Russia

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXV, Issue 72, 22 February 1918, Page 5

Russia

REMARKABLE INCIDENTS.

Press Assn.—Copyright.—Australian and N.Z. Cable Assn., and Reuter. Petrograd, February 20.

A group of Grand Dukes and Duchesses petitioned the Bolshevik Government to permit the ex-Czar and his family to take refuge in France or England. It is reported from Helsingfors that all the money in the State Bank has been stolem and ■ sent to Petrograd for the purchase of arms and provisions. The Russians systematically loot the homes of all residents hot favorinor the revolution®'' ‘resisters being J; * shot. -V; The Red Guards; continue killing and stripping war I prisoners. Many naked corpses hatfe! b,eeu. found. The Russian ’ press that the Bolsheviks will assume freedom of action towards Britislj residents in Russia if the British. Government withholds officiali acknowledgment. They also threaten, energetic repressive measures on British-ant} Americans unless the pressure -causing the closing ol the Manchurianahhfdex is removed. THE UKRAIkI PEACE. , > ’ - h. } Press Assn.—^Copyright.—Australian and N.Z. Cable. Assiv and Reuter. Amsterdam, February 20. A semi-official:'Austrian statement, evidently" in-tended :t,9 )V justify, the , invasion of Ukraine,, -says the revolt in Ukraine was purely a political pretext for Bolshevik marauders, who are plundering, murdering, and burning, many utilising armed motors ■ and armored trains, their swiftness having hitherto prevented the Rada troops from coping with the marauders. Immediate action by the Central Pow-ers-was imperative. Vienna official; In accordance with the provisions of the Ukraine peace treaty, the Austro-Russian pre-war frontier is now completely restored. In the two days’ fight at Odessa between the Ukrainians and Bolsheviks, the Ukrainian aeroplanes and ships bombarded and fired over 500 shells on the town, causing many casualties. THE ENEMY ADVANCE. PASSAGE OF THE ARMIES. Press Assn.—Copyright.—Australian and N.Z. Cable Assn, and Reuter. Loudon, February 21. German official; We entered Ethonia and passed through. Werner. A wireless German official report says: We advanced twenty kilometres astride the‘Riga—Petrogratl railway. We‘also advanced on wide sectors between Dvinsk and Lutsk, and are now marching on Rovno. We took 2500 prisoners, and captured 100 guns and much rolling stock.” GERMAN FOREIGN MINISTERS VIEWS. Press Association—Copyright, Australian and N.Z. Cable Association Amsterdam, February 20. Dr Kuhlraann, addressing the Reichstag Committee, said Russian appeals for help were daily more numerous and urgent. Germany could not tolerate the destruction of young Finland, or outrages in Lithuania or Esthouia, nor could she permit the Bolsheviks to carry out threats against Ukraine. The cession of Kliolm had created a had impression, but it was the only decision possible without blocking peace with Ukraine. 'Hie Austrian Premier had declared that Kholm would not he ceded to Ukraine, but a mixed comission of Poles and Ukrainians would consider the matter ethnographic-ally. and ii necessary the-boundaries would lie removed eastwards.

Dr Kublmann. speaking in the Reichstag, said: The war against Russia will strengthen the Bolsheviks’ inclinations towards peace. Germany no longer believes Russia’s prolessions, ami must consequently enforce: order and peace in the occupied regions. Eveji to-dav we are willing to conclude ;i po<u*c corresponding to oni ovs n portico la r interests. M The decisive factor, in the Ukraine peace, lie continued, was the valuable economic advantages Germany will gain during 1918.

ROUMANIAN PEACE TALK.

Press Association —Copyright, Australian and N.Z. Cable Association Amsterdam, February 20.

A telegram from Vienna states than the Roumanian Government lias expressed a desire to enter upon preliminary peace discussions with representatives of the Central Powers. Count Czernin and others will shortly be going to Roumania. Competent quarters cpine that Roumania is not ripe for peace t and that-she is still entertaining far-reaching aspirations, and appeals determined to continue fighting if the negotiations do not satisfy her aspirations. DEMOBILISATION ENDED. DEFENCE OF PETROGRAD. Press Association —Copyright, Australian and N.Z. Cable Association (Received 10.35 a.m.) New York, February 21. A United Press message from Petrograd states that the authorities have ordered the stopping of the demobilisation of the Russian Army and Navy, and have also ordered the troops to resist the German advance, preparations are being made to, defend'Petrograd. THE FATE OF THE CAPITAL. FORTNIGHT TILL THE FALL. "ress Association—Copyright, Austral lian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Received 10.35 a.m.) Petrograd, February 20. Headquarters express the opinion that if the German northern advance continues the fate of Petrograd will be decided within a fortnight, GERMAN OFFENSIVE.

PROGRESS OF THE INVADERS',

Press Association —Copyright, Austraaan and N.Z. Cable Association i(Received 9.20 a.m.) Petrograd, February 20. The German offensive continues in the direction of Vitebsk, Molodetchns, and Minsk. It is believed Rieshiteba has already fallen.

STRANDED IN SWITZERLAND.

Press Assn. —Copyright.—Australian and N.Z. Cable Assn., and Reuter, (Received 8.55 a.ra.) Berne, February 21.

Wireless advice states that since the Bolsheviks’ advent to Petrograd all remittances to Switzerland haie been stopped; hence many thousand Russians in Switzerland are destitute. Swiss hotelkeepers and others have allowed them to continue to lodge and board on credit. The Swiss Government now appeals to the Bolsheviks to acknowledge this generous hospitality by a remittance covering the Russian liabilities aggregating twenty million francs.

THE CESSION OF KHOLM.

(AUSTRO-POLISH EMBROILMENT.

GERMAN SLIMINESS.

Press Association —Copyright, Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Received 8.55 a .in.) London, February 21.

Newspaper comments on the Polish outcry suggest that Germany welcomes the 'Austro-Polisb embroilment. Austrian and’ German interests in Poland have always been antagonistic. Germany now wishes to convey the impression in Poland that she was reluctant to cede Khohn, thus throwing the odium on Austria. Germany at the same time really welcomes the opportunity to develop her eastern schemes beyond the Black Sea. The cession of Kholm. would enable her to play the part of Ukraine’s friend and all v.

TYPHUS EPIDEMIC.

New York, February 20

The New York World’s Peirograd correspondent reports that typhus is spreading fast. Ihe Petrograd hospitals being tilled to overflowing. Sixty per cent, of il e cases are tahil.