REVOLUTIONARY RUSSIA.

Otago Witness, Issue 3331, 16 January 1918, Page 39

REVOLUTIONARY RUSSIA.

RESUMPTION OF PEACE CONGRESS

RUSSIA PREPARING ROR FAILURE

A SHOCKING MASSACRE

(By Cable.)

The central districts have accepted M Trotsky's proposal to prolong the armis tice for another month.

Mr Ransome, Petrograd correspondent of the Daily News, interviewed M. Trotsky as he was on the point of departing for Brest-Litovsk. M. Trotsky said that, under a mistaken impression, the Allies wanted Germany to succeed in making an peace with Russia, so that Germany, guarding herself on the east front, might be more willing to surrender what the Allies want on the west front. M. Trotsky interpreted Mr Lloyd George as meaning this. The Allies then blamed the Bolsheviks for having lost the freedom of Poland, Lithuania, and Courland.

Mr Ransome assured M. Trotsky that he was mistaken, but the latter replied: " That is the allied policy." Further questioned, M. Trotsky said an international labour conference would do no harm. The attitude of the Bolsheviks would not be influenced by the allied Governments—only by the allied peoples. "It is difficult," said M. Trotsky, "to say what are the hopes of a general peace, because the Germans have not yet been offered a chance of a general and acceptable peace, but must need it. They have abandoned attempts to move large units from the east fronts westward, and now take the men singly, and they jump out of trains. Deserters tell me that the soldiers will not go to the western front. Twentyfive thousand Germans at this moment are mutinying behind the German front in the Kovno district, and the High Command, failing to get their comrades to attack the mutineers, surrounded them, hoping to starve them into submission."

M. Trotsky refused to be drawn regarding the actual terms he hopes to obtain, adding laughingly: " Logically we ought to declare war on Britain now, for the sake of India, Egypt, and Ireland." Mr Ransome telegraphs that an agreement has been reached between the Bolshevik and Ukrainian delegates at Brest-Litovsk, Ukraina's independence being recognised. The delegates have decided to present a united front. This agreement ends the German hopes of dividing the Bolsheviks from South Russia, where food and other commodities form the chief German peace objective. Lenin has departed from Petrograd, and is either taking a holiday in Finland or conferring with the Austro-German Socialists at Stockholm. Before leaving, he said : "I fear that we shall be compelled to stop demobilisation and prepare for war. Wo will never agree to a shameful

peace."

DISAGREEMENT AMONG GERMANS

A split between the Pan-German annexationists and the more moderate elements in Germany over the Brest-Litovsk negotiations -is evddent by a violent attack on von Kuhlmann by the Rheinische "Westfaelische ZeifSing, which attributes to 'his conduidt of the negotiations von Ludendorff's 'threat to resign. The journal doubte whether the army command can any longer co-operate with von Kuhlmann. It declares that renunciation - in the East is von Kuhlmann's watchword, and renunciation in the west will follow. Germans must now choose between von Hindenburg and von Ludendorff on the one side and von Kuhlmann and Baron Hertling on the other. The Pan-Germans are actively seeking von Kuhlmann's overthrow. They regard him as the chief obstacle to the militarists' Solicy. The Krupp newspapers violently enounce him. The German Democrats are agitating for the removal of von Hindenburg and Ludendorf in order to end the military influence over Germany's political policy. The Pan-Germans threaten the gravest, consequences if von Kuhlmann is permitted to retain office. His attitude at BrestLitovsk is regarded as a menace to the annexationists policy. The majority block in the Reichstag has broken up, and the parties constituting the majority refuse to adhere to the resolution of July 19 of a peace without annexation and without indemnities.

The decision of the Russian delegates to resume negotiations has somewhat calmed the anxiety of the moderates. The majority Socialists intend submitting an ultimatum to the Government forthwith. The majority Socialists have sent a message to the Bolsheviks, inviting the latter to reject the pourparlers. The Pan-Ger-mans blame the Socialists for the Russian rejection of the annexation programme, the Socialists having informed the Bolsheviks that a separate peace would be detrimental to the revolutionary movement which is developing in Germany. Reports sent from Zurich state ' that General von Ludendorff sent an ultimatum to the German Government on the peace conditions to be imposed on Russia. After long deliberation and the intervention of the Kaiser, von Ludendorff withdrew his resignation, having gained his own way.

