RUSSIAN CHAOS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17216, 19 January 1918, Page 7

RUSSIAN CHAOS

FIGHTING AT ODESSA. UKRAINIANS AND MAXIMALISTS. Router's Telegrams. LONDON, January 17. Petrograd telegrams report that the newspapers publish accounts of a pitched battle fought in the streets of Odessa between the Ukrainian troops and the Maximalist soldiers and sailors. The Ukrainians held the theatre and the Rada Building, and posted machine guns in t'he streets. The chief of the Red Guards was mortally -wounded. The ships in the roadstead opened firo on the town. Accounts differ, and it is uncertain wheither the Maximalists 'have taken the arsenal.

RUSSIA AND RUMANIA

THREAT TO ARREST KING FERDINAND.

Australian and N.Z. Cablo Association. WASHINGTON, January 17. The Bolsheviks are threatening to arrest the Rumanian King Ferdinand, and the order for his arrest has been signed.

ARREST OF RUMANIAN MINISTER,

REAL REASON FOR OUTRAGE.

PETROGRAD, January 17. (Received Jan. 18, at 7.40 p.m.) M. Diamandi, Rumanian Minister, was attending a New Year's dinner when the police arrived. M. Diamandi was immediately taken to the fortress prison of St. Peter and St.. Paul. No charge was formulated against him, but the real reason is that the Rumanians havo thrown an their lot with the Southern Union. M. Diamandi is well known for his Socialistic sympathies. When secretary of the Rumanian Legation at Berlin, he was forced to resign owing to pressure brought by the German Government.

CAPTURING THE RUSSIAN MARKETS.

BERNE, January 17,

The Germans have erected 400 trading booths on the Russian front. The Russian soldiers are so anxious to obtain playingcards that they readily barter their machine guns for a pack. EX-IMPERIAL FAMILY. * INQUIRY INTO RUMOURS. Router's Telegrams. PETROGRAD, Janinary 17. There is no confirmation of the frequently reported rumour that the ex-Czar and his family ha.ve escaped from Siberia, but the Administration is inquiring into the report.

FIGHTING IN UKRAINA.

BOLSHEVIK COMMISSIONERS'

DECISION

NEGOTIATIONS BROKEN OFF.

Renter's Telegrams. PETROGRAD, Jamiary 17, (Received Jan. 18, at 7.40 p.m.)

The Bolshevik Commissioners have resolved' to brealc off negotiations with the Ukrainian Ra<da, owing to the Rada's failure to reply to the question whether it would cease to support General Kaledin's followers. The commissioners declare that the Rada is solely responsible for the continuance of civil war.

SELF-DETERMINATION OF PEOPLES

TEUTON POSITION STATED.

NO WITHDRAWAL OF ARMIES.

Admiralty, per Wireless Press. LONDON, January 17. (Received Jan. 18, at 8.45 p.m.) A German message states that at the Brest-Litovsk negotiations on Monday von Ivuhlmann said the Russian proposals regarding the occupied regions were not acceptable, as they represented a one-sided Russian demand. Yon Ivuhlmann emphasised that peace with Russia was not connected with a general peace, as the Central Powers were compelled to continue the war against their other enemies. Regarding the constitutional organisation of the newly-created Sates, von Kulilinann quoted the United States Supreme Court decision that the United States sovereignty existed from the date of the Declaration of Independence, irrespective of Britain's recognition.

Von Kuhlmann affirmed that Austria and Germany did not intend to incorporate the occupied territories into their respective countries or to compel them to accept this or that form of State, but reserved a free hand for the conclusion of treaties of every kind. He said it was impossible to withdraw their armies during the war.

(Received Jan. 18, at 9.10 p.m.) Von Kuhlmann said the Central Powers were prepared to agree t-o the principle of a people's vote, but were opposed to a referendum, pointing out that Ukraine and Finland were created independent by resolutions of the National Assembly. An understanding between Russia and the Central Powers was impossible unless Russia- saw the question from the Central Powers' side instead of formulating dictatorial, one-sided aims.

BRITISH BOND-HOLDERS. GOVERNMENT TAKE OVER. RIGHTS. Router's Telegrams. LONDON, January 17. (Received Jan. 19, at 0.35 p.m.) In the House of Commons, Mr Bonar Law stated that he had arranged for the Treasury to take over the rights of British holders of Russian treasury bills maturing on the 28th in exchange for 3 per cent, exchequer bonds at par, with a currency of 12 years. " BAGGAGE USED TO TROUBLE ME. NOT NOW THOUGH." "How's that?" '' Because nowadays T pet tho Now Zealand Express Company (Limited) to chock it for me. I just tell them when and where lam going, and they call for my baggage, check it on, meet it on arrival, and deliver right away. Also, thev irene mo a ticket. I don't waste a bit of_ time, or bavo any bother. I do like their help."—Advt.

Tho paper used by tho Britsh and Foreign Bible Society for its cheap editions of the Scriptures cost just 2d per lb in pre-war times. To-day the prioo is Bd.

Twenty-five per cent, better. _ That's tho verdict on Watson's No. 10 Whisky. Lovely quality. —Advt.