REVOLUTIONARY RUSSIA.

Otago Witness, Issue 3335, 13 February 1918, Page 17

REVOLUTIONARY RUSSIA.

TERROR, MURDER, AND PILLAGE. THE CTVrL WARFARE CONTINUES. FAILURE OF PEACE NEGOTIATIONS. (By Cable). THE PEACE NEGOTIATIONS. The German official account, of Sunday's sitting at Brest-Litovsk states that M. Trotsky demanded the withdrawal of Austro-German troops from Poland, so as to enable the people to give a free expression of opinion. Count Czernin protested against M. Trotsky's statement that it was impossible to negotiate with the Polish delegation because Poland had no fixed- boundaries and had no established independent Government. Czernin pointed out that the same applied to Russia, adding: "We hava not come here for an intellectual wrestling match." A continuation of the discussion on Poland being unprofitable, von Kuhlmann peremptorily closed the sitting, stating that it was impossible to follow M. Trotsky's dialectics and apparent contradictions, first claiming the independence of Poland and then later denying Poland's right to be heard separately. Von Kuhlmann concluded by saying that unavoidable duties • necessitated a short absence on his part, but negotiations between the representatives of the other Central Powers and Russia and the legal and economic commission could proceed. A message from Brest-Litovsk statee that, replying to the Russian demand for Polish independence, von Kuhlmann said he could not understand why M. Trotsky • separated Poland from the western border nations. He asked whether M. Trotsky was willing to acknowledge their independence, and added that Poland was neither a State nor a kingdom, nor did it possess geographical boundaries ; but the German Government did not desire to act arbitrarily, and wished only to examine the status of the Polish Government. Count Czernin said he considered the Jast argument useless, as the Russian republic did not possess determined frontiers. M. Trotsky agreed to acknowledge Polish independence, but refused to recognise Kounharshevsky's Government because it was not representative of the Polish people. The sudden return of von Kuhlmann and Count Czernin to Berlin is regarded as foreshadowing a rupture at BrestLitovsk. Von Hindenburg and Ludendorff have arrived to confer with the Kaiser, Hertling, Kuhlmann, Czernin, and Talaat Pasha, regarding peace. Practically the whole of the German newspapers are gravely dissatisfied over the latest developments at Brest-Litovsk. They declare that it is useless to continue such a comedy. Trotsky is fooling the Central Powers, and ought forthwith to be brought to his senses. Political circles inTJerlin state that the Central Powers' war conference was mainly occupied with the conclusion of peace with Ukraina, which the Government considers likely, though a settlement with Trotsky is improbable. . In order to come to an agreement with Ukraina it is necessary that Germany should not break off pourparlers at Brest-Litovsk. Though the armistice expired on the 7th, it must not be concluded that Germany is about to denounce the armistice. The absence of reports from M. Trotsky for three days at Brest-Litovsk, is explained by the German agents' .action in cutting the telegraph to suppress news of the German domestic troubles. The Exchange Telegraph's Petrograd correspondent reports that the peace negotiations at Brest-Litovsk have been broken off. The Central Powers decline to modify their fundamental terms and allow the Russian delegates to visit Moscow and Vilna. The Daily Express Petrograd correspondent reports that the Russian delegates at Brest-Litovsk have telegraphed that upon the resumption of negotiations the Central Powers demanded the immediate signing of a separate peace. The Russians unanimously refused to do this. Despite this rebuff, the Central Powers dared hot break off negotiations, fearing that thereby they would make it impossible to conclude the urgently-desired bread treaty with Ukraine. The North German Gazette semi-officially reports that a condition of anarchy exists in Russia, where the majority detest but fear the Bolsheviks. It adds significantly, on the authority of neutral travellers, that nearly all the inhabitants say : " We want the Germans to come ; only they can help us." CAMPAIGN AGAINST RUSSIA. The Berne correspondent of The Times states that Berlin neAvspa.pers publish, sensational reports of a conference on the 6th in_t. between the Austrian and German headquarters staffs. It is stated that they decided \tpon great plans' for a campaign in Northern Russia as well as in the west. Von Ludendorff was very dictatorial. He insisted upon special measures against revolutionary movements. Poland's future was inconclusively discussed. The Gernmns adhered to their demands to monopolise the mining and industrial regions, leaving Austria only-the agricultural portions. Germany, has delivered what the Vor-

