majority has 'been increased to 60. The parties now stand Unionists, 147. Opposition. 87.

GERMAN AND AMERICAN LABOUR | STRAIGHT ANSWER BY MR GOMPERS. (Australian and N.Z. ©able Association) (Rec. Feb. 26, 8.50 a.m ) NEW YORK, Feb. 25. Mr Samuel Gompers (President of the American Labour Federation) received a message from the head < f German trade unions, inviting American .Labour to discuss peace. Mr Gompers replied : We cannot talk now. Either you smash your autocracy, or we will smash it for you. MB GOMPERS' ACTION SUPPORTED. (Rec. Feb. 26, 8.50 a.m.) WASHINGTON, Feb. 25. Th e American workers unanimously approve °f Gompers' refusal to discuss peace with the German workers. The invitation was .received 1 through the Dutch Labour leader, who reported that similar invitations Juvi been sent to the British and French Labour leaders. Mr Gompers points out that thi> Germans wouid not allow a, delegate to leave Germany, unless he was a *,ool of the autocracy. America won.d gladly attend an .Allied Labour Con iereit-e for the purpose of speeding i.p the war. GHRMkNY'S FOOD SUPPLY EFFECT OF AMERICA'S REGENT ACTION. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association) (Rec. Feb. 26, 8.50 a.m.) NEW YORK, Feb. 25. The War Trade Board announces that as a result of the American embargo on food, exports from northern' European neutrals to Germany will be cut down 65 to 85 per cent. Other additional restrictions are expected further to increase the acut e food shortage. SUBMARINES ANOTHER SPANISH ;SHIP SUNK. (Australian and N.Z. ©able Association) LONDON, Fen. 24. A Madrid wireless message .-ti tes '„nat the Spanish ship Marcospio, iiom New York, was torpedoed 200 miles iioin the Canaries. The steamer Claude Lopez saw the submarine fire 40 rounds, sinking the vessel. The Claude Lopez rescued the. crew.

Th 6 Spanish new-spapers are indign&rit, and demand the breaking off of relations with Germany. FOOD SITUATION IN ENGLAND. RATIONING OF LONDON. (Published in The Times.] LONDON, Feb. 24. The experiment of rationing London's ten million people will start to-morrow, and it is anxiously awaited. Long queues are securing the necessary tickets. There were also enormous queues throughout the day at butchers' and grocers' 'shops, endeavouring to increase their stocks before rationing bej comes effective. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association) LONDON, Feb. 25. In connection with rationing, the problem of soldiers on leave has been satisfactorily solved by a special meat ration of eight ounces daily. It has been found impossible to allow heavy workers a bigger ration without unduly restricting the whole population, but an additional allowance for heavy workers is regarded as the first necessity when supplies increase. COMMENTS ON THE RESULT. (Rec. Feb. 26, 8.50 a.m.) LONDON, Feb. 25. The Daily Telegraph's Labour Correspondent, in criticising the Inter-Al-lied Socialist Conference says it is doubtful whether all the delegates _will endorse the application of the findings to the claims of their own nationalities. The Independent Labour Party refused to participate because it was proposed to exclude separate Socialist representation from future international meetings. American 1 Labour intimated that the time had not come to parley with the enemy. Finally the absence of the Dominions' delegates was deplorable. They could have been represented. Most important are their opinions upon the future possession of the German colonies. The Dominions have given the best* of their manhood and had every right to be consulted on a matter, so vitally concerning their future existence. THE NAVY ESTIMATES. PROVISION FOR 450,000 MEN. (Published in The Times.) LONDON, Feb. 24. The Navy Estimates provide for 450,000 men. MUNITIONS EXPLOSION IN ITALY THREE PERPETRATORS EXECUTED. (Australian and N.Z. Sable A»»«ci»ti»n} (ROME, Feb. 24. In connection with the blowing up of the Cengie Dynaoig factory in February, 1916, the three perpetrators of the act,' Galti, Pejazzaho, and Lagzette, were shot. THE ITALIAN CHAMBER. CONFIDENCE VOTED IN THE GOVERNMENT. (Published in Tb* Tunosi ROME, Feb. 24. The Chamber adopted a motion of confidence in the Government by 340 to 44. LONDON TO ROME. BRITISH AIRMAN S FLIGHT. (Australian and N.Z. Gablo Association) 1 ROME, Feb. 24. A British military aeroplane flew from London to Rome. It descended at Paris, Lyons, 'Marseilles, and Pisii. THE BRITISH LIBERALS. AND THE COMING ELECTION. (Australian sad N.Z. Association) LONDON. Feb. 24. Mr Asquith (Leader of the Liberal Party), addressing Liberal agents on the necessity of preparing for a _ general election when the new register, doubling the number of votes, was completed. said the Liberal Party was not going to be obliterated or merge its identity in a new embryonic political combination. Its continued independent activity was never more necessary, as the multiplied and complicated ' problems of peace and reconstruction would soon confront us.

