REVOLUTIONARY RUSSIA.

Otago Witness, Issue 3327, 19 December 1917, Page 21

REVOLUTIONARY RUSSIA.

REPORTED SUCCESS OF MA£I-

MALISTS

MANY CONTRADICTORY REPORTS

- (By Cable.)

The Petrograd Telegraph Bureau denies that the Bolsheviks have repudiated foreign loans. ( British subjects in Russia have been granted passports. The Deutsche Zeitung reports that Lenin has ordered the evacuation of the territory .eastward of the Riga front as far as Lake Peipus. Such a retreat will bring the German troops within 125 miles of Petrograd. A Haparanda report states that the military Revolutionary Committee of the Russian troops in Finland has demanded £390,000 from the Finnish Government as the price of their withdrawal. They refuse to release corn supplies until one-fifth of the levy has been paid, notwithstanding the fact that Finland has already paid for the corn. The incendiary manifesto by the Military Revolutionai'y Committee (published last week) was withdrawn at the last moment. A number of processions in. celebration of the opening of the first Constituent Assembly converged at. the Tauride Palace, outside which a succession of extempore meetings was held, but no disorders occurred.

Reports from Petrograd state that soldiers are deserting in masses from the front.

General Tcherbatcheff has been appointed Commander-in-chief, replacing Ensign Krylenko. An eye-witness of General Dukhonin's death states that >he was dragged from his carriage, hurled into the air, and caught on sailors' bayonets. On touching the ground again he was stabbed, bayoneted, shot, and left in the railway carriage. When his friends found his ,body its was almost stripped, and the sailors had kicked it into the corridor. The Soviet of Moscow seized the works, of the newspaper Russkoe Slovo for publishing a rumour that Krylenko's seizure of the General Staff Headquarters was carried out at tho instance of the German Headquarters. THE ARMISTICE AND PEACE TERMS. A Berlin semi-official message states: In the recent armistice negotiations the Russian conditions were astonishingly farreaching, considering Russia's military situation. Germany could not agree to evacuate the islands in the Gulf of Riga, and could not withdraw her troops from the eastern front for six months, which the Russians demanded. However, after further discussion, an agreement was reached except on the question of the evacuation of the islands, which admits of no discussion. The statement concludes: "In the 10 days' truce, which was finally agreed upon, we see a good augury for the future." Trotsky, Foreign Minister, in the course of a speech, said: " The Allies warned us that Germany is deceiving us, but we are a hundredfold stronger in curming than the Germans. If Germany will not agree to Courland and Lithuania electing their own forms of Government we will, strew the enemy trenches with millions of proclamations, so that the Germans after the stated 28 days will accept our conditions for an armistice. If the allied Governments do not agree to our conditions they will be thrown down one after another." The Daily Chronicle's Petrograd correspondent states that the German armistice terms were: The evacuation of Petrograd by the Russians until a general peace is reached, but making no provision as to whether it is to be occupied by the Germans. Secondly, the Baltic fleet to be disarmed. Thirdly, the whole of the "Ukraine to be ceded to Austria, including the northern shores of the Black Sea. The, Daily Chronicle's Haparanda correspondent reports that the Bolsheviks are depressed over the armistice negotiations, and are making' strong efforts to induce the Allies to participate in the negotiations. Germany has offered an armistice if Russia will withdraw from the occupied parts of Galicia and from the Black Sea coast. When informed of these demands Trotsky and Lenin appealed to Kuhlmann and Count Czernin by wireless to hasten general peace. The Russian Workers' Executive strongly opposed the German terms. Mr Philip Price states that the Bolshevik army delegates who have returned from the fronts reported that all soldiers complained that they wanted eight months' peace, and believed they had been betrayed. They will wait no longer, but •will rely on themselves. M. Kampeff stated that a long armistice -was intended. Tho Bolsheviks were aware of the enemy's aims, but would retaliate at the weakest spot. Millions of leaflets -would be supplied to the German soldiers, assuring them of moral support in the event of revolutionary outbreaks. A German official message states that the Russian delegation arrived back at Brest-Litovsk on the 12th for the continuation of armistice negotiations. The next plenary sitting was fixed for the 13th. The German officers are indignantly protesting against the distribution of revolutionary leaflets advocating a democratic peace, but the officials hete are unsympathetic, and propose to continue distributing them.

KALEDIN AND KORNILOFF FAIL. General Kaledin has issued a manifesto in the> Ukraine Journal, in which he declares that the Cossacks have means of maintaining order eventually by armed might. He announces his intention to fight tlie Bolsheviks by every means.

It is stated that General Alexieff and General Korniloff have reached Novochartlsk, in the Don Cossack territory. General Korniloff travelled dressed as a common soldier, and pretended to be a Maximalist deserter.