waerts calls an ultimatum to tho Bolsheviks, requiring Trotsky to accept the German demands of t>ITS 27th December, otherwise war against Russia will be resumed. The Norddeutsche semi-officially states that the Central Powers intimated that they are unalterably resolved against the evacuation of Western Russian territories, claiming they already have gone an extraordinarily long way "to meet the Russians on tho question of the right of national self-determination. Further concessions were impossible. PEACE TREATY WITH UKRAINIAN RADA. After hearing the statement of the Ukrainian Rada's representative at the Brest-Litovsk Conference, the Central Powers' delegation decided to recognise the representative of the Rada as entitled to speak for Ukraine. Tho Daily Express's Amsterdam correspondent believes that von Knhlmann and Count Czernin returned to Berlin with the terms of a complete peace treaty _ with Ukraine for the purpose of submitting it to the Kaiser. It is understood that this treaty embraces political, military,- and economic matters, and jDrovides for_ the exportation of vast quantities of Ukrainian wheat to Germany. A German semi-official message states that a peace treaty was signed by Germany and the Ukrainian Rada. UKRAINIANS DEFEAT BOLSHEVIKS. Reuter's Agency states that light is thrown upon the obscure situation in Ukraine by a speech of a representative of the Rada at the Brest-Litovsk Conference. He stated that 90 per cent, of the Rada's candidates were elected to the Constituent Assembly, as compared with 10 per cent, of Bolshevik candidates. The Ukrainian Convention of Soviets at Kieff overwhelmingly declared for the Rada, whereupon a small group of Bolsheviks went to Kharkoff and declared itself a new Government of the Ukrainian people's republic, though it hardly represented the town of Kharkoff, much less tho republic. A Russian message states that the Ukrainian Soviets are now the supreme authority in Ukraine. An- agreement has been reached for a federal Union with Russia and complete unity on foreign and internal affairs. German reports state that the Ukrainian Rada has concentrated half a million troops near Kieff. According to the Vossische Zeitung, the Rada troops have recaptured Kharkoff (in South'Central Russia). The position in Ukraine continues to excite public discussion. A Berlin message puts a new aspect upon the Ukraine problem. It states that the Grand Duke Nicholas is behind General Kaledin, who, with -150,000 men, has joined the Ukrainian troops. The message adds that a mass of people at Petrograd are ready to join in the movement. Heavy fighting preceded the fall of Kieff. The Bolsheviks brought up 200 guns, and the Ukrainians were forced to retreat, blowing up the Dnieper bridge. General Kaledin's opposition to active operations against the Bolsheviks rather limits the Cossacks' activities in defence of the D on district. It is reported that great numbers of officers and soldiers have "volunteered to serve in General Alexieff's army, and many officers are even joining as privates. Brest-Litovsk reports state that the Ukrainians in a'great battle routed the Bolsheviks, capturing 200,000 rifles, 300 machine guns, and 200 truck loads of munitions. It is announced from the same source that the Bolsheviks vainly endeavoured to occupy Kieff, and were severely defeated. The casualties include 3COO killed at Kieff. The Rada's position is daily strengthening Fighting of a scattered nature sways throughout Finland The White Guards suffered defeat at Nystad, the Red Guards pursuing them until they sought refuge in the direction of Aaland. It is reported that the Red Guards were totally defeated at Tammerfors, losing several thousand killed and wounded. Scandinavian refugees declare that terrorism prevails, the Red Guards resorting to awful practices. General A-lexieff is reported to be marching north, and has occupied a number of stations in the direction of Kharkoff and Voronesh (South Central Russia). BOLSHEVIK COMMANDER CAPTURED Owing to Polish legions threatening the headquarters of General Mohiloff, the latter is transferring them to Petrograd. The Lett regiments which were sent to Mohiioff refused to fight against the Poles. Any armed Polish officers taken prisoner will be handed over to revolutionary tribunals, and in the event of resistance they are liable to be shot without trial. It is reported that the Poles have captured Mohilev (east of Minsk) and taken "Ensign" Krylenko, the Russian Com-mander-in-Chief, prisoner. The report of the occupation of tho Bolshevik main headquarters at Mohilev (or Mogilev) follows the announcement that 26,(KX) Polish legiona:i«3 belonging to the Russian army, who joined in the revolt against the Bolsheviks, have succeeded in occupying Rogatcheff, 60 miles southward. The" capture of Ensign Kyrlenko (Bolshevik Commander-in-Chief) at Mohileff (east of Mimsk) was a precautionary measure on the part of the Poles, taken as a result of the Bolsheviks arresting the Polish Military Committee engaged in the organisation of the Polish army. Tho Russian Commander-in-Chief and his staff are regarded as hostages for tho Polish Committee's safety. The Bolsheviks are opposing the idea of a separate Polish army, which would fight against the Germans under their own officers, although half a million Poles are included in the Russian army. When the Bolsheviks ordered a Polish army corps to march against tho Ukraine forces the