MAJOR JOHN RICHMOND CfIWLES, M.G —<ai* Further particulars have just been received of the death of Major Cowles on the "Western, front in December last. Major Cowles was well known in Wellington. He came, from Nelson to join the firm of Thomas Cbok and Sons, afterwards being in the employ of John Duthie and Co. On the outbreak of war, in 1914, he at once enlisted for active service. .He had previously be longed to the Wellington College Rifles, winning the Ranfurly Cup for shooting, and becoming sergeant. He then joined the sth Regiment (Wellington), and was promoted lieutenant, which rank he held in the Samoan Expedition. At A.pia, he was one of the company that underwent the trying experience of marching along the beach in sight of the guns of the Scharnhost and Gneisenau, which happily did not open fire upon them. He also commanded the party which took possession of Valima, the old home of R. L. Stevenson, then occupied by the Governor of Samoa. On the return of the Samoan expedition, Lieutenant Cowles joined the Rifle Brigade, subsequently being promoted to captain of D Company, Ist Battalion, and left for Egypt in October, 1915. The Ist and 2nd Battalions of the Rifle Brigade were sent to the west frontier of Egypt, where they received their baptism of fire fighting three battles in the Mesra 'Matruh district against the Senussi Arabs. These battalions then joined the 3rd and 4th, and proceeded to the French front as one bn cade, in charge of Lieutenant-Colonel J. A. Cowles. Captain Cowles fought with his company in the Somme campaign ,and received the (Military Cross, in recognition of very effective raiding on the enemy trenches, when he was fortunate enough to bring all his men back with only seven wounded. Captain Cowles was then promoted major and sent to Aldershot for ten ' weeks' special training in his new duties On his return to France in 1917 i Major Cowles took charge of classes i for the training of officers, in which he was very successful, finally taking full command of the New Zealand Division Officers' Training School at Etaples. At that time he was second in command of the Ist Battalian N.Z.R.8., but in November last he was posted to command, the 4th. Battalion, and proceeded to the front in Belgium. iStrenous operations were being carried on, with heavy ar- ! tillery fire ,and trench fortification was ' carried on mostly at night. On 25th ! November it was reported that Major j Cowles arid his runner had not returned ! from an inspection by night of some I work then in progress. A search party i found them lving in the hole made by the shell which had killed them both. The major lies buried in the military cemetery a few miles from Ypres. His death was much regretted by his battalion, and by all who knew him_; his efficiency as a soldier and his geniality as a man making him a general favourite : The following letter from Major-General Sir A. H. Russell, K.C.M.G., bears testimony to the respect in which he was held :■ — ' '29 th November, 1917. "Dear Mr Cowles, —We are all very sorry indeed that your son, Major Cowles, has been killed. He had made a reputation as a soldier that his family may well be proud of, as is the whole division. I am not exaggerating when I sav that he was one of the mosT" promising and useful officers in the infantry. Both in action and as an instructor for voung officers he was outstanding. I am sure General Fulon will have told you of his many good, qualities. I' am } not able to write from personal know- | ledge of all those whom this war is tak- ! ing from us, but ot your son I can, as of ! one of whom I had formed a very high | opinion indeed, botK as an officer and a ! man. With sincere sympathy, Yours ! very truly.—A H. Russell."