SOVIET AIMS

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVI, Issue 10523, 26 February 1920, Page 6

SOVIET AIMS

PEACE WITH THE WORLD

DESIRE FOR ECONOMIC AD-

VAN CEMENT.

NO MILITARISTIC AMBITIONS

TROTSKY ON RECONSTRUCTION.

By Telegraph—Press Assn.— Copyright Australian and K i. Cable Association. Received February 2-3, 0.23 p.m.) NEW YORK, February 25.

The “New York World’s” Moscow correspondent interviewed Trotsky, who ea-u:—uur mllicary successes nave nor uiu.accl us to tuo need or peace ror the

ot economic slamluy. Vv o mu o ueeu loieeii ic sucriuee tnc uuinuo ul our people ami ramie genora'iroiis to tue uesperaue neea m tne hour. We have vransloruied ru tue past eigiuecn mourns it peace-loving population ot workers and peasants into an armed camp. Uur peace terms neveruielem remain the same. “Tho recouscr urn-ion or Russia is a tremendous enterprise which will require perhaps ten years. Russia's riches are intact, and the nation which will help us to gam a peace tooting will share tue prohts resulting trom the aid they have extended to us. .f oreign capitalists who invest money in Russia will receive material guarantees of an adequate character, it is ridiculous to think Germany can control Russia and to say tiermany has a better chance •than the Allies in our markets. The foot; is we cannot possibly expect economic assistance from Germany. It is obvious we must look towards the victorious nations such as Britain and United States for machinery and agricultural implements. “Ludicrous lies have been spread that the ‘Red’ army is militaristic. It is anti-militaristic. Nine-tenths of us are workers, peasants and pacifists, and the other tenth are soldiers and officers who served under the Czar. Immediate demobilisation is obligatory with us as soon as hostilities against us cease. The workers and peasants will insist on returning to the factories and farms and make Russia a fit land to live in. The frontier guards will then only be maintained. There will also be some form of military training for the working classes in order that they may be always able to defend themselves against the bourgeois©. ”

ALLIES' DECISION. “BEDS” MUST MEND THEIR WAYS. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Received February 25, 10.50 p.m.) LONDON, February 24. Tne Allies have decided that they are unable to enter into diplomatic re-' lartaons with the Soviet until convinced that the Bolshevik horrors have ended and die Government is prepared; to conform to 'the practices of civilised Governments. Meanwhile the Allies are willing to encourage to the utmost com-, merce between Russia and Europe. They welcome the proposal of a Labour bureau, and the League of Nations will send a Commission to examine Russian condi tious. THE RUSSIAN WAR REVOLUTION AT MURMANSK. BOLSHEVIKS ATTACK FUGITIVE VESSEL. tustralian and N.Z. Cable Association. LONDON, February 24. The Russian steamer Lamonsdoff with iwo British, and four Belgian officers H charge, has arrived at Vardo, Norvay, Irom Murmansk. They state that a revolution broke out in Murmansk on Saturday, and the Bolsheviks seized, the town, and shipping except the La—mondsoff, which escaped under fire. The steamer was riddled by machine-gun fire and the captain was badly wounded. VOLUNTEERS RECAPTURE ROSTOV. An*, and N.Z. Cable Asan. and Boater. LONDON, February 24. The War Office announces that the Volunteer Army on the 20th recaptured Rostov and took fifteen hundred* prisoners, twenty guns, and a quantity of war material. A LATER REPORT. Published in “The Times." (Received February 25, 11. 5p.m.) LONDON, February 24. A Moscow wireless message states that the Bolsheviks recaptured Rostov after two days’ street fighting and drove the enemy across the Don. * ARMISTICE WITH CZECHS. Reuter. (Received February 2-3, 11.5 p.m.) LONDON, February 25. A Vladivostok message dated the 12th states that the Soviet Army defeated General Rappel, entered Irkutsk and concluded an armistice with the Czechs. GERMAN - PLAN~TO INVADE POLAND. Reuter. (Received February 25, 11.5 p.m.) COPENHAGEN, February 21. I/itvino£F asserts that Germany is entertaining a plan to involve Poland in a war with Soviet Russia with a view to taking the opportunity of reconquering the lost eastern, provinces.