Poles flatly refused. The Bolsheviks then attempted" to disarm one regiment, murdering two officers with revolting cruelty. Simultaneously numbers of disbanded Russian soldiers committed murders in Lithuania, which is largely peopled by Poles, and pillaged hundreds of stores and sugar refineries, outraging and killing all who resisted. The aged Prince Sanguszko was assassinated and his place destroyed. The Polish troops vigorously intervened in favour of their countrymen, and machine guns were used in the conflict. The Poles are determined to defend the Governments of Vitebsk, Mohileff, and Minsk against the Petrograd anarchists. Thus far the Poles have always gained the upper hand over the Bolsheviks, owing to their superior discipline and arms. Advices from Vienna state that the Poles have captured Smolensk from the Bolshe viks. FIGHTING IN FINLAND. WHOLESALE MASACRE ORDERED. General Mannenheim is besieging Freberg, which is strongly held by the Red Guards, but the White Guards have been largely reinforced and expect to capture the town. Severe fighting at Tornea favoured the White Guards, hut the Red Guards defeated the White. Guards at Kusby, near Helsingfors. The Bolshevik agency reports that the Red Guards captured Tammersfors, in Finland, after a fierce battle, defeating 10,000 White Gaiards commanded by the Finnish General Mannerheim. A considerable force of Maximalists has departed from Petrograd to reinforce the Red Guards in Finland. Russian troops have evacuated the Aaland Islands. A body of Red Guards, after their defeat at Trevaldo, escaped in a train. The White Guards at a neighbouring town despatched a train of troops to operate against them. The trains collided midway, many being killed on both sides, and the Red Guards were dispersed. The Morning Post's Stockholm correspondent says £hat the Red Guards in Finland have appealed to Sweden to recognise the new Socialist Government, but Sweden will probably ignore the communication. General Mannerheim, after several days of regular trench warfare, followed by itreet fighting, recaptured Uleaborg (near the head of the Gulf of Bothnia). The town was greatly damaged by fire, and hundreds were killed on either side. The Red Guards have decreed the death penalty for all White Guards taken prisoner. M. Trotsky sent the following message to the Red Guards : " Greetings to the heroic working classes now wresting the power from the bourgeoisie. Tho Finnish Republic is making itself a model of Socialist autonomy. Long live our sister Socialist Finland." The White Guards at Wasa report that civil war is in full swing in Finland. Twenty prominent Helsingfors men have been murdered, and properties 'and farms are daily being burned and pillaged, and unarmed people are being killed, especially in the south-west. The capture of Kemi and Tornea have given a great advantage to the White Guards. The Tidningen states that the Russians are ousting the Finnish Maximalists from Helsingfors. Russian: reinforcements are arriving, and the Baltic fleet, is threatening Helsingfors from Svenborg. The Finnish White Guard captured Kuopoi after 11 days' fighting, and took 500 Red Guards prisoners. TERRIBLE POSITION IN FINLAND. Terrible conditions prevail at Helsingfors and elsewhere. Wholesale massacres are reported, especially of young men of the better classes. The pupils at the industrial high school in Tammersfors escaped from the city, but were discovered by the Red Guards, who killed 120 of them. Scandinavians arriving from Finland state that the Finnish Red Guards and the Government seriously discussed, but finally rejected by two votes, a proposal for another St. Bartholomew's night, involving the slaughter of all capitalists. Finnish travellers from Helsingfors state that 100 persons are killed daily in the streets. Russian sailors, armed with swords and bayonets, dash from the warships, killing indiscriminately. Hordes of other ruffians are plundering and murdering in Helsingfors. The harbour is strewn with corpses, and the paving-stones in the streets are red with blood. Two members of the Diet were murdered, and the fate of five others is unknown. The Hotel Kemp, where many foreigners are residing, was bombarded. While murder and pillage were at their height, a proclamation was distributed in the streets calling upon the people to resist the red terror and calling upon officials to conceal important Government documents, Many soldiers, sick with the slaughter, are desirous of returning to Russia, but the Red Guards prevent them, even imprisoning some Russian soldiers. The Swedish Conservative newspapers are agitating for intervention in Finland and demanding the despatch of troops and material to assist the White Guards. The Socialist press claims that the Conservatives are trying to involve Sweden in war with Russia, and that the only solution of the situation is the joint intervention of all the Powers which recognised Finland's independence. THE LETTISH NATION. The Lettish plenipotentiaries' proclamation demands recognition of the undivided existence of the Lettish nation. It denies the Austro-German claim that the populations of Lettenia, Courland, and Riga desired separation from Russia. It demands • the withdrawal of the forces in occupation to enable a free expression of opinion. Russia has agreed to withdraw her forces, declaring that the Central Powers could not object if they believed the population desired separation.

