REVOLUTIONARY RUSSIA.

Otago Witness, Issue 3337, 27 February 1918, Page 19

REVOLUTIONARY RUSSIA.

RAPID ADVANCE OF GERMANS. CHAOTIC ATTEMPTS AT ORGANISATION. GERMAN PEACE TERMS ACCEPTED. (By Cable.) EXPLANATIONS IN THE REICHSTAG. Von Kuhimann, addressing the Reichstag Committee, said that Russian appeals for help were daily becoming more numerous and more urgent. Germany could not tolerate the destruction of young Finland or the outrages in Lithuania and Esthonia, nor permit the Bolsheviks to carry out their threats against Ukrainia. The cession of Kholm had created a bad impression, but it was the only decision possible without blocking peace with ."Ukrainia. The Austrian Premier had declared that Kholm would not be ceded to Ukrainia, but a mixed commission of Poles and Ukrainians would consider the matter ethnographically, and if necessary the boundaries would be moved eastwards. The new war against Russia will strengthen the Bolsheviks' inclinations towards peace. Germany no longer believes in Russia's professions, and must consequently enforce order and peace in the occupied regions. Even to-day we are willing to conclude a peace corresponding .with our own particular interests. A decisive factor in the Ukrainian peace was the' valuable economic advantages Germany will gain during 1918. _ N Referring to the economic treaty with Ukrainia, von Kuhimann said that special arrangements had been made to enable the transportation of huge quantities of supplies from Ukrainia, of which Germany would have the advantage in the present year. During the discussion Herr Westarp (Conservative) expressed unmixed joy at the peace. He advised the exercise of the greatest reserve in dealing with Kholm. Von Kuhlmann, replying to questions, said that representatives of Ukrainia- and of Poland had not conferred before the settlement owing to the rapid conclusion of the peace. The Bolsheviks' attack on Ukrainia in force proved the existence there of food supplies. The delegations anticipated that the Poles would gravely question the cession of Kholm to but-it was essential to make peace speedily. Controversial questions were only the result of uncertainty. Trotsky's opposition to the Ukrainian Rada only arose when he realised that the Rada was conducting a Ukrainian, and not a Great Russian, policy. GERMANY'S PEACE TERMS. A Russian wireless message states: Replying to the Russian proposals of February 19, Germany, on February 21, intimated, her readiness to conclude peace as follows: Firstly, Germany and Russia to declare the state of war ended. Secondly, the regions west of a line indicated at Brest-Litovsk to the Russian delegation formerly belonging to Russia are no longer under Russian territorial protection. In the region of Dvinsk this line must be advanced to the eastern frontier of Courland. Germany and Austria-Hungary will define the further fate of these regions in agreement with their population. Thirdly, Livonia and Esthonia must be immediately cleared of Russian troops and Red Guards, and to be occupied by German police till security is guaranteed by their constitutions. Fourthly, Russia to conclude peace with Ukrainia, and evacuate Ukrainia and Finland. Fifthly, Russia to do her utmost to secure the orderly return of the East Anatolian frontiers to Turkey. Sixthly, complete demobilisation of the Russian army. Seventhly, the Russian fleets, including Entente warships, must be kept in Russian harbours till a general peace is signed, or till they are disarmed. Eighthly, the Russo-German commercial treaty of 1904 comes into force, and free export of ores must be guaranteed, and a new commercial treaty must be negotiated. < Ninthly, legal and political relations-to be regulated in accordance with the . first German-Russian Convention. Tenthly, Russia to promise to end her propaganda against the Quadruplice (four Central Powers). Eleventhly, the above conditions must be accepted within 48 hours, and the Russian plenipotentiaries must sign at Brest-Litovsk within three days a peace treaty, which must be ratified within a fortnight. The Matin states that a so-called ethnographical map, published in Berne in 1917 by German propagandists, showflt the delimitation of the Ukrainian and Polish frontiers, as defined at Brest-Litovsk. It shows that the western frontier given to Russia would run by Pskov and Kharkoff, merging into that which formerly was the easterly limit of Greater Poland; while Petrograd is shown as belonging to Fin- • land; The effect of this would be to drive Russia back to the Muscovite steppes. A previous message stated that Germany 'demanded an indemnity of £800,000,000, dnd the High Commissioner in a message also stated that Germany demanded an indemnity and insisted on acceptance withip 48 hours. RAPID GERMAN ADVANCE. German official : Hostilities on the Russian front began at noon. We crossed the Dvina towards Dvinsk without a fight. fWe also commenced an advance towards Kovel in response to Ukrainia's appeal. $Ve occupied Dvinsk with small enemy Resistance. A Russian attempt to blow tip the Dwina bridge was unsuccessful.

