RUSSIAN CRISIS.

Taihape Daily Times, 18 February 1918, Page 5

RUSSIAN CRISIS.

THREAT TO MARCH ON.REVAL AND PETROGRAD. KULMANN SAYS STATE OF WAR HAS RESUMED. PARIS, February 15. The "Matin's" Zurich corespondent states that it has been formally confirmed that if M. Trotsky does not give Germany a clear answer whether he wants war or peace, German troops will march on Reval and Petrograd. AMSTERDAM, February 15 A Berlin report of the final scene at Brest Litovsk says that Dr. von Kulilmann stated that peace had not been concluded with Eussia, and that the armistice was ended. "The war must therefore be recommenced," he declared. Vienna advices state that the Central Powers will provide the Ukraine with military assistance for the defence of her grain stocks and railway junctions against the Bolsheviks. An inspired statement in the Austrian Press explains that the food shortage necessitated peace with the Ukraine, which was only reached by tie cession I of Kholm.

GERMAN PLAN OF BLOCKING A UNITED POLAND. PETROGRAD, Feb. 15Polish news indicates that Germany is disregarding the phrases about self determination and is splitting Poland into may fragments, adding some of the Ukraine and others to Lithuania, with the object of checking the establishment of a united Poland. POLISH PROTEST. CROWD IN ANGRY MOOD. ZURICH, February 15. The representatives of all the Polish parties met at Cracow, and protested against the cession of Polish territory, to the Ukraine. An enormous and tumultuous crowd outside the conference building broke the windows of the Austrophile National Committee's building. LITVINOFF'S WORK." REVOLUTIONAEY PROPAGANDA. LONDON, February 15. Sir George Cave, (Home Secretary) announced that the Home Office was seriously considering documents which M. Litvinoff was distributing through the British Trades Union secretaries, under the stamp of the Russian Embassy. These documents summon the proletariat to a revolutionary figjht against the British Government , and burgeoise. ; . ,i.. r . ~ THE POLISH SITUATION. MILITARY OCCUPY WARSAW. Received 8.45 COPENHAGEN, Feb 17. Great workmen's and peasants' anti-German demonstrations are flaming throughout Poland. The military have occupied Warsaw, and the streets, restaurants, and theatres have been closed 1 RUSSIA'S RETIREMENT. CENTRAL POWERS MAY BE SURPRISED. LONDON, Feb 16. A special says that the recent Russian developments are full of possibilities and surprise and serious embarrassment to the Central Powers. The dissolution of the old Russian peril deprives the artificial AustroGerman unity of its former impelling force. Austria is desperately anxious for peace, no longer sharing the common antagonism, and may breakaway from German control and cease to set herself against the natural developments of the Slav races. The Austrian internal position is already perilous owing to a determined, probably permanent, Slav union against the Government. Beneath the masterful German announcements and threats against anti-Bolsheviks, are signs of nervousness and hesitation. Reports from Vienn a state that the Austrians are puzzled by the possible ramifications of the Bolshevik policy. It Is supposed that Trotsky expects tliat the Central Powers do not intend to attack Russia. The latter can then afford to await the results of the Western offensive.

GERMANY TO FIGHT RUSSIA.

| AMSTERDAM, Feb 16. It is reported that a German conference of political and military men decided, in view of Trotsky's evasion, that they were quite free to renew the war against Russia. The first operation will probably support Ukraine. A well-informed authority states that Trotsky xeturned to Petrograd and told the people that he had cleverly avoided the German conditions, but that German troops would follow him.