A NEW REPUBLIC. Tha Bolsheviks havo seized tho ships in tho port of Ohilia and proclaimed th« Danube delta between Chili a and St. George an independent republic. FIGHTING IN BESSARABIA... Rumanian official telegrams state that the Rumanian army is fighting and disarming Russian troops. Disintegration on the Russian front in Moldavia is increasing daily, whole units proceeding to Russia and attacking Rumanian towns and villages en route. The Rumanians, after 24 hours' fighting, disarmed a Russian division and captured 50 guns, with which the Russians had been bombarding Galatz. They also disarmed and sent to Russia an army corps, which attacked Valticini, in Moldavia. Owing to the Red Guards stopping supplies from Bessarabia for Mol. davia the Rumanians, at the request of the Bessarabian Government, occupied the food centres in Bessarabia and also the Kichineff-Jassy railway. The Rumanians are now fighting the Bolsheviks throughout Bessarabia. Rumanian official i We have already broken up the Russian front in Moldavia. Rumania is protesting against the Russian terror and the wholesale arrests of prominent Rumanians, especially in Odessa. RUMANIAN LEGATION ESCAPE. A \vireles3 message states that the Rumanian Legation from Petrograd has arrived, after a perilous journey through Finland, a Bolshevik courier named Smir\ nov travelling in the same train, agains( which the Rumanian Minister, M. Dia* mandi, protested. Later an amazing incident occurred at Haparanda, where M. Smirnov received &' telegram from Trotsky, ordering him to kill Diamandi, bufc* the Finlanders, having knowledge of tha contents of the telegram, executed Smh> nov in the presence of the astonished Rumanians. TERROR, CHAOS; AND DISEASE. A Russian official message denies the statements that terror and chaos exist in Peti'ograd and elsewhere. It declares that at Kief! theßada has fled from authority, and at Kharkoff the Ukrainian Council is recognised. Forty-six Cossack regiments in the Don province revolted against Generals Kaledin and Duoff, who were defeated and fled. The internal situation is most critical. There was a sanguinary conflict on Sunday night on Vosnesensky Prospect, as "tho result of looting a wine and spirit store. The soldiers joined the mob, and all became drunk and commenced shooting ";one another until armoured cars with machine guns dispersed tho mob. This was only after 120 had been killed, and the bodies heaved into the ice-bound canals. The newspaper Aftonbladet states that war prevails throughout Russia, andv.violent fighting is- in progress in Petrograd and elsewhere. Cholera is widespread. The decrees establishing a new volunteer army. have been published. It is styled the Red Army of Workers and Peasants. The men are to be paid 50 roubles (about £5 ss) a month. Every volunteer must be recommended as a convinced revolutionary, and be prepared to give his life for the Soviet Government. The Bolsheviks officially announce that Soviet forces suppressed a counter-revolu-tion in the Government of Orenburg, completely defeating General DutofTs army. A telegram from Sevastopol states that Tartar forces have occupied Yalta, and are advancing on Sevastopol, dealing mercilessly en route with the Red Guards, sailors, and soldiers. Under new decrees, the supremo command of the Bolshevik army is vested in a council of commissaries. A naval conference decided to reorganise the navy on Anglo-Am e.vcan lines; with a maximum personnel of 42.000 men. The pay of sailors and officers alike will be 15G roubles a month.. " The local Soviets are releasing thousands of war prisoners, who are becoming nomads. There *are 40,000 in the Petrograd district alono. The Budapest Chamber of Commerce announces that negotiations for an AustroRussian exchange of goods on the Hungarian frontier (?) were fruitless of result. General Brussiloff las been arrested at Moscow by order of the local Soviet. REVOLUTIONARIES AND THE ; ORTHODOX CHURCH. The Daily Chronicle's Petrograd correspondent says: The Bolsheviks are now up against the Russian Orthodox Church. Prior to October the revolutionaries and the churches disregarded each other. The Church then elected a patriarch—namely, Tikhon, formerly the Metropolitan of Moscow —he replacing the ex-Czar as the Church's nominal head. The Bolsheviks began a propaganda ultimately aiming at the Church's complete An anti-religious agitation was started in the villages on tho pretext of counteracting the °anti-revolutionary activities of the