Austrians have captured Lutsk (Volhynia) unopposed. We advanced 20 kilometres astride the Riga-Petrograd railway, and advanced on wide sectors betweer% Dvinsk and Lutsk, and are marching on Rovno. We took prisoner 2500 soldiers and captured 100 guns and much rolling stock. We have entered Esthonia and passed through Werner. We have occupied Leal, in Esthonia, and reached Pernigal Lensal, on the Riga Gulf, traversed Wenden, approaching Wolmar, and between Dvinsk and Pinsk are pressing eastward. General Linsingen reports the occupation of important railway and road junctions. Rovno has been cleared of the enemy. The prisoners include a general, 425 officers, and'- 870 men. The booty comprises 1353 guns, 4500 motor cars, 1000 railway carriages, many laden with food. We have entered Minsk (an important railway junction 100 miles south-east of Vilna). This represents a 50-mile advance beyond the old lines. We occupied Hapsel and Esthonia, and- the First Esthonian Regiment, has placed itself at the disposal of the German commands. We are beyond Ronneburg, Wolmar, and Spandau, and entered Riczitza, amidst the rejoicings of the inhabitants. Thence we advanced on Luizin and occupied Minsk. Our assistance in the Ukrainia struggle for freedom is progressing.. We junctioned with Ukranian detachments at Novograd and Volynsk, and other columns are marching on Bubo. Our troops in Esthonia are pressing eastward. We have occupied Wary, Livonia, and Dubno. German official: We advanced by forced marches in Esthonia, the enemy resisting us at some points. We are approaching Reval. We took 1000. prisoners and liberated 600 Austro-Germans at Valk. We have captured Ostrow (taking 1000 prisoners) and Barbernovo, and occupied Bovrissov, Linsingen, Engrid, and Iskorov. As the Germans advance they-are issuing proclamations urging that further resistance is futile. The Germans are trying to cut the Libau-Kovno railway. The Russian Red Guards and soldiers are offering no opposition, but are retiring, leaving ammunition and supplies behind them. Headquarters express the opinion that, if the German northern advance continues, the fate of Petrograd will be decided within a fortnight. Reliable reports state thaty 10 German transports sailed from Danzig' on February 20, proceeding northwards. _ A naval squadron has quitted Libau, going northwards. A report from Russia says: The enemy has advanced 50 miles on the whole front. Aeroplanes are distributing leaflets advising calmness on the part of the inhabitants, and stating that the Germans will bring restoration of order and. food. The advance is not resisted anywhere. Forty thousand troops seized 27 trains and fled back to Moscow. The Germans are not taking prisoners, merely disarming them. The Bolsheviks are at their wits' end. The majority of the civilians are praying that the Germans will reach the city' before the anarchists kick over the traces. The British Consulate is crowded. All people, especially children, are warned to leave immediately. The Morning Post's Petrograd correspondent states that thousands of army horses have recently been starved to death, the soldiers selling the forage to pay their gambling debts. The condition of the Russian railways has long been deplorable. The Germans are gaining enormous booty and fighting material. They captured at Dvinsk sufficient food for a quarter of a million men for three weeks, also 30,000 tons of sugar, 600 locomotives, and 1000 wagons. The German invading forces, which had already over-run the entire war zone for 100 miles deep, consist of only one division of cavalry or infantry. The Daily News Paris correspondent states that Lenin and Trotsky are trying to resuscitate the half-demobilised army, but it is a degenerate rabble, with no fighting spirit left. The Bolsheviks are withdrawing the army from Finland. THE CAPTURE OF DVINSK. / The .Soviet chairman states that Dvinsk was taken by a force of only 100 Germans, owing to the local committee losing their heads. The committee will be tried by a revolutionary tribunal. "PREPARATIONS FOR RESISTANCE. A United Press message from Petrograd states that the authorities have given orders to stop the demobilisation of the Russian army and navy. They have also ordered the troops to resist ,the German advance. Preparations are being made to defend Petrograd. It has resolved to mobilise the whole of the able-bodied men and to confiscate all the property necessary for defensive purposes. Martial law has been established. Krylenko has issued a proclamation stating that the struggle continues not for certain