RUSSIAN SITUATION

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVII, Issue 10847, 12 March 1921, Page 8

RUSSIAN SITUATION

LENIN EXPLAINS

PEASANT CLASS MUST BE CONSIDERED. A DIFFICULT POSITION. By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright Australian and N.Z Oblo Association. LONDON. March 10. A wireless message from Moscow states that the All-Russian Congress opened on Tuesday. Lenin, in his address. admitted, that mistakes had been made in the food distribution, while the fuel crisis was due to trying to restore industrial life on too large a scale. They had over-estimated the transition from war to peace economics. The most important question at present was the relation between the workers and the predominating peasant clans. The international situation was defined by the exceedingly slo.v development of the world revolutionary movement, and they could not consider its speedv victory a premise of their policy. Therefore, in view of this fact, the Soviet Government had raised the question of the necessity of an agreement with tiie Bourgeoisie Governments, and the granting of concessions to foreigners.. Lenin minimises the Kronstadt incident, but says it compels the Government to consider seriously the internal situation. The Soviet must meet the desires of the peasants, who consider the State demands too great sacrifices. Similarly, concessions must be rnado to the industrialists. I.cnin emphasised the. difficulties that the dictatorship of the proletariat met with in Russia, which he describes as a pretty bourgeoisie country. WILL SOVIET PREVAIL? POWER IS GRADUALLY DECLINING. (Receiver March 11, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, March 10. The ‘‘Daily Telegraph's’’ Berlin correspondent says that official circles believe that the Soviet will pyercomo the Kronstadt insurrection without difficulty. (Received March 11, 5.5 p.m.) PARIS. March 10. M. Maklaoff, the lasir Russian Ambassador to Rgris, states that while he is unable to guarantee the Soviet’s fall thi'bngh the present rising, the latest information intimated chat the Soviet’s power was gradually declining. KERENSKY PLEASED . BIG THINGS EXPECTED. LONDON, March 10. Wie “Star” states that Kerensky is in London, and is in touch with the officials of the Foreign Alffice. He conveyed the impression that he is highly pleased with the course the counterrevolution is taking, end is confident that in a few weeks the opposition to Lenin and Trotsky will assume a formidable character. Kerensky claims that he does not represent the. reactionary forces, hut the adherents . of constitutional government of Russia. DEFENCE OF PETROGRAD TROTSKY DIRECTING A FORTRESS. (Received March 11, 5.5 p.m.) STOCKHOLM, March 10. Helsingfors reports confirming the statement that the Soviets‘recaptured Krasnaigorka state that Trotsky is directing a fortress, the guns .of which are able to defend Petrograd from the Kronstadt fire. FORTS CAPITULATE LONDON, March 10* Official circles in London have received reports of the capitulation, of " the Pskofr fortress, and also the Bologoy fortress, between -Petrograd and Moscow. THE LATEST NEWS GREAT ACTIVITY EVERYWHERE. PabUahad In "Th* Time*. - (Received March 12, 12.40 a.m.) LONDON, March 10. The “Times” Riga correspondent states that a Bolshevik wireless message admits that the situation of the forces in Gatschina, Krasnoeselo, and Oramenbauin .is worse. The Kronstadt troops axe advancing, and the Bolsheviks are retreating thirteen miles. A regiment of “Red” cavalry is defecting. The revolutionaries assert that food and clothing has arrived at Kronstadt by the sea from "Western Europe. The negotiations at the RusaoPolisb Peace Conference have ceased. Abo reports that there is a ferment throughout Russia. Petrograd has been badly damaged as the result of the artillery duel. A Reval message states that 40,000 troops are marchipg on Petrograd. Their loyalty is doubtful. A Chinese detachment was wiped out. There is heavy fighting around the capital. Touchatchofske, the “Red” general, commenced a vigorous offensive on the Petrograd front on the 9th, *and suffered severe losses.

Kronstadt is an armed camp, and is seething with activity. There are 40,000 soldiers and sailors there. Their morale ie excellent. Thy have a plentiful supply of ammunition and mines. A wireless message states that they, will win or perish. Apparently Moscow is in a sorry plight. Twenty thousand labourers are striking. There is no food, and all transport is employed in carrying troops. Lenin, at a meeting of the Central Communist Committee, proposed a Coalition Cabinet of Socialist Sovieters. The proposal was rejected, Trotsky issued urgent orders to send the whole south-west army to Moscow. The Commissar telegraphed that he could not trust the troops, and demanded special instructions.