EUROPEAN STUATION.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17730, 15 September 1919, Page 5

EUROPEAN STUATION.

PEACE TERMS RUMANIA AND THE TREATY. PRESS AGITATION. Press Association—By 'J'elcgTaph—Copyright. . PARIS, September 11. Ihe Rumanian newspapers ;u'e indignant with the Allies for refusing to admit tho validity of Rumania's reservations to the Austrian Treaty. Thev approve of their delegates refusing to sign the Austrian Treaty, winch deprives Rumania of sovereign rights for her peoples, placing her under an outrageous tutelage.— A. and N.Z. Cable. RATIFICATION OF TREATY. BY CANADA AND SOUTH AFRICA. OTTAWA, September 11. Tho Canadian House of Commons, by 102 votes to 70, ratified the Peace Treaty. It was a straight-out party vote. After defeating by 102 votes to 70 Mr Fielding's amendment proposing to agree to tho treaty by asserting that the House refused to assent to any impairment of tho existing autonomous authority of the dominion, and also declaring that in future Canada must settle, through her representative. Parliament, what part she shall take in any war, the House of Commons passed, without a. division, the motion, to approve peace. . CAPETOWN, September 11. The Union House of Assembly ratified the Peace Treaty.—A. ajid N.. Cable. PIffiSHXENT WILSON'S CAMPAIGN. TREATY OR NO TREATY. ORDER OR CHAOS. NEW YORK, September 12. (Received Sept. 14, at 5.5 p.m.) The New York Times correspondent at Courdalene (Idaho) said that President Wilson, who sgpke in a huge circus tent, pictured the world again aflame with war unless the Peace Treaty was accepted. It was inconceivable that men could favour the complete destruction of {he treaty. There could be no reform or settled order in the world for generations unless the treaty was accepted. Mr Wilson continued that every man wlio loved justice should stand for the unqualified acceptance of the treaty. "If

you wish to live in a chaotic world," he said, "encourage those who are opposing the treaty and the league covenant." The President said he would not raise any serious objections to the adoption of reservations or interpretations of the treaty covenant by the Senate in a resolution separate from the resolution of ratification, though his own opinion was that such action was unnecessary. The audience listened attentively, though little interest in the treaty question has been shown in Idaho.—A. and N.Z. Cable. ANOTHER IDAHO MEETING. BRITAIN'S SIX VOTES. A BUGBEAR UNMASKED. WASHINGTON, September 12. (Received Sept. 14, at 5.5 p,m.) Speaking at Spokane' (Idaho), President Wilson, replying to Senators who objected to the British dominions having separate votes in the League of Nations, said that no danger to the United States on that score existed, because the decision of the League Council must be unanimous, and thus the United States, by one vote, could veto any of the council's decisions.—A. and N.Z. Cable. ATTACHE'S SECRET MISSION. HE DISCLOSES DETAILS. DECLARES AGAINST THE TREATY. WASHINGTON, September 12. (Received Sept. 14, at 5.5 p.m.) Mr William Bullitt, ex-attache of the United States Peace Commission, has disclosed that he was sent on a secret mission to Russia before the Prinkipo Conference was proposed. Lenin offered favourable terms of peace with the Allies, but M. Clemenceau refused to negotiate, and spoiled the opportunity at Prinkipo. Mr Bullitt's report was never published. Sir Bullitt testified before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee that he and Mr Lansing had a conference in Paris last May, in which Mr Lansing condemned parts of the Peace Treaty as "thoroughly bad," particularly those daaling with Shantung and the League of Nations. According to Mr Bullitt", Mr Lansing said: "I consider that tho League of Nations is at present tiseless. The Powers have arranged the world to suit themselves, and the league is able to do nothing to alter

the unjustness of the treaty except by unanimous consent. Members of the league representing the Great Powers will not give their consent to changes in the interests of weaker peoples. If the United States Senate and people understood the real meaning of treaty it would unquestionably be defeated." Mr Bullitt asserted that Generals Bliss and White also objected to numerous provisions of the treaty. Mr Lansing declined to comment upon Mr Bullitt's testimony.—A. and N Z Cable. REPUBLICAN SENATOR'S CAMPAIGN. SENATOR JOHNSON SARCASTIC. " WYORK, September 13. (Received Sept. 14, at 5.5 p.m.) At St. Louis (Missouri), Senator Johnson, who is engaged upon an anti-Wilson anti-League of Nations crusade, said that if the Pcace Treaty was adopted Britain and Japan would control the United States's foreign policv. President Wilson was unable to explain why. under the league, Britain was given six votes* and the United states oniv one. Senator Johnson added: "We don't have to become the partners of burglars simply because wo cannot prevent burorlarv " A and N.Z. Cable. S J THE SOUTH AFRICAN P -YRLI \- MENT.

