DEVELOPMENTS IN RUSSIA.

Colonist, Volume LXII, Issue 15307, 21 February 1920, Page 5

DEVELOPMENTS IN RUSSIA.

(Australian and N.Z. Cable Association)

London, Fob. 18. . xiceording to a Moscow wireles-s message, revolutions occurred in Vladivostok, Nikolsk and Blagovestchenk. All authority is now in the hands of a provisional Government, which proclaims unity with the Soviet- Government of Russia.

There was. fierce fighting on the Dnieper Estuary. A Red offensive has begun on the Caucasian front, with important successes on the south bank of the Don.

TokiD, Feb. 18. Lenin wirelessed Vladivostok, declaring void Koltchak's agreements ceding Russian territory to foreign subjects.

Berlin, Feb. 17. Germans, believing that Britain is arranging to trade with Russia through Litvinoff, isay: "If any business is possible, then we are going to be in it." A Soviet agent now in Berlin, supposedly concerned in negotiations for the exchange of Avar prisoners, is believed actually to be arranging for the resumption of trade relations. Large numbers of German war prisoners are remaining in Russia. They are associated with the Bolshevists, and are likely to prove valuable promoters of trade.

(Australian and N.Z. Cable Association

and Renter.)

(deceived Feb. 20, 7.50 p.m.)

London, Feb: 20. The. weekly authoritative summary states that a Bolshevist offensive is proceeding in North Russia, where the situation is serious. The Reds have carried the forward Russian lines in the Onega Valley and on the Vologda Railway, largely owing to the mutiny of a Russian regiment, whose commander iaud most of the officers were skilled by their own men, 500 of whom deserted to the Reds. The North Russian Gfovernment resigned, and handed over power to General Miller. The Bolshevists claim the capture of Odessa, with 200 officers, 30,000 men and 100 guns. The Bolshevists have introduced industrial compulsion by transforming the former military armies into labour armies, at Kazan, Perm, Moscow and Chernigov, chiefly on account of mutinies.