RUSSIA'S PROBLEMS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17320, 21 May 1918, Page 5

RUSSIA'S PROBLEMS

BOLSHEVIKS' SINISTER PURPOSE, j i GERMAN MERCANTILE PROP A- I GANDA. I Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. LONDON, May 18. The latest advices from Petrograd give a deplorable account of the conditions of life m that city. There is very little food, and the official rations are 6caxcely enough to sustain existence; consequently theft and fraud are rampant. The small quantity 6f provisions in private hands leads to extortionate profiteering. Hams cost £50 each, and a single egg 3s. The city generally is going to wrack and ruin. Vladimir Bourbeff, a famous Russian revolutionary, recently released from the Petrograd Fortress, has arrived at Stock holm. In a message to the Daily Chronicde he sums up the causes of Russia's debacle, attributing it to republican weakness and Bolshevik vindictiveness. The Bolsheviks had the purpose which Kerensky lacked. Botrrbeg firmly believes that the Bolsheviks always intended to sell Russia, in order to have leisure to organise an Anarchist propaganda. He adds: "The Germans, even in Bolshevik Russia, are calmly buying up banks, estates, ships, and railways. The Bolsheviks appointed Ganetsky to nationalise the Petrograd banks. Ganetsky is a notorious German agent, and was once caught red-handed." Bourbeff eaye that he and other revolutionaries now perceive that the revolution has been a calamity. ALLIED HELP ADVOCATED. TO PREVENT GERMAMSATTON. PARIS, May 18. The entire French press urges an early combined allied effort to solve the Russian problem, and prevent Germany from reorganising Russia in Germany's interests. Le Temps says that the first necessity is a coherent method. It euggeeta that the Entente begin by getting coherent information by centralising and examining aJI news from Russia, for which purpose Washington would be the most suitable centre. EASTERN SIBERIA SEMINOFFS INFLUENCE EXTENDING. WASHINGTON, May 18. Information has reached [Russian diplomatic circles that General Seminoff's forces are moving on Irkutsk steadily, and it is expected they will soon reach Lake Baikal, which would remove the control of Siberia east of the lake from the Soviet Government at Moscow. SITUATION IN FINLAND. OPPOSITION TO GERMANY CRUSHED. LONDON I , May 18. The Morning Poet's Stockholm correspondent says that three leading Rec . Guard generals were executed at Helsing fors yesterday. The rebellion in Finlanc ; may be considered ended. > > MUTINIES IN GERMAN REGIMENTS STERN MEASURES SUCCEED. Reuter'* Telegrams. MOSCOW, May 19. A mutiny occurred in German regiments ,t Wisenberg, in Esthonia, and several tfficers were killed. The German High Command sent trustworthy troops, and hese arrested 200 of the mutineers, of vhom 10 were immediately shot. Another mutiny occurred in a German egiment at Dvinsk. EX-ROYAL FAMILY. PROBABLE RESIDENCE IN SWITZERLAND. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. BERNE, May 18. A Moscow telegram states that negotiations are proceeding for settling the ex--I'zar and his family in Switzerland, the sartv to journey -via Rumania and Austria. The ex-Czar's family is willing to iro x> Switzerland. AMSTERDAM, May 18. The newspapers state that the ex-Czar is to be courfc-martialled at Moscow in Tune.

RESISTING THE INVADER. STREET FIGHTING AT KIEFF. BERNE, May 19. (Received May 20, at 8 p.m.) Several attempts have been made of late at Kieff against the occupying authorities, and street fighting has occurred. The German command, in conjunction with the Divisional Government, has decreed a state of siege, arrested many members of the Revolutionary Committee-, and sent them for trial by military courts. CEREALS IN UKRAINIA SECRET GERMAN CIRCULAR. VERY SLIGHT HOPES OF SUPPLIES. Reutcr's Telegram*. MOSCOW, May 19. (Received May 20, at 8.20 p.m.) _ The Bolshevik Press Bureau has published a secret circular which the German Government addressed to all newspapers in Germany, stating that German commissioners had convinced themselves of the dearth of supplies of cereals in Ukrainia owing to insufficient sowings last year and small owners secreting supplies. lie peasants in Ukrainia were nearly all armed against the Germans. Possibly greater supplies would be discovered with the further advance of the Germans, and better results may be obtained by armed force; but in any case the hope for the improvement of Germany's food supplies was exceedingly problematical.

CONTINUED GERMAN AGGRESSION. ANOTHER OFIICIAL PROTEST. Admiralty, per Wireless Press. ' LONDON, May 19. (Received May 20, at 8.20 p.m.) A Russian official report points out that the Germans, despite the agreement for a cessation of hostilities, are still engaged in military operations in the Don region. The Government communicated wth Genera] von Oirbach, pointing out that there was no justification for refusing an armistice, and requested von Oirbach to expedite his reply, -with a view to restoring peaceful conditions. ° FOES WITHIN AND WITHOUT. GOVERNMENT'S ATTEMPT TO ORGANISE. Admiralty, per Wireless Press. LONDON, May 19. (Received May 20, at 8.20 p.m.) A Russian official report states that the Peonle's Commissaries have sent a message to Provincial Councils, ordering compliance within a week with the decree for the creation of a strong united army to defend the republic from internal and external enemies. GENERAL SEMINOFF'S ATTITUDE. Australian and N.Z. Cable Assoc'ation. NEW YORK, May 19. (Received M y 21, at 1 a.in") It is believed that in the event, of an emergency General Seminoff. the Cossack leader, would co-operate with China Japan against Germany. ANOTHER RAID ON LONDON. Australian and N.Z. Cablo Association. LONDON, May 20. (Received May 21, at 1 a.m.) A fewo hours' raid on London has ended.