RUSSIAN CRISIS.

Taihape Daily Times, 20 February 1918, Page 5

RUSSIAN CRISIS.

RUSSIA WILL FIGHT GERMAN INVADERS. Received 9.30. NEW YORK, Feb 19. Th e United Press learns that the Petrograd Foreign Office announces that Russia will figM the German invaders. GERMANS LANDED IN FINLAND.. Rceived 8.50. STOCKHOLM. February 19. According to /reports Germany is preparing to land a Finnish battalian of the Germany army and other forces in Finland. These operations will be accompanied by naval action in the Baltic, with landings also in unoccupied parts of Livonia and Esthonia. RUSSIA INVADED. TWO TOWNS CAPTURED. Received 5.50. LONDON, February 19. • The Germans have captured Dvinsk and the Austrians have captured Lutsk ALL FOREIGN LOANS ANNULLED. Received 9.10. PETROGRAD, Feb. 19 An official decree has been issued annulling all loans except to Russians holding Government bonds under ten thousand roubles, who can exchange them for certificates in the new loan of the Russian Socialistic Federal Republic. The same applies to savings banks, co-operative and other Socialtic intitutions. All money not strictly earned by labour will be confiscated. A LURID PICTURE. V FIGHTING BETWEEN BOLSHEVIKS AND UKRAINE. Received 8.55. LONDON, Feb 19. The “Times” Petrograd correspondent says extraordinary stories arc coming from Kieff, describing recent fighting between Bolshevik, Ukranian and Cossack forces, in which over / two thousand were killed and nine thousand wounded. The lurid picture includes street battles, bombardment from both banks of the’Dueiper, artillery attack on Petchorsky monastery. Bolshevik aeroplanes are bombing indiscriminately and simultaneously. Wholesale looting went on in shops of residents by armed hooligans and soldiers. The Jewish quarter particularly suffered. Bolsheviks twice captured Kieff; the second time they wor e reinforce'd by six infantry regiments and two divisions of artillery and cavalry from the south-west front. The artillery razed the walls of Petchorsky, wherein the Ukranians, Cossacks and Cadets resisted for three days. Then the Bolsheviks entered and made the garrison prisoners. The Ukranians fought in the centre of the town until their ammunition was exhausted and they were suffering severely; then they surrendered. Two days later detachments of Ukranians and Cossacks reformed, and reopened a" violent fire in various parts of the town. During two days of terror 400 residents were killed. Bolshevik reports states that the massacre reached a climax by the murderous Cossacks’ bombardment on the workers’ quarter. Ultimately the Ukranians and Cossacks were driven out and took refuge in Kievopetchera monastery, in the suburbs, using artillery, but they were surrounded on all sides. Bolsheviks heavily defeated Alexieff near Veroness, and Alexieff retreated to Novocherkask, Cossacks forcing the miners of Taganrog to supply coal exclusively to towns in the Don region, and railway men refusing to handle coal were shot.

UKRAINIANS ARRESTED FOR TREASON.

Received 12.40

PETROGRAD, Feb 19

The Bolsheviks have arrested all members of the Ukranian Central Rada and Ukranian delegation at Brest Litovsk, including the president, charging them with high treason. The Bolsheviks refuse to recognise tne peace concluded by the Rada.

INTERNAL WAR DEVELOPING

PETROGRAD, Feb 18

General Alexieff’s operations are developing in the region of Tagantag. There was a violent encounter near Postoff, while near Vononess the Bolsheviks are surfbunded > Two outstanding forces are now arrayed against the Bolsheviks, namely, General Alexieff’s army, and the church followers. Alexieff and Eorniloff are apparently increasing their armies. It is reported that the Bolsheviks are sending an army of a hundred thousand, under Krylenko, against Alexieff.

MORE BLOODY FIGHTING.'

Received 10.50

STOCKHOLM, Feb 19.

A Helsingfors message reports that 17,000 Red Guards, armed with rifles and machineguns, have arrived in Southern Finland from Petrograd. Several hundred White Guards reached Aaland Islands, and after crossing the ic e caused further bloody fighting with the Russians, who now refuse to leave unless the White Guards also leave.

GERMANY FREE TO FIGHT

AMSTERDAM, Feb 18.

A Berlin official message says the Petrograd Government’s conduct has in effect terminated the armistice. Therefore, the Gferman Government claims that its hands are free in every respect.

STOCKHOLM, Feb 18

Petrograd advices show that The Leninists telegraphed to the Revolutionary Government at Helsingofors that troops and artillery are being sent, and urging them to hold out.