peace terms, but to end the Soviets' power. He states that Germany is unable to throw large armies against Russia, but only small detachments ranging from 1000 to 2500. Krylenko appeals for small detachments to oppose the invader and check the forward movement. The Russians, in panic, evacuated Reval (on the Gulf of Finland) and Pskoff (on the Riga-Petrograd railway). The Bolsheviks hastily considered a scheme for defending Petrograd. When they assembled at the council table they learned that the available guns were in an appalling condition, essential parts being missing in consequence of the activities of German agents in the early days of the revolution. Troops have been ordered to dig trenches outside the capital, but different counsels prevailed with the realisation that the city can easily be starved, as the Germans command the railway system. THE MASSES ROUSED. The advance of the Germans has aroused the masses, who are rapidly enrolling to defend the capital. Martial law has been proclaimed in Petrograd, and a drastic

press censorship has been established. Stringent regulations have been issued against looting, and persons possessing arms have been ordered to hand them over to the military. Telegrams from Petrograd indicate that the Council of the Commissaries have resolved on resistance, and have sounded the French mission under General Disselle on the question of organisation for defence. Many non-Bolshevik Socialists favour guerrilla -warfare, believing that the proletariat of the Central Powers will yet rise. The commissaries, however, plead that they must, like defeated strikers, accept the enemy's terms and rescue the country and the revolution from ruin and exhaustion. The commissaries are issuing a pandemonium of decrees, proclamations, and exhortations. The first stated that the Germans intended to restore the landlords and bankers' monarchy, and called upon all workers to enrol in the Red Army and expel from the ranks and wipe off the face of the earth hooligans and cowards. That of an hour "later announced readiness to accept the Germans' terms. Perplexed peasants and soldiers are hurrying back to their villages faster than ever. The new national force will necessarily be raised from the unemployed, whose increasing numbers, owing to the-Bolsheviks' policy of closing mills and - factories, are becoming a serious danger. The enrolment of volunteers to defend the capital is proceeding rapidly. It is anticipated that 50,000 men will be under arms in a few days, besides soldiers who desire to fight. Special Socialist regiments are being formed from Esthonian, Lettish, and Mussulman regiments at Petrograd. Many women wish to take arms against the Germans, and also supporters of General Kaledin.

The same thing is happening at Kieff, Moscow, and Pskov. GERMANY'S TERMS ACCEPTED. ANOTHER DELEGATION. Russian official: JIM. Lenin and Trotsky have sent a message t-o Berlin announcing Russia's acceptance of Germany's peace conditions, and announcing that they are sending a delegation to Brest-Litovsk. A DISORGANISED NAVY. The disorganisation in the navy is irremediable. The majority of the crews oppose an active defence, and some demand their immediate discharge. The situation at Reval is tragic. The authorities desire to remove the warships to Kronstadt, but the ice prevents them. A similar position prevails at Helsingfors. The authorities are considering whether they ought to destroy the warships if it is possible to intern the crews in Finland as neutral territory. The Council of Commissaries has ordered the evacuation of Finland. The rapidity of.the German advance on Reval will decide the fate of the Russian Baltic fleet, which is ice-bound there, and the Helsingfors fleet, crews of which have deserted. The ships include four Dreadnoughts, seven big cruisers, and sixty-four destroyers. The capture of the big ships will not affect the British superiority, but the destroyers will prove most useful to Germany. It is expected that she will attempt to secure the Russian Black Sea fleet, but the Allies would mine the Dardanelles. The Russian Baltic fleet, .which was icebound at Hensingfors, has departed. According to reports in the Swedish press, -Germany is preparing to land a Finnish battalion of the German- army and other forces in Finland. These operations are to be accompanied by naval action in the Baltic, with landings also in those parts of Livonia and Esthonia (Baltic provinces) not already under German occupation. ALLEGED ATJSTRO- GERMAN DISAGREEMENT. Austrian newspapers threaten that Austria will