JUMBLED RUSSIAN AFFAIRS

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIII, Issue 9902, 22 February 1918, Page 5

JUMBLED RUSSIAN AFFAIRS

DR KUHLMANN EXPLAINS GERMAN GOVERNMENT'S ATTITUDE CESSION' OF KHOLM NECESSARY TO SECURE PEACE WITH THE UKRAINE. Australian and New Zealand Cable Association. (Received Fobniarv 21, 5.20 p.m.) AMSTERDAM, February 20. Hr. von Kublmann, German Foreign Minister, addressing the Reichstag Committee, stated that Russian appeals for help are daily more numerous and urgent. Germany could not tolerate the destruction of young Finland and 1 th"o outrages in Lithuania and Esthonia. nor permit the Bolsheviks to carry out their threats against the Ukraine. Tho cession of Kholm (in Russian Poland) had created a bad impression, but it was the only decision jjossible without blocking peace with the Ukraine. Tho Austrian Premier had declared that Kholm would not be ceded to the Ukraine, but a mixed commission of Poles and Ukrainians would consider _ the matter otlmographically, and if necessary the boundaries would be removed eastwards. BOLSHEVIKS THREATEN BRITISH AND AMERICANS WITH REPRISALS Published in “The Times.” (Received February 21 8 p.m.) > LONDON, February 20. ' The Russian press states that tho Bolsheviks will assumo freedom of action towards British residents in Russia if the British Government withholds official acknowledgement of Litvinoff (the Bolshevik Envoy in London). They,... also threaten energetic repressive measures against British and Americans unless the pressure causing the closing of the Manchurian border' "ia" removed. i ■ • RUSSIANS ROB HELSINGFORS STATE BANK RED GUARDS KILL AND STRIP .WAR PRISONERS. Published in ‘‘The Times.” (Received February 21, 8 p.m.) , LONDON, February 30. It is reported from Helsingfors that all tho money in the State bank lias been stolen and sent to Petrograd for the purchase of arms and provisions. ' « • ' ’ f: The Russians systematically loot tho homes of all residents not favouring the'revolution, .and resistors are shot. _ ‘ 5 ■■ v Rod Guards continue killing and stripping war prisoners. Many nakedcorpses have been found. i EX-CZAR DESIRES TO GO TO FRANCE OR ENGLAND Published in “The Time a.” (Received February 21, 8 p.m.) . PETROGRAD, February 20. A group of Grand Dukes and Ducbossos have petitioned’ the Bolshevik Government to permit the ex-Czar and family to take refuge'in Franco . or,, England. , - AUSTRIA’S JUSTIFICATION FOR INVASION OF THE UKRAINE Australian and New Zealand Cable Association. (Received February 21, 8.20 p.m.) AMSTERDAM, February 20. A semi-official Austrian statement, evidently intended to justify tho it* vasion of tho Ukraine, says that the revolt in the Ukraine is purely a political pretext for Bolshevik marauder's, who are plundering, murdering, and i burning. Many are utilising armed motors and armoured trains. Their swiftness hitherto prevented the Rada’s troops from coping with ' the marauders. Immediate action by the Central Powers was imperative." l . • A UKRAINIANS AND BOLSHEVIKS FIGHT AT ODESSA FORMER BOMBARD" AND SHELL TOWN. ' Australian and New Zealand Cable Association. (Received February 31, 8.20 p.m.) . PETRiOGEAD', February 20. . ’ There has been two days’ fighting st-'-Odessav between the Ukrainians "M: and Bolsheviks. Ukrainian aeroplanes and ships bombarded! and fired over five hundred shells on the town. There were many casualties, PROPOSED SIGNING OF PEACE BY BOLSHEVIKS BOLSHEVIKS’ BRITISH ENVOY ASTONISHED. Australian and New Zealand Cable Association. * . LONDON, February 20. M. Litvinoff, the Bolshevik Envoy in London, interviewed, said ho was astonished at tho announcement that Russia was signing a German peace. Ho did regard! the report unfavourably, but withheld judgment until he was in possession of full details. GERMANY’S DEMAND FOR TERRITORIAL ACQUISITION Australian and New Zealand Cable Association, PETROGRiAD, February 20. There are indications that Trdtsky has already replied to Germany's peace demands, which included tho retention of Poland l , Lithuania, and Moon Islands, and the payment of an indemnity of 800 millions sterling. Probably the indemnity will be reduced by half. COMPLETE DISORDER IN PETROGRAD ITALIAN AMBASSADOR HELD UP AND ROBBED, Australian and New Zealand Cable Association. COPENHAGEN, February 20. It is reported that Kerensky has arrived at Christiania.. An attempt te assassinate Rodzianko, ex-Presidcnt of tho Russian Duma, failed. A group of officers endeavoured to stop his carriage in South Russia, and fired several shots, which injured Rodzianko and a companion, but both escaped. Complete disorder continues in Petrograd. Machine-guns are hoard in all quarters during the night, and there are many murders, garrottings, and' robberies. ’ The Italian Ambassador, while driving in a sleigh, was held up by three armed men, who took his fur coat and valuables. RUSSIAN SOLDIERS TO CONFER WITH ENEMY SOLDIERS REMARKABLE SUGGESTION BY KRYLENKO. Admiralty—Per .Wireless Press. ! ' LONDON, February 20. A Russian official report states that Ensign Krylenko, tbe Bolshevik Commander-in-Ohief, has ordered tho army to organise massed pourparlers with 'German soldiers. If the Germans will not refrain.from fighting,-the utmost resistance should he offered. REVOLUTIONARY FORCES ADVANCE UPON ROSTOFF A GENERAL AND AN ARCHBISHOP KILLED. (Published in the ‘‘Times.’’) . , PETROGRAD, February 19. Tho Bolsheviks claim that large revolutionary forces are advancing upon Rostoff from tho Caucasus and that Alexieff lias fled to Novo Chertask. General Ivanoff and Archbishop Vladimir were killed in the fighting at the Petchersky Monastery. FIGHTING IN THE AALAND ISLANDS Australian and New Zealand Association. ' COPENHAGEN, February 20. , Tlie White Guards, after a violent defeat in the Aaland Islands, fleef across tho ice and took refuse aboard vessels of the Swedish Expedition. Another Swedish Expedition left for tlie Aaland Islands on. Monday, carrying soldiers, who will form a guard on the island for the duration of the war. UKRAINIAN TREATY “A MERE SCRAP OF PAPER’ 1 MUST BE SIGNED WITH GERMAN BLOOD TO BE EFFECTIVE, Australian and New Zealand Oaoie ns^or-ia-iion, LONDON, February 20. Tho “Daily Chronicle’s” Amsterdam correspondent states that the sign* ing of the Ukrainian peace is already the subject Of a film scene, and is facing shown in tho German cinema theatres. The “Vorwaerts” declares that tho troatv is a mere scrap of paper, and can only be made effective when it is signed again with German blood. The separation of North Russia-from the Ukraine i/rnerelv momentary, and thei cannot bo kept separate by foreign, bayonets*