TREATY AND MANDATE RATIFIED. CAPETOWN, September 12 (Ewivcd Sept, 14, at 5.5 p.m.) Ihe Senate concurred in the Assembly's resolution ratifying the Peace Treaty by 30 votes to 5. The minority were Nationnjists. . The Assembly carried the' second reading of the Mandate Bill bv 70 votes to 23 The minority were all Nationalists.—A and N.Z. Cable. THE FIUME DIFFICULTY. ITALIAN RAIDERSTAKE A HAND. HOME, September 12 (Received Sept. 14, at 5.5 p rn.) Italian _ raiders, including the poet d'Annunzio, ">viUi machine guns a.nd armoured cars, entered Fiume at noon today.—Reuter. THE RAID DISCREDITED. NO DISORDERS FOLLOW. PRECAUTIONS BY IT \LI \N GOVERNMENT. ROME, September 13 (Received Sept. 14, at 11.55 p.m.) It appears that- the would-be raiders comprised detachments of the Grenadiers and bands of storm troom. who started from Ronchi. A semi-official statement says that no disorders followed their arrival at Fiume. The Government has taken energetic steps to check the movement, and discover tvho is re-pnn«ible for the rash and harmful act.—Renter.

INSURANCE AGAINST WAR. PRESIDENT WILSON EMPHATIC. NEW YORK, September 13. (Received Sept. 14, at 11.5 p.m.) At Tacoina (Washington State) President Wilson a£ked the crowd whether they wanted to abandon all that had been achieved in Paris. Tho crowd shouted *'No." Guarantees of the world's liberty had been given, but it must be safeguarded. Mr Wilson, denouncing Bolshevism, said : "I am tho enemy of the rulership of any minority, however constituted." The League of Nations was, he said, almost a complete insurance against war. Even if it was only a 10 per cont. insurance, it was still worth having. If tho league had existed then, Germany would never have begun the war.—A. and N.Z. Cable.

BOLSHEVISM GENERAL DENIKEN'S OPERATIONS. LARGE ENEMY FORCE CUT OFF. LONDON, September 11. The Australian Press Association learns that General Dcniken is clearing the country between Odessa and KiefT, endeavouring to foil the attempt of a. large force of Bolshevists, who are cut off, and who are trying to break through from a large pocket in which they are bottled up.—A. and N.Z. Cable. THE SIBERIAN OPERATIONS. A REVERSE AND SUCCESSES. LONDON, September 11. The Australian Press Association learns that General Wrongel's troops in the Don area have been driven back by Bolshevists, and now aro endeavouring to hold a defensivo line covering Tsaritsyn (on the Volga). The situation of the Siberian army (l\olchak's) lias improved, owing to tlie Bolshevists withdrawing large forces in thoir effort against General Dcniken. Severe fighting occurred west of lshim, 130 miles south-south-west of Tobolsk, the Bolshevists suffering heavy losses.—A. and N.Z. Cable. THE BRITISH WITHDRAWAL. MR CHURCHILL'S STATEMENT. CARRYING OUT ANNOUNCED POLICY. LONDON, September 11. In the course of an official statement on the British policy in Northern Russia, Mr Winston Churchill stated that the British Government considered it its duty to offer means of refuge to all Russians who have compromised themselves with the Bolshevists through assisting us. A considerable number of persons, including women and cnildren, besides the British troops, must therefore be evacuated by sea. Mr Churchill scathingly described the suggested process of simplv marching the British into transports and sailing awav under cover of the warships' guns as likely i to result in a series of episodes dishonourable to the British name. The militarv authorities had always insisted that the British troops cculd not be withdrawn except by certain offensive operations of limited scope, in order" to disengage the front. It would bo wrong and unpatriotic to increase the difficulties of withdrawal in its most critical phase by inspiriting the enemy and disheartening the Russian Nationals. Mr Winston Churchill, in reply to further criticism on tils Government's Russian policy, said: In reference to the allegations published in the press by Lieu-tenant-colonel Sherwood-Kelly regarding British operations in North Russia, he (Kelly) was removed from his post on

August 16, and sent back to England for a serious offence against the Army Act. General Rawlinson reported that ho only refrained from court-martialing Kelly owing to his gallant record. Lieutenant-colonel Sherwood-Kelly had now, by his further action, become an offender against the King's Regulations, and would bo subjected to disciplinary action. Mr Churchill proceeded to recapitulate tho steps taken in connection with the British withdrawal, and referred to the upsetting of British plans and the intention to withdraw from North Russia without risk, difficulty, or anxiety. _ As regards the fate of the North Russian Government and army, owing to the failure of Kolchak's plan to join up with the North Russians, it was not proposed to issue any statement of policy regarding the progress cf operations until British lives were no longer endangered by publicity, or Russian national interests are prejudiced. Referring to tho numerous rumours about anti-Bolshevist forces in the Baltic States and on the Petrograd front, which are chiefly ascribed to Bolshevist wireless reports, Mr Churchill says:—"No British were ever employed there, nor has the British Government ever accepted responsibility for those military operations. We only furnished munitions and advice. The British navy, with its superb efficiency. prevented the Bolshevists from raiding Baltic ports." The War Secretary points out, in regard to this matter, that the Baltic States are subjected to social dangers from the Bolshevists and to political dangers from Germany. "These dangers cannot be averted single-handed by Britain; but they have engaged the attention of the Peace Conference for some time. The problem can be grappled with only by the victorious Allies acting conc'ertedly!"— A. and N.Z. and Rerutcr. WOMEN AS EXECUTIONERS. MEN'S FEROCITY EXCEEDED. LONDON, September 10. It is reported from Helsingfors that the staff of the Finnish " Red" army includes 50 women executioners. An instance is given where they unhesitatingly executed a party of Russians on whom the Russian