refuse to renew the Avar with Rtiseia. Various telegrams indicate that the resumption of a state of war between the Central Powers and Russia has produced an Austro-German cleavage. Austrian newspapers warn Germany against reopening hostilities, in which Austria does not desire to participate. The Frankfurter Zeitung states that Austria and Germany have agreed' that Germany should undertake military action in Russia, while Austria will conduct operations in Ukrainia. A Vienna official report states: In accordance with the provisions of the Ukrainian peace treaty the Austro-Rus-Bian pre-war frontier is now completely restored. Herr von Seidler (Austrian Premier), in the Reichsrath, said that Ukrainia was convulsed by civil war. The whole of Russia was in a state of anarchy; chaos everywhere constantly extending, and every man's hand was against his fellow. All prophecies regarding the transport of foodstuffs were futile. THE KAISERJS HEART. The Kaiser has received a telegram from the Lubeck Senate asking that assistance be sent to the people of Esthonia. The Kaiser replied as follows: "The words of the Senate are • re-echoed profoundly in my heart. The desperate cry for help will not be unanswered. Rigorous measures will be taken against the gangs of marauders to end a situation of complete anarchy." HEAVY FIGHTING IN UKRAINIA. The Times Petrograd correspondent says that extraordinary stories are coming from Kieff describing the recent fighting between Bolshevik and the Ukrainian and Cossack forces. Over 2000 were killed and 9000 wounded. The lurid picture includes street battles, bombardment from both banks of the Dnieper, an artillery attack on the Pet-

chorsky monastery, while Bolshevik aeroplanes were bombing indiscriminately. Simultaneously wholesale looting wont on in shops and residences by armed hooligans and soldiers. The Jewish quarter particularly suffered. The Bolsheviks twice captured Kicff. The second time they were reinforced by six infantry regiments, two 'divisions of artillery, and cavalry from the south-west front. The artillery razed the walls of Petchorsky monastery, in which Ukrainians, Cossacks, and Cadets resisted for three days. Then the Bolsheviks entered and made the garrison prisoners. The Ukrainians fought in the centre of the town untd their ammunition was exhausted and they were suffering severely. Then they surrendered. Two days later detachments of Ukrainians and Cossacks reformed and reopened a violent fire in various parts of the town. During the t\ro days of terror 4-00 residents were killed. A Bolshevik report states that the massacre reached its climax by a murderous Cossack bombardment on the workers' quarters. Ultimately the Ukrainians and Cossacks were driven out, and took refuge in the Kieff Petchorsky monastery in the suburbs, using some artillery ; but they were surrounded on all sides. The Bolsheviks claim to have heavily defeated General Alexieff near Veronest (on the Bon), and Alexieff then retreated to Novocherkask. The Cossacks are forcing the miners at Taganrog to supply coal exclusively to towns in the Don region, and any railway men refusing to handle coal are being shot. There has been a two-days' fight at Odessa between the Ukrainians and the Bolsheviks. Ukrainian aeroplanes and ships bombarded the place. They fired over 500 shells into the town, which caused many casualties. KALEDIN AND ALEXIEFF. The Bolsheviks are despatching numerous Cossack battalions to the Don to assist the workers against General Kaledin. General Kaledin committed suicide owing to General Alexieff's offensive against the Bolsheviks. Kaledin wished this defensive to be localised. Alexieff is training all Cossack males. General Nazaroff succeeds Kaledin. The Bolsheviks claim that large revolutionary forces are advancing upon "Rostoff on the Sea of Azov and from the Caucasus. Alexieff has fled from Novocherkask. General Ivanoff and Archbishop Vladimir were killed in the fighting in the Petchersky monastery at Kieff. General Alexieff's operations are developing in the region of Lagantag. A violent encounter occurred near Postoff, while near Vonoriess the Bolsheviks are surrounded. Two outstanding forces are now arrayed against the Bolsheviks — namely, General Alexieff's army and the Church followers. General Alexieff and General Korniloff's forces are apparently increasing. It is reported that the Bolsheviks are sending an army of 100,000 under Ensign Krylenko against General Alexieff. General Alexieff has elaborately planned a conjunction with Generals Korniloff, Endel, Markoff, and Deueken