priest.-, ajid the Church lands were declared to bo common property. The Ministry of Public Welfare a few flays annexed the Alexandronevsky Lavra, in I'etrrigfad, one of the most important and wealthiest monasteries in KiJAsin, converting all its buildings except the churches into homos for the aged and Infirm Thi» action rvsnlled in fr-ee

fights in the Lavra grounds between themonks and the Red Guards. The latter remain in occupation of the monastery, whose buildings- and .property are of the size of a'-small city. Many religious protests and processions are expected in Petrograd, and bloodshed is predicted. The Bolsheviks have issued a decree separating the Church from the State, declaring complete freedom of conscience, forbidding religious teaching in schools, and declaring religious bodies to be incapable of owning property. The doings of four anarchist parties are attracting attention. The anarchists, in Petrograd dress entirely in black, and are always armed. It is predicted that the anarchists will shortly assert themselves. A bomb exploded in an anarchist club ;on Sunday, wounding 11 people. Mr Ransome writes from Petrograd that an immense anti-Bolshevik religious procession was held on Monday. The priests were clad in gold, green, silver, and purple robes, each church being represented by a cluster of rich banners and a group of ikons. The Bolsheviks wisely kept the Red Guards off the streets, and thus trouble was avoided, and the day passed quietly. . Food difficulties in Petrograd are acute. Many of the trains bringing food have been held up and looted by armed robbers. The peasants are disinclined to sell their flour and produce, and prices are soaring. A chicken realises 26s 3d, a small hare 30s, potatoes are 2s 6d per lb, and butter is almost unobtainable at 24s per lb, while sugar is 14s per lb. Under these conditions it is not surprising that crime and typhus are spreading together. ULTIMATUM TO BRITAIN. The Council of the People's Commis-' saries have sent an ultimatum to the British Embassy declaring that, unless Britain recognises Litvenoff as Russian Ambassador in London, Russia will take stringent measures against British subjects in Russia. An unconfirmed official despatch from Stockholm states that all the allied diplomats have been expelled from Russia. A Russian delegation has arrived at. Copenhagen en route for England and France. Its personnel includes Kameneff, who was among those for whom the Imperial Bank of Germany opened credits in Switzerland for sowing corruption. The Daily News New York correspondent says that it is believed that President Wilson intends to recognise the Bolshevik Government, on the ground that it would prove the democratic sincerity of the Allies, and would help the people's movement in Germany. Russian coastal batteries fired upon Swedish naval vessels that, were bringing Swedes from Finland. The Russians explain that they thought the vessels were bringing troops and munitions. APPEAL TO WORKERS. The Soviets have sent a wireless message appealing to the workers of Berlin and Vienna to do their utmost to ensure that

the Brest-Litovsk negotiations, begun with von Kuhlmann, may end with Liebknecht (the imprisoned German Socialist member of the Reichstag). DID GERMANY SUBSIDISE LENIN? The Petit Parisien publishes documents showing that Germany the Bolshevik movement with large sums of money paid to Lenin and Trotsky. This money also provided ,for the publication of Maximalist leaflets. One hundred and twenty thousand marks was placed at Gorki's disposal, and the Disconto Gesellschaft placed 252 thousand marks to Lenin's credit at Copenhagen,* promising another 120 thousand on hie arrival in Finland. Stockholm bankers' letters notify the opening of an account in Trotsky's favour by a Rheinisch Westphalian syndicate. The Imperial Bank of Germany instructed its representatives in Switzerland that the money was required for a pacifist propaganda in Russia, and would be paid through Finland to Lenin, Trotsky, Kolovski, and certain others. Lord Robert Cecil, commenting on the Petit Parisian's statement with respect to Lenin and Trotsky receiving financial assistance from Germany, said it appeared •inconsistent with their attitude at BrestLitovsk. The Press Bureau in a statement ad' duces evidence of the transfer of seven German divisions from the eastern to the western front ; subsequent to the signing of the Russo-German armistice on December 15, under which all transfers were prohibited. GRAND DUKE NICHOLAS. A telegram from Petrograd reports the death, at Tashkend, on the 3rd inst., of the Grand Duke Nicholas, Russian ex-Commander-in-Chief, under mysterious circumstances. It was a German newspaper report from Petrograd that the Grand Duke Nicholas was dead in Turkestan. French newspapers state that the deceased was Nicholas Constantinovitos, a cousin of the exgeneralissimo.