The Cossacks control the principal coal supplies. Trotsky states that the Cossacks have mounted quick-firers on the roofs of the houses in Rostoff (where the Don enters the Sea of Azov), and are terrorising the population. Considerable forces are being detached and sent against the Cossacks. A Bolshevik appeal, addressed to the Cpssacks, says: "It depends upon you whether the blood of your brethren will be shed. We hold out our hands to you and urge you to unite with all people against their declared enemies, Kaledin, Korniloff, Dutoff, and Karavloff." Fighting is reported at various places, including Rostov (on the Sea of Azov), where General Kaledin is opposing the Maximalists, who are said to be supported by a detachment from the Black Sea fleet. Fierce fighting is reported to be continuing at Bielgorod, with great losses on both sides.

General Korniloff has broken through all opposition, and will soon ioin forces with General Kaledin at Novo Tcherkask (near the- mouth of the Don, close to the head'of the Sea of Azov)*. He commands a division of some of the "death" battalions and artillery. The newspaper Proza announces a» collision between the Maximalists and 4000 supporters of General Korniloff near Brelagorod. It is reported that the Cossacks have defeated the Bolshevik forces at Moholieff, but this is'not confirmed.

A Brelagorod message says that Korniloff's Cossacks have been defeated, and that Kaledin is sending reinforcements to Korniloff.

The Morning Post's Petrograd correspondent reports that one of Korniloff's detachments was beaten at Beilogorod, but his main body dispersed the Bolshevik force, many of whom laid down their arms and espoused Korniloff's cause. The Government* telegraphs that Maximalist troops have occupied Tavrarovka (? Tovarkova) and Kaluga (close together, about 100 miles south-west of Moscow), disarmed and arrested Korniloff's shock troops, and restored the revolutionary authority. The Commissioner of the Black Sea fleet h«s telegraphed asking for the immediate despatch of all the Black Sea detachments, with numerous ,machine guns. He says that the military Cadets are attacking Rostov (at the head of the Sea of Azov) with armoured cars. The Commissioner of the Fifth Russian Army has announced the arrival of Ensigrt Krylenko at Dvinsk. He adds that the committee of the Fifth Army has undertaken to arrange an armistice on its front, and General Boldyreff, commander of that army, has been dismissed and arrested. < Trotsky announces that if the armistice is signed at Brest-Litovsk the commissioners will be empowered to enter into peace negotiations. AN OFFICIAL MESSAGE. The Bolshevik Telegraph Agency reports that Generals Kaledin and Pototsky and their staff have been arrested. General Kaledin asked the Mayor of Rostoff to come to Novocherkask to discuss the suspension of military operations. The agency also announces overwhelming pro-Maximalist majorities in the Constituent Assembly from the Twelfth and Fifth Armies and the armies of Finland. THE CONSTITUENT ASSEMBLY. The Daily Chronicle's Petrograd correspondent states that the population of Petrograd are harassed by a restless feeling in anticipation of the meeting of the Constituent Assembly. Only 100 members of that newly-elected body have arrived at the capital, and the Electoral Board, who should make all arrangements for the meeting, are imprisoned in tlie Sedley Institute. The Daily Chronicle's Petrograd correspondent describes the opening of the Constituent Assembly at the Taurida Palace on Tuesday. The shops were closed, flags were waving, and processions marching in the streets. Many meetings were held, at which there was much speechifying, outside the palace, where the workmen and soldiers assembled. The doors of the Assembly were guarded by soldiers, with machine guns. The correspondent continues: " After rebuffs, the journalists reached the chamber oL the Assembly. When we were in we saw a little group at the speaker's tribune of about 50, instead of 1600. The members included 40 Social Democrats arid four Cadets, but no Bolsheviks. The members held little meetings, their voices sounding like whispers in the empty hall. It was decided/ to meet daily until a quorum was present. Wednesday's sitting was even more saddening, there being only 40 present." Mr Bourchier wires from Petrograd: The delegates of the Constituent Assembly, under the presidency of a major, decided that there was a sufficient quorum present, ignored the Bolshevik decree, virtually established the Assembly, declared the three arrested members free on the ground that their membership gave them immunity, and formed _ committees. The Assembly is meeting daily. Tho Leninites appear reluctant to use force in view of the unfavourable effect it would have on the peasantry. In chronicling tho opening of the Constituent Assembly, the Petrograd correspondent of the Daily Chronicle remarks : Tho key to the situation is the prevalent belief that an anti-Bolshevik insurrection is imminent in Petrograd, and Lenin is taking drastic measures to prevent this, having ordered the arrest of the leaders of the Cadets. Trotsky states that their arrest only means saying them from being lynched. It is generally stated that the Bolsheviks favour a constitutional monarchy, and it

