GREAT PORTION OF BALTIC FLEET LEFT FINLAND.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LV, Issue 16823, 13 April 1918, Page 7

GREAT PORTION OF BALTIC FLEET LEFT FINLAND.

SQUADRON OF MANY VESSELS REACHES KRONSTADT. LITTLE OPPOSITION SHOWN TO GERMAN DEMANDS. Renter. (Received 10.10 p.m.) PETROGRAD, April 12. The first squadron of tho Russian Baltic fleet, composed of battleships and cruisers, has arrived at Kronstadt from Helsingfors. A second squadron, comprising torpedo-boats and submarines, are reported off Kronstadt. A third squadron of transports, armed merchantmen, and obsolete torpedo-boats left Helsingfors last night. The total number of vessels to have left is 200. Reuter. LONDON, April 11. Advices from Petrograd state that 30 destroyers, 40 submarines, and 50 transports remaining at Helsingfors were disarmed, as it was impossible) to remove them. A small German force landed at Lovisa, between Helsingfors and Viborg. A German squadron with transports is reported to be on its way to Lovisa. The probable intention of the Germans is to march north and cut the Helsingfors-Viborg railway. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. WASHINGTON, April 11. Semi-official advices state that Germany has ordered Russia to dismantle her fleet. The Russians are not resisting the orders. Replying to Germany's demand for the conclusion of peace with the Ukraine the Government has informed Germany that it sent a wireless message to Kieff on April 4 proposing that peace negotiations should begin on April 6. COPENHAGEN. April 11. General Mannerheim, the German leader of the Finnish White Guards, in a proclamation to the Finnish army, fulsomely eulogises the Kaiser, the German army, and the people, and concludes by welcoming Germany's brave fighters. He hopes that every Finnish soldier will prove that he appreciates the noble German peoples' sacrifices at a time when they need every man for their own war.