"Red" army refused to carry out the death sentence. —Reuter. BOLSHEVIST SUCCESSES CLAIMED. IN TURKESTAN AND SIBERIA. BERLIN, September 11. Wireless reports from Moscow claim a great success and advance in Turkestan with largo captures of prisoners. It is also claimed that 12,000 of Commander Kolchak's army surrendered between Aktinbinskoe and Orsk, southward of Orenburg.—Times. TROTSKY'S MESSAGE TO FINLAND. THREAT OF TERRORISM. HELSINGFORS, September 11. Speaking in the Petrograd Soviet, Trotsky warned Finland that the road 'from Helsin.gfors to Petrograd also led from Petrograd to IleLsingfors, and unless Finland desisted from further provocation the "Reds" would launch a shattering attack. He added: "Ouc, crusade against the Finnish bourgeoisie would not only be one of xevenge, but because Finland is acting at Britain's bidding. We have strength enough for everything nearly " Times. KOLCHAK'S SUCCESSES CONTINUE. OMSK NO LONGER MENACED. NEW YORK, September 13 (Received Sept. 14, at 5.5 p.m.) The New York Times Washington correspondent says that Omsk advices state that General Kolchak's Siberian armv'continues its successful operations against the Bolshevists, • and Omsk is no longer menaced.—A. and N.Z. Gable. °~

BOLSHEVIST CLAIMS. DESERTIONS FROM KOLCIIAK'S ARMY. THE NUMBERS GROWING. LONDON, September 13. (P.eccived Sept. 14, at 5.5 p.m.) A Bolshevist wireless communique claims that a delegation of Kolcliak's southern amy, numbering from 15,000 to 20,000, offered to surrender. Tho communique adds: "We have captured further 12,000 at Aktiubinsk, in the Omsk region, and an additional 50C0 surrendered. Commander Kolchak, accompanied by General Knox, has proceoded to tho front. A further Bolshevist wireless communique claims that 45,000 of Kolcliak's southern army surrendered last week, with full equipment, artillery, baggage, and moneys.—A. and N.Z. Cable. THE OTHER SIDE. ALLEGED BOLSHEVIST DIFFICULTIES. PARIS, September 13. (Received Sept. 14, at 5.5 p.m.) Advices from Moscow state that Trotsky has declared that the Soviets will bo unable to continue the war through the winter owing to Deniken's*and Kolcliak's converging offensives. It is expected that tho Workers and. Soldiers' Council at Moscow will favour pcacc negotiations.— A. and N.Z. Cable. IMPORTANT BOLSHEVIST REVERSE. riIREE REGIMENTS SURRENDER, TWO ARE DESTROYED. LONDON, September 13. (Received Sept. 14, at 11.55 p.m.) A War Office communique states: After three days' battle for Tsaritsin, in which the Bolshevists made combined attacks from different directions upon the town, the defending troops, under General Wrengel, heavily repulsed the attackers, capturing 9000 prisoners, 11 guns, and over 100 machine jruns. Three Bolshevist regiments surrendered, and two others were completely destroyed.—Reuter. EST HON IA AND THE PEACE OFFER. ALLIES MUST BE CONSULTED. HELSINGFORS, September .13. (Received Sept. 14, at 11.55 p.m.) A representative of Esthonia declares that the Bolshevist peace offer has been neither accepted nor refused. Esthonia will not conclude peace without consulting Finland and tho Allies.—Reuter. COLONEL KELLY'S POSITION. LETTER TO THE PRESS. LONDON, September 13. (Received Sept. 15, at 1 a.m.) Colonel Sherwood Kelly, in a letter to the Daily Express, gives the text of letters informing him that his only offence con sisted in writing a letter criticising and condemning the operations iij North Russia. He says he wrote it with tho deliberate intention of being sent home, as he knew the censor .would"see it. General Ironside stated that his only offence was tho censored letter, and offered him a better job if he stayed, or six months' leave and command of a reserve battalion in England. Colonel Kelly found, when lie reached England, that' General Rawlinson had not confirmed General Lronsides's offer.—A. and N.Z. Cable.