CRIMINAL USURPERS.

Taranaki Daily News, 1 December 1917, Page 5

CRIMINAL USURPERS.

MAXIMALISTS CONDEMNED, Reuter Service. Received Nov. 30, 10.5 p.m. London, Nov. 20. An important meeting was held at the Russian Embassy, London, when the leading Russian diplomats, and civil and military officials stationed in England, unanimously passed a resolution strongly condemning the Maximalists, who were denounced as a criminal faction and usurpers. The assemblage pledged itself to resist, a's far as possible, the treacherous forces seeking to destroy Russia.

NEGOTIATIONS WITH GERMANY. THE CHANCELLOR'S SPEECH, Received Nov. 30, 0.10 p.m. London, Nov. 20. A German wireless gives an extract from tlio Chancellor's speech, relating to Russia's proposals for negotiations for a truce as follows: "I do not hesitate to declare it is possible to recognise in Russia's proposals, as far as at present known, the debatable principles whereon the opening negotiations may bo baaed. I am ready to enter thereupon as soon' as the Russian Government sends fully empowered representatives. I hope and wish these efforts'will soon nssumo definite shape, and bring peace,?' SWEDEN AS MEDIATOR. OPERATIONS COMMENCED. Received Nov. 30, 0.30 p.m. Copenhagen, Nov. 2'). The Swedish Legation at Petrogrnd, at M. Trotsky's request, has agreed to act as mediator in the peace negotiations between Russia and Germany. Negotiations commenced by the Swedish Legation having telegraphed to the Berlin Foreign Office, offering the truce. THE DIPLOMATIC DOCUMENTS QUESTION AS TO THEIR AUTHENTICITY. Router Service. Received Nov. 30, 10 p.m. London, Nov_ 20. In the House of Commons Lord Robert Cecil, replying to a uestion, said he was unable to say whether the diplomatic documents published at Pctrograd were authentic until lie saw them, ALLIES' ATTITUDE. NEGOTIATIONS PITH RUSSIAN ARMY.

Washington, Nov. 29, Officials do not believe that the Allies will assume an attitude of hostility to Russia because of the Bolsheviks' peace moves to Germany. The Paris Conference will endeavor to consolidate the elements opposed to the Bolsheviks. • It is believed that the Allies are wire* lessly communicating with the Russian army leaders, including Generals Kaledin and Dukhoun, in order to offset the peace moves. HORDES LEAVING THE FRONT. FRATERNISING WITH THE ENEMY. ROUMANIA CUT OFF. New York, Nov_ 2ft. The Petrograd correspondent of the New York World says that Russian and German soldiers are fraternising even under occasional shellfire. Hordes of Russians are leaving the front and occupying the railways, making the provisioning of the front lines most difficult. The Sun's London correspondent says that the serious effect of the Russian m-isis is that Roumania is cut off from her western allies, and therefore Balkan developments will be roost interesting.

ARMISTICE NEGOTIATIONS. A BIZARRE SITUATION. London, Nov. 2ft. The Daily Chronicle's Petrograd correspondent says that M. Krylenko reports that three representatives of the sth Army were admitted to the Gorman trenches and received a reply from the commander on the German northern front. He states that he i sdirected by the German Commander-in-Chief to accept the armistice proposals. Representatives of both sides arc meeting on Sunday to conclude the armistice and make renewed appeals to the Allies to accept the Bolshevik pea«e platform and conclude a general armistice on all the fronts. The position is extremely bizarre, as only three armies recognise Krylenko's authority. t-^_«i— ■—. THE LENIN WAY. THREAT TO REPUDIATE DEBTS. London, Nov. 29. The Daily Chronicle's Petrograd correspondent interviewed Lenin, who said: "Unless the proletariat in other countries support us the revolution will achieve nothing. We possess a powerful means of compelling the Allies to obey our wishes. We can declare the State bankrupt, invalidating our loans and obligations." SWITZERLAND REFUSES TO ACT. Received Nov. 30, 9.10 p.m. Paris, Nov. 29. The Matin's Zurich correspondent states that M. Trotsky asked the Swiss Foreign Office to convey the proposals for an armistice with a view to a settlement to the Ambassadors of tho Entente and also the Central Powers. The Fedoral Council refused to transmit the proposals to the Central Powers