ALLIES' RUSSIAN POLICY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVI, Issue 17140, 21 April 1919, Page 5

ALLIES' RUSSIAN POLICY.

STANDPOINT OF BRITAIN.

STABILITY OF GOVERNMENT.

WANING OF BOLSHEVISM. (Ecoeivcd 5.5 p.m.) A. and K.Z.-Rcutcr. LONDON. April 19.

Mr. Lloyd George, in his speech in the House of Commons, said that had we abandoned Admiral Koltchak, dictator under the All-Russian Government at Omsk, and General Deniken, the Cossack leader, to the Bolsheviks it would have been an act thoroughly unworthy of any great land. ' They had only asked to be supplied with arms. He did not regard that as in the least a departure from British fundamental policy. Our policy was to prevent the forcible irruption of Bolshevism into allied lands. Therefore we were organitiing all the forces in the allied countries bordering on territories from the Baltic to the Black Sea. If Bolsheviks attacked any of our allies it would be our business to defend them. We would not be passive as long as Russia was torn and rent by civil war. Our policy , was to induce the warring parties in Russia to meet to discuss the establishment of a commonly acceptable authority which the Allies could recognise as a Russian Government. He did not despair of a solution. There wore eve# now promising factors. Reliable information indicated that while the Bolshevik forces wero apparently growing in strength I Bolshevism itself was rapidly waning and breaking down before the relentless economical pressure. There were unmistakable signs that Russia was emerging, and when she was again sane and normal we should mako peace in Russia. Replying to an interruption by Mr. J. R. Clynes, the Prime Minister said the Government had had no approaches at all from the Russian Bolshevik Government. He had heard reports that others had proposals which they assumed to be authentic. These were never submitted to the Peace Conference by any member of the conference. Therefore the conference had not considered them. ANTECEDENT TO FEEDING. CESSATION OF HOSTILITIES. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Reed. 5.5 p.m.) PARIS. April 19. The Council of Four views favourably a proposal by Dr. Nansen, the Norwegian Arctic explorer, for feeding starving Russians on lines similar to the Belgium Relief Commission. The four Powers stipulate that the distribution must be solely ( under the control of the Russian people, and that the financing of the scheme must fall upon Russia. They admit the difficulty of the supply of ; transport, but believe that with the ' aid of neutrals this can be overcome. | It also is obvious that if the scheme is to be carried on there must be cessation of hostilities within definite lines. The Council of Four adds that relief to Russia which does not mean a return to peace would be futile, and could not be considered. Under these conditions the Allies were prepared to support Dr. Nansen's scheme. ON THE LIBAU FRONT. INTENSE FIGHTING ENSUES. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association (Reed. 5.5 p.m.) STOCKHOLM. April 19. Intense fighting iB taking place on the whole Libau front. The Bolsheviks are daily receiving many reinforcements. The Livonians lack food and munitions, and will be compelled to withdraw unless supplies arrive. The Letts have reached within nine miles of Riga, and anticipate its early recapture. The Bolsheviks were repulsed after four days' heavy fighting, in which they used heavy artillery and armoured cars, toward Mitau. - BOLSHEVIK RETIREMENT. WHOLE NORTHERN SECTOR. Australian and N.Z. Cablo Association. (Reed. 5.5 p.m.) ARCHANGEL. April 19. The Bolsheviks are retreating on the whole front. The Bolsheviks have evacuated Bolshieczerki, on the Archangel, front, from which the allied forces withdrew a week ago. A. and N.Z. PARIS. April 19. The Bolsheviks have occupied Sebastagor. ACTIVITY ON THE VOLGA. ANTI-BOLSHEVIK CAMPAIGN. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Reed. 5.5 p.m.) WASHINGTON, April 19. It is reported by the Russian Embassy from Omsk that an anti-Bol-shevik campaign is being opened with the object of occupying all the Volga territory. GEORGIAN ENDEAVOURSALLIED ACTION CONDEMNED. Australian and N.Z. Cablo Association. (Reed. 5.5 p.m.) PARIS, April 19. Tseretelli, a member of the Georgian delegation, interviewed, said i effective allied intervention in Russia was utterly impossible owing to i the size of the country. He disapproved of the allied support of General Deniken and Admiral Koltchak, who were really monarchists. The whole Georgian delegation was more anxious to save the country from General Deniken than from the Bolsheviks.

GERMAN TEOOPS IN lIBAU. GOVERNMENT OVERTHROWN. A. and N.Z. LONDON. April 18. German troops are reported to have seized Libau, overthrowing the I Lettish Government,