to seize the railways, cut off all communications of Central and Northern Russia from the south, and make a clean sweep of the Southern Bolsheviks. If the. blockade is effective, it is stated that the Bolsheviks fear the superior discipline of Alexieff's army, and the ability of the large staff of officers. The results of the plan ultimately depend upon General Alexieff getting sufficient artillery and munitions. The Bolsheviks have arrested all members of f3ie Ukrainian Central > Rada and Ukrainian delegation at Brest-Litovsk, including the president, charging them with high treason. The Bolsheviks refuse to recognise the peace concluded by the Rada with the Central Powers. GERMAN PEACE WITH UKRAINIA. A German semi-official statement declares that the Ukrainian delegation to Brest-Litovsk. requested the German Government to rmake the following announcement to the German people: —" The Maximalists have undertaken a holy war against the Ukrainian Socialists. This barbarian invasion seeks to destroy our independence. Wo are concentrating new forces in order to oppose the northern hordes, and we look for help to the German army in our struggle for existence by protecting our northern frontier. We know that our voice.will be heard." The newspaper Germania asserts that the Bolsheviks are burning stocks of grain in Ukrainia, as far as possible. A semi-official Austrian statement, evidently intended to justify the invasion of Ukrainia, says the revolt in Ukrainia is purely a political pretext for the Bolshevik marauders, who are plundering, murdering, and burning. Many are utilising armed motors and armoured trains, and their swiftness has hitherto prevented the Rada troops from •coping with the marauders. Immediate action by the Central Powers is imperative. The Daily Chronicle's Amsterdam correspondent says that the signing of the Ukrainian peace is already the subject of a film, and the scene is now showing in the German kinema theatres. Vonvaerts declares that the treaty is a mere scrap of paper, and can only be made effective when signed again with German blood. The separation of North Russia from Ukrainia is "merely momentary ; they cannot be kep£ separate by foreign bayonets. Two thousand Ukrainians, representing a quarter of a million of the population in Canada, have denounced the separate peace and resolved to carry on the war. They have issued a statement to the Dominion Government offering to mobilise Ukrainian labour to carry on Avar duties provided -;• the Government removes the stigma that they axe alien enemies. ' Sir R. L. Borden has given a favourable

reply, declaring that the offer is entitled to consideration. POSITION IN FINLAND. Large detachments of Petrograd troop 3 aro en route to Viborg. The backbone or General Mannerheim's White Guards is composed of several thousand Finns'from Germany, who aro well equipped with artillery. General Mannerheim commands about 60,C00 men. The White Guards captured Tammenfors, which is burning. A Helsingfors massage reports that 15,000 Red Guards, armed with rifles and machine guns, have arrived in Southern Finland from Petrograd. • The Red Guards are gradually concentrating at Memmerfors. They are pressed on all sides by the White "Guards, who are seizing important junctions with a view to cutting it off from Helsingfors. A decisive battle is expected near Vilpall for the mastery of the middle of Finland. Russian aviators are dropping leaflets inciting the population. It is reported that a German officer, instructed from Berlin-, is assisting the White Guards. This is regarded as treachery. A report from Haparanda states that four vessels have arrived from Germany, bringing provisions, German volunteers, Finnish cavalry who formerly served in Germany, 100,000 rifles, and a large quantity of field and machine guns. A strong offensive is expected towards Viborg and Mammerfors. The Red Guards at Vibo'-jj are receiving further large reinforcements of guns and armoured cars. It is reported from that all the money in the State Bank was stolen, and sent to Petrograd for the purchase of arms and provisions. The Russians systematically loot the homes of all residents not favouring the revolution, and resisters are shot. Members of the Red Guard continue killing and stripping prisoners taken in fighting, and many naked corpses have been found. The White Guards drove back the Red Guards at many points, and captured Bjorneborg and Tammersfors. They are now advancing towards an important junction on'the Helsingfors-Viborg railway. Several hundred White Guards reached the Aaland