is believed they are negotiating -with the Romanoffs. Lenin and others treated the Grand Duke Paul Alexandrovitch with the utmost respect on the occasion of his recent visit, to the Bolshevik headquarters. The Maximalists have forcibly dissolved the Senate/4nd the Red Guards are arresting more Government officials. "' A decree has been issued ordering the arrest of the principal Cadet leaders and the surveillance of Cadet organisations, in view of the latter's conferring with'Kaledin and Korniloff. DOUBTFUL NEWS. There are indications that the Bolshevik influence is waning. A detachment of Pavlovsk Guards paraded the Nevsky Prospekt, displaying banners inscribed "Down with the'Bolsheviks." Lenin and Trotsky are being guarded by nominal supporters, but are really prisoners, and it is suspected that they desire to escape. House owners in Petrograd have been warned to safeguard their property for the next few days, as a further armed outbreak is feared. Authoritative* sources state that the Russian outlook is brighter. The pro-ally party among the Bolsheviks has been considerably strengthened by Germany's attitude towards peace negotiations. The Cologne Gazette says that opposition to the Maximalists is becoming increasingly threatening, and the revolutionary Socialist peasants are adopting an aggressive attitude to the Leninites. The Morning Post's Petrograd correspondent says: The opponents of the Bolsheviks, who claim that power must remain in the hands of self-appointed commissaries of the people, made a demonstration to-day. demanding that the power shall belong to the Constituent Assembly. Meanwhile, other parts of Russia are active . Siberian troops are organising under General Pleshkoff. The Siberians are understood to favour a monarchy, and it is rumoured that they intend to bring the ex-Czar and his family from Tobolsk to European Russia. News from Russia, via Copenhagen, indicates that the Bolsheviks' days are numbered. Their opponents everywhere are organising for a decisive conflict. SIBERIA AND TURKESTAN. . Siberia will shortly declare its independence and repudiate the Bolsheviks. Russian . Turkestan has mobilised with the intention of attacking Taskent, where the Bolsheviks are dominant. OFFER TO EX-CZAR. The Morning Post's Petrograd correspondent says a story is current that recently the Kaiser offered to restore the Czar on the throne, and provide German guards is Russian uniform and able statesmen to re-establish order if the ex-Czar Nicholas swore an alliance to Germany for 50 years. The ex-Czar replied : " I shall take my throne from none but my faithful Russian people, and shall then decide for myself with whom my country shall ally herself in the future." AMUR AND VLADIVOSTOCK. Serious disturbances have occurred at Harbin between the extreme pro-Germans and the allied nationals. The Chinese authorities have telegraphed for troops to protect the allied nationals. -Vladivostock despatches state that the province of Amur has declared its independence, and a Provisional Government has been established. Anarchy in Asiatic Russia is widespread. The situation at "Vladivostock is less serious, but the surrounding country is in a state of anarchy. A Russian-American society has been organised in Vladivostock to maintain order. The United States Consul and the allied

naval commanders attended the meeting of the society, and appealed to the Russians to co-operate with the" Allie 3. The newspaper Vest-rick states that Chinese troops have entered Harbin, and Japanese troops have entered Vladivostock.

The New York Times Washington correspondent learns authoritatively that Japanese troops have occupied Vladivostock. *

The New York Times Washington correspondent reports that the Japanese, in occupying Vladivostock, undoubtedly acted with the knowledge and consent of the Entente Powers. \ This action is important, because it will prevent the Bolshevik forces, which have been ordered to occupy the town, securing vast stores of ammunition and other war supplies shipped from America. The American Consul at Vladivostock repoi't-s rioting, but denies the presence of Japanese troops. PRISONERS. The ' Russian authorities are stated to have released all interned German civilians in exchange for 4000 Russian officers imprisoned in Germany. The Russian Embassy states that since the revolution the supervision over Austrian and German prisoners in Russia has been merely nominal. Fully half of them have regained their liberty and are scattered broadcast. Thousands have settled dowri in Russia, and enormous numbers have escaped to Asia, many- who are Slavs, Rumanians, and Italians having joined the Rumanian army. RUMANIA'S ARMISTICE. Rumanian official: We have signed an armistice with the enemy. The text of the armistice on the Rumanian front shows that .the Rumanian army will observe an armistice so long as the Russian armies on the Rumanian front do so also. A German official report states: We have signed an armistice with the RussoRumanian armies between the Dniester and the mouth of the Danube. . The Manchester Guardian's Petrograd correspondent says that messages from Jassy show that the chief anxiety of the Rumanian Government is to preserve the dynasty. The Central Powers are willing . to evacuate and restore Rumanian territory on condition that a new dynasty is enthroned—one sympathising 'with the Hohenzollerns and Hapsburgs. The Rumanian burgeoisie includes a strong Germano-' phile' party, favouring peace on this basis. Moreover, Russian revolutionary soldiers are carrying on a "republican agitation in the Rumanian army on the basis of immediate peace, for the purpose of freeing Rumanian peasants from serfdom and Rumanian Jews from disabilities, and establishing a republic at Bucharest. The Leninite Government does not regard itself bound by treaties made between Rumania and the Czar's Government.