The Petit Journal's Zurich correspondent says: Von Tirpitz's influence with the Kaiser and the Chancellor in the Luden-dorff-Kuhlmann dispute ended in a panGerman victory,_ and von Kuhlmann narrovvlv escaped dismissal.

The German Labourers' Committee for Peace has telegraphed to tho Kaiser, the Crown Prince, and von Hindenburg, requesting thorn to secure tho German labourers' future by peace or victory. The Crown Prince replied that there* is no reason for uneasiness. The Empire's leaders will crown tho heroic deeds of the army and navy by a good and honourable peace, guaranteeing happy conditions of life for Gorman labourers and the free development of their labours on German soil.

The Vorwarts announces that two thousand electors at Bielefed carried a resolution urging the Government to reply favourably to the Pope's recent Note, and to refrain from any open or secret annexation demands. " A similar movement "is being organised throughout Germany. Deputy Fuhrmann's declaration at the Fatherland party's meeting at Berlin that " if the German flag is not hoisted in Flanders for ever we have lost the war," caused tumultuous dissent and countercries of " Traitor." The dissentients were \ mostly incapacitated soldiers, who were turned out after a fight with " featherbed" soldiers. The crippled soldiers, reinforced, returned and broke up the meeting. THE CONFERENCE RESUMES. ■ EXCHANGING VIEWS. Ukraina is represented at the conference. Von Kuhlmann, presiding, complained of the semi-official Russian statements circulated by the Petrograd Telegraph Agency, containing imaginary reports of the previous sitting, which endangered the continuation of the negotiations. Von Kuhlmann added: "I do not care to give up aJI hopes of the negotiations leading to satisfactory results. T)ifficulties of a material character were disclosed at the previous sitting but not great enough to justify the idea that our peace work will fail." Count Czernin said that the Central Powers had agreed to refer unsettled matters to a committee, and conclude the negotiations on the basis both sides had already considered. If Russia's intentions were unaltered the conference would reach a satisfactory result. Otherwise the responsibility for the continuation of the war will be exclusively Russia's. Von Kuhlmann and Count Czernin declined the transfer of negotiations to a neutral country, because the arrangements were completed for continuing at BrestLitovsk ; also they did not desire the Entente Powers to meddle with Russo-German also, they did not desire the Entente Powers to meddle with Russo-German affairs. The Central Powers would continue the war relentlessly if Russia broke up the conference. Trotsky moved the adjournment of the conference. Trotsky said the Russians desired to continue the peace negotiations, whether the Entente Powers participated or not. He disagreed with the difficulties urged by the Germans regarding the transfer of negotiations" to Stockholm, but as the Russian people desired the speediest peace he had consented to remain at BrestLitovsk in order to deprive the opposing parties of the pretext of breaking off the negotiations on technical grounds. M. Trotsky announced that the Russian delegates did not come as representative of a defeated nation, and had no intention whatever" of suing for mercy. They remained true to the revolution, advocating a free and independent Pussia. If the Imperialists refused to meet the people's wishes, the Central European democracies would put in a weighty word on their behalf. They would not suffer Young Russia to be wiped off the face of the earth. Failing that the Russians would fight to the bitter end, not only in the trenches, but everywhere, barricading every step of the oppressors. The Russian peace delegates have agreed to begin trade relations with Germany, but declined Germany's conditions aiming at the removal of the White Sea blockade.