Islands after crossing on the ice. Their arrival caused further bloody fighting with the Russians. The White Guards, after a violent defeat, fled across the ice and took refuge aboard the Swedish expedition's ships. Another Swedish expedition departed to the Aaland Islands on the 18th, carrying soldiers, who will form a guard on theislands for the duration of the war. SOUTH RUSSIA. The Daily Chronicle'3 Petrograd correspondent says: A Socialist delegation which visited the South of Russia with a view to obtaining food found a vast quantity of corn being sold at 6d and 7d per lb, but the Ukrainians refused to supply it, saying that if it were sent at all it must be addressed to the Constituent Assembly and not to Leninists. The delegation refused to accept the conditions. A pro-Austrian feeling has arisen in Southern Russia, owing to the Boli sheviks' attack upon the bourgeoisie. Harbin telegrams state that the German prisoners in Siberia are entirely free. Many are openly trading in German goods : others are coming north from Manchuria with Russian passports, which they say are purchaseable at 100 roubles each. Prompt allied action is necessary to combat German occupation of these districts. THE CAUCASUS. A Turkish army has appeared at Trebizond. • DISEASE, MURDER, AND ROBBERY. It is reported that Kerensky has arrived at Christiania. The attempt to assassinate M. Rodzianko, ex-Duma President, failed. A group of officers endeavoured to stop his carriage in South Russia. They fired several shots and injured M. Rodzianko and M. Coalhage, but both escaped. Complete disorder continues in Petrograd, and machine guns aro heard in all quarters. During the nights many murders, garrottings, and robberies- occur.. The Italian Ambassador, when returning in a sleigh, was held up by three armed men, who took his fur coat and valuables. Advices from Petrograd state ( thai nearly a persons were killed during the rioting in Petrograd, where anarchy still prevails. The- White Guards at Petchersk massacred 1400 Red Guards. Telegrams from Petrograd disclose that the situation remains unchanged. Famine is imminent, and there is bitter distress among all classes. Typhus has appeared in Petrograd, where the hospitals are full to overflowing: 60 per cent, of the cases provo fatal. There is an outbreak of plague in Southern Russia. Delayed messages from Petrograd reflect unspeakable chaos owing to the unbridled license.' Hordes of Red Guards perpetrate wholesale robberies and confiscations. Owners of more than three horses or four sheep or two pigs are heavily taxed, and! the Soviets and Peasants' Committee get 25 per cent, of the proceeds. A perfect saturnalia of murder, outrage, and robbery continues. As the result of the simplification of divorce proceedings there were 38,000 applications for divorce in three months. When Mihileff was evacuated. General Yanuskevitch, a former chief of the General Staff, was taken prisoner. " Ha was travelling in a train to Petrograd, and attempted to seize a revolver when told he was to be interned in a fortress. The Red Guards thereupon shot him dead. The Russian press states that the Bolsheviks will assume freedom of action towards British residents in Russia if the British Government withholds official acknowledgment of Litvinoff. They also threaten energetic repressive measures against the British and Americans unless the pressure causing the closing of tha Manchurian border is removed. The Daily Chronicle's Moscow corra-

spondent says that he has conversed with Austro-German prisoners roaming the streets, and found them dejected and indignant. They desired to return to their homes, but they are not permitted to go through their own front. They were sent back under a promise that they would return via Finland, which route is now closed owing to the upheaval there. Some 1400 Austro-Germans are living in railway trucks at Moscow station, penniless, and dependent on the Bolsheviks' chai-ity for food and drink. The group of Grand Dukes and Duch- . ces'es has petitioned the Bolshevik Government to permit the ex-Czar arid his family to take refuge in France or England. IN MOSCOW. The Daily Chronicle's Moscow correspondent writes: The Bolsheviks' regime is milder here, and the trace of starvation is less imminent. It is a city of refuge for intelligents. Many officers are selling newspapers in the streets; others are unloading trucks and sweeping crossings. The proletariat is not faring much better. The factories are gradually closing, and unemployment is increasing owing to the want of raw material. Men