Petrograd, Brest-Litovsk, and Berlin are now connected by direct'telegraph. The Russian and German delegates at Brest-Litovsk have formed a special commission to negotiate on territorial question and a future commercial treaty. The Berliner Zeitung states that. Germany has definitely promised the peoples of occupied territory freedom to vote upon their destiny. The voting need not occur until the German troops have evacuated the territory nor until the Russian" army has been demobilised. Dagens Nyheter learns that Germany has proclaimed Lithuania's independence. It is expected that the declaration will be forthcoming at Brest-Litovsk. CORRESPONDENTS' REPORTS. The Daily Express Petrograd correspondent states that the Bolsheviks seem to have made up their mind to use the bludgeon right and left. Having disposed of the allied Governments, whose Ambassadors are on the ooint of departing, they are now engaged in a standing fight with German Imperialism. Trotsky recoils in tragic disillusionment from the German interpretation of the selfdetermination definition, and will probably follow Kerensky's example and appeal tb the army, which, despite its terrible disorganisation, remains loyal to the new democracy. It is believed that the Bolsheviks, goaded to the verge of desperation by the Teuton tactics, are preparing to continue the war in the event of failure to secure a peace based on democratic principles. The ex-Czar is never mentioned in Petrograd. He remains in dreary exile at Tobolsk, and spends his time felling timber. The Zurich correspondent of the Echo de Paris states that the Soviet and all Socialist groups in Petrograd have issued a proclamation against the Bolsheviks' separate peace proposals, declaring that a general peace might save Russia from the political and" economic catastrophe of civil war. Tho Bolsheviks began the peace negotiations without waiting for the Constituent Assembly or consulting the people. Several divisions of infantry and cavalry carried resolutions condemning the policv of Lenin and Trotsky. RUSSIAN PREPARATIONS. By Krylenico's orders, voluntary detachments of the Red Guard are forming on the northern front. The Bolshevik leaders opine that the peace negotiations may be interrupted, therefore it is necessary to organise resistance to a German offensive which they consider imminent. A oontdnuance of the war on the old scale is impossible, and operations must be

limited to defence in the hope of creating a voluntary revolutionary army. The London newspapers are emphasising the fact that, while Trotsky is continuing peace negotiations, Krylenko is organising an army, and has issued a proclamation threatening a holy war against the Russian, German, French, and British bourgeoisie. AUSTRIA'S EXPECTATIONS. Count Czernin, interviewed at Vienna before leaving for Brest-Litovsk, indicated that Austria expects as a result of the negotiations, that the map of Europe will be completely changed in Austria's favour. There will no longer be any frontier between Russia and the Austrian Monarchy from Bukovina to Silesia. New political States will be created. Ukraina and Poland will be independent, and may Join the Austrian Monarchy, but. one thing is certain : they will remove the borders of Russia hundreds of miles. The Stuttgart Tageblatt states that grave divergences have arisen between the Austrian and German delegates at BrestLitovsk.

The Arbeiter Zeitung (Vienna) writes: " If the whole world is fighting us and all nations hate us, the fault lies with Germany, who to-day wants to dictate a conqueror's peace. It is downright madness to pretend that a victorious peace is possible, and madness is typified in the statement: 'lf we hold out for a few months more, the whole world will submit.' The Social Demokraten learns that great peace meetings at Vienna carried resolutions of sympathy with,the Bolshevik demands for the release of Dr Adler. A new peace party was formed, and is agitating for peace by understanding. SITUATION IN RUSSIA. PETROGRAD'S PLIGHT. The Daily Chronicle's Petrograd correspondent -writes: The idea that Russia can fight must be abandoned. Russia has ceased to exist as an organised state, and is in a condition of inconceivable anarchy, slipping back to the middle ages. No food is being loaded for Petrograd, and unless a miracle happens starvation is certain. Rioting is commencing in the factory toAvns in the Moscow district, owing to the complete disappearance of bread. Thre is also a danger of the stoppage of trains, as the coal supply is failing. Many factories have been closed, and the army of unemployed is growing daily. . The official class continue to strike at people who are hoarding roubles with a view to. possible emergencies. All financial operations are completely blocked : the masses are sullen; and the Anarchist propaganda is making headway at the Bolshevik's expense. The Anarchists propose that on the Russian New r Year's Day they shall confiscate all property, including factories and houses. Travelling is a peril. The trains are packed with wandering soldiers, and the rolling stock is gradually breaking down under the strain. Trains reach Petrograd with the windows smashed and linings torn from the seats. The situation at Petrograd is slowly improving. Siberia is despatching 200 trucks of corn daily; also, Southern Russia has partially resumed the despatching of foodstuffs, which had been stopped since the revolution. THE CONSTITUENT ASSEMBLY. The Daily Chronicle's Petrograd correspondent states that the Bolsheviks intend the Constituent Assembly to sit for only a few days, so as to ratify Lenin's decrees and hand the sovereign power to the Soviets; then it will be dissolved. If the Assembly refuses, it will be compulsorily dissolved for good. The Russian Centra] Executive of the Councils of Workmen, Soldiers, and Peasants' Deputies has issued a decree giving local councils power to recall members of the Constituent Assembly in all cases where they do not express the view of the labouring; masses. M. Kerensky is drafting a report for the Constituent Assembly, explaining why he refrained from the peace negotiations, the reasons why he sent the Czar to Tobolsk, and the circumstances causing the fall of his own Government. MASSACRE AT SEVASTOPOL. The horrors of Kronstadt have been reenacted at Sevastopol. There was a two days' butchery of naval officers by Bolshevik sailors, and at least 60 were killed, including four admirals and a general. Most of those killed were members of the committee of inquiry in 1912, under the Czar's regime, into the rebellious sailors and the revolutionary union, sentencing 17 to execution and many of the others to exile. The murdered admirals and captains were experienced warriors, in whom tne fleet expressed well-merited confidence. All the officers from one ship were taken to the famous Malakoff Tower and shot. The population of Sevastopol were nervous and excited. Some reports state that the murdered officers number hundreds. Street fighting is proceeding at Nikoliff. "Twenty German commercial travellers are at Kieff, doing business. SOUTHERN RUSSIA. The majority of the Cossacks are following General Kaledin, who considers that the main business of the Cossacks is to consolidate the democratic republican power in the Don district. He considers it undesirable for them to interfere hi the inner life of other parts of the Russian Republic, and they will be ready to fio-ht the Bolsheviks only if the latter aclopt an aggressive policy against the Don.

General Alexicff. who is leading the officers' corps, 25,000 strong, ho-vrever, considers it necessary to organise for a struggle against the Boteheviks on an AllRussian scale to create a moderate Liberal regime for Russia. Monarchical principles are strong among the Alexieff group'. General Savinkoff supports General Alex-

ie£F, considering that strong measures are necessary against the Bolsheviks. General Korniloff is not taking an active part in the controversy.

The Bolshevik forces concentrated on the Don border are fraternising with the CoseacKs.

The Bolshevik Telegraph Bureau reports that the Don district is shortly forming itself into an independent republic with KaJodin, probably, as the Premier.

An Ail-Ukrainian Sea Congress has been summoned, to be held at Kieff on January 23, to discuss questions regarding Ukraina districts and the Constituent Assembly. It is reported that the Black Sea navy is proceeding to Ukraina for the reorganisation of the navy on a voluntary basis, like the organisation of trade unions. The French Government has appointed a commission to Ukraina (South-west Russia). It is semi-officiaily stated that Japan is prepared to protect Allied subjects and fulfil Entente obligations at Vladivostock, but does not intend to conduct an offensive against the Bolsheviks. FINLAND'S INDEPENDENCE. Germany, Denmark, and Norway have acknowledged Finland's independence. A Finnish delegation has left for England in order to influence Great Britain to acknowledge the republic. Later, it will visit France, Belgium, Italy, and Switzerland. Telegrams from Finland describe the situation as dangerous. The Red Guards refuse to obey the Senate, and there, is every indication of a revolution being prepared The Diet is getting measures ready against the Red Guards. THE KAISER AND POLAND. The Kaiser, replying to Prince Lubomirski, as spokesman of the Polish Regency Council, said he had learned with lively satisfaction that the actions of himself and his ally were regarded as the realisation of the Polish nation's longcherished wishes. NEGOTIATING WITH RUSSIA. A Russian wireless message slates that M. Trotsky has initiated negotiations with the Persian Government relative to the withdrawal of Russian forces from Persia, conditional upon similar arrangements with the Turks in accordance with the Brest-Litovsk Treaty of December 15. A SEPARATE PEACE. It is reported that Russia and Bulgaria have signed a separate peace. A RUSSIAN AMBASSADOR. M. Litvinoff, appointed Russian Ambassador to London by the Bolsheviks, is conducting business as the Russian Plenipotentiary from his home in a small maisonette in West Hampstead. He is assisted by his wife. .Probably this is the smallest Embassy in history. Although not recognising the Bolshevik Government, the British Foreign Office has established semi-official relations with Trotsky through Litvinoff.