in soldiers' uniform are making great profits by selling food at excessive prices, after securing the ■■ Revolutionary Committee's authority to confiscate the peasants' goods, the peasants being flogged if they fail to give up their goods. The " intelligents" are not seeking palliatives ; they are convinced by the masses ■that they must learn by bitter experience what Bolshevik Socialism means. REPUDIATING LOANS. An official decree has been issued annulling all loans, except in the case of Russians holding Government bonds for under 10,000 roubles. These bondholders can excharee their scrip for certificates in the new loan of the Russian Socialistic Federal Republic. The same applies to Savings - bank, cooperative, and other Socialistic institutions. All money not strictly earned by-personal labour will be confiscated. The. text of the repudiation of the national debt cancels ail Government debts of every description as from December 14. All foreign loans are cancelled unconditi'jnaUy, without exception. Representatives of nineteen Allies and neutrals presented to the Bolsheviks a note" refusing to recognise the decrees which repudiated the State loans and confiscated property in rx> far as foreign subjects were affected. The note Warned ilv> nation that the signatories would at a later date insist up<>u satisfaction for all lQJSesi sustained under those decrees. POLES INDIGNANT. The Polish Government has issued the following proclamation : --- We protest before God, the world, and history against a new partition of Poland by the separation of Kholm (which mis been given to UkrainiaJ. The General Powers promised us our independence, but have now bought peace with Ukrainia by selling a Polish province. The Lokal Anzieger (Berlin) says that the above proclamation is equivalent to a declaration of war by Poland against the Central Powers, who liberated Poland from the Czar's yoke. The Germans have levied on Warsaw 250,0C0 marks as punishment for the recent disorders there. Vienna telegrams report a tumultuous session of the Reichsrath. In the crowded House the President be- . gaii reading the Emperor's congratulations en the conclusion of peace with Ukrainia, when the Poles quitted the Chamber singing the Polish anthem. The Czechs deinanded the cessation of hostilities with Russia. Great uproar i.olio wad,, tb.£ Czechs

shouting : "Down with von Seidler" (the Austrian Premier). A BOLSHEVIK AMBASSADOR. Litvinoff (Bolshevik Ambassador in London), interviewed, said he was astonished at the announcement that Russia was signing a German peace. He did not regard this unfavourably, but withheld judgment until in possession of full details. His landlord ejecte'd M. Litvinoff, the Bolshevik nominee as Russian Ambassador, from his offices in Victoria street, on the ground that he has not observed the clause prohibiting propaganda work. JAPANESE WATCHFULNESS. The menace to Petrograd is exciting the closest attention in Japan. In view of the imminence of complete German domination of. Russia, there is special significance in the presence of Japanese warships at Vladivostock. Japanese assistance has hitherto been purely naval and financial, but it may shortly take another form, because of the / continued German advance, which will-' probably give Germany control of the TransSiberian railway. The New York Times' Mexico City correspondent states that 1000 Japanese have sailed for Japan, foreshadowing Japan's more active participation in the war. Tyenaga, in a speech in New York, said that Japan was ready to send an. army -to Russia at a moment's notice, and was merely awaiting the Allies' signal. Importance is attached in London to the Japanese Ambassador's interview with Mr Balfour. THE FAR EAST. _M. Marcel Hutin expresses the opinion that the danger of Germany's expansion in the Far East is accentuated by Russia's break up. He adds : "When the Republic of Siberia is constituted we shall have an energetic representative there, for the enemy will permeate Siberia and establish himself at Vladivostock. The Entente Powers, including America, had confidence to the last in the Bolsheviks, but Mr Wilson's eyes are now opened. Japan can now play an important part in this theatre. Will the Entente Powers allow her to accomplish it?" DEPARTURE OF EMBASSIES. The Japanese and American Embassies and Chinese, Siamese, and Brazilian missions left Petrograd on Saturday. They are going to Piatka, and, if necessary, will reside in Siberia or Vladivostock. Many centres report the formation of revolution detachments, formed of soldiers and civilians.