RUSSIA.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 145997, 1 December 1917, Page 3

RUSSIA.

ANOTHER LIGHTNING CHANGE. BOLSHEVIKS LOSE OFFICE. NEW MINISTRY FORMED. LONDON, Nov. 20. Events in Russia are moving with dramatic swiftness, and have taken another amazing turn. It is a coincidence that with the news of Germany’s acceptance of Lenin’s offer of an armistice there conies the announcement to-night of the downfall of Lenin's Government, and the possibility of it rendering the armistice abortive. Russia, is now trying a third experiment for composing the Revolutionary Parliament. The Daily Chronicle's Petrograd correspondent states that the Peasants’ Conference meeting a few days ago was split into a small anti-Bolshevik - prowar section, and a larger section of the Lefts, sharing Lenin’s views. Lenin, last night, addressing the Lefts, antagonised them. The peasants and soldiers forming the majority of the audience, interrupted frequently, and jeered at the reference to Krylenko’s appointment as commander-in-chief. Lenin retired, not daring to put the resolution of confidence in the Government to the meeting. Then came the announcement that Germany had accepted the armistice proposal. A Bolshevik delegate moved to send a telegram of congratulation to Krylenko, hut an uproarious discussion resulted m the defeat of the resolution. The Bolsheviks then walked out. It became apparent last night that the Bolsheviks were not securing a sweeping majority at the Constituent Assembly election, oven in Petrograd, which is the citadel of Bolshcvikism. A coalition of the Bolsheviks with the other extremists thus became an urgent necessity, and negotiations proceeded on Wednesday and Thursday. In the meantime Tehernoff made a powerful bid for the leadership, and received a tumultuous reception from the Left peasants. . M. Tehernoff concluded. triumphantly, and the meeting was adjourning when the chairman made the dramatic announcement that a Coalition Government, consisting of Anti-Bolsheviks and Internationalists, had been agreed upon, the delegates representing the army, the trades unions, the All-Russian executive committee of Soviets and Left peasants. The conference then retired, in order to form a temporary Soviet Parliament, which will appoint committees to manage the Government departments. The chairmen of these committees will be the Cabinet. , ~ It is difficult to foresee results, hut it is obvious a. new organ has arisen, and the government may slip out of the hands of the Bolsheviks.

ARMY HOSTILE TO EXTREMISTS. LONDON. Nov. 29. The Daily Chronicle’s Petrograd correspondent reports that main headquarters and those of the Roumanian, southern and Caucasian fronts, refuse to recognise the Bolshevik Government, while on the west front some of the troops protest against the Bolshevik peace tactics. and others support the Bolsheviks. M. Krvlenko has issued an order to stop fighting and fraternising on all fronts, and only to fire if the enemy fires. , The observance of the truce terms by the Germans is conditional on complete cessation of hostilities by tho Russians. Stanevitch, who is the headquarters commissary, refuses to transmit Krylenko s orders to Dukhoin. Stanevitch, in the name of the army, appeals to civilians to end the civil war and anarchy, and to supply the necessaries for tho armv at the front, Krylenko has abandoned his journey southward, and is returning to Pet.roThe result of the pollings in Petrogrnd for the Constituent Assembly show that the Bolsheviks and Cadets are running nock and neck, the Cadets slightly leading, while the Social Revolutionaries are far behind. The treaty made by the Allies with Italy w-as published to-day.

SWEDEN AS GO-BETAVEEN. COPENHAGEN. Nov. 29. The Swedish Legation at Petrograd, 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. SWITZERLAND REBUFFS TROTSKY 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 the Entente and also the Central Powers. The Federal Council refused to transmit-the proposals to the Central Powers. MAXIMALISTS CONDEMNED. LONDON, Nov. 29. An important meeting was hold 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, as far as possible, the treacherous forces seeking to destroy Russia. PRO-GERMAN HOPES. OF TROUBLE IN FINLAND. (Receiver! Dee. I. 11.5 a.m.) STOCKHOLM, Nov. 30. It is feared the Socialists in Finland will proclaim a general strike as a protest against the Bourgeois Government. This will lead to an appalling civil war.

SWEDISH REPORTS. OP RUSSIAN SITUATION. (Received Dec. 1, 11.5 a.m.) 6TOCKLOI/M, Nov. 30. The Allied Ambassadors at Petrogra have protested against the publication ol the treaties. Genera! Dukhouin has issued ah army order that he will retire without resistance with his officers if M. Krylenko comes to headquarters. The Bolsheviks arc untiringly searching for M. Kerensky. Tt is .believed that he is living in disguise in Finland. It is reported that Ukrainia is withdrawing all troops and leaving a section exposed. . ALLIED PROTEST. AGAINST RUSSIAN PEACE SCHEMES. (Received Dee. 1, 11.5 a.in.) PBTROGRAD. Nov. 30. General Olierounsoff, ex-commander o the south-western and northern Ironts, has been interned in a lortress. A private soldier Uae beeit appointed military commander in the Moscow district. , ... . . The heads of the British Mission to Russian headquarters, supported oy their French, Italian, Roumanian. SerI inn unci JanpnGsc* colleagues, presented General DnlThouin with a Note energetically protesting against any attempt to break the London pact, precluding a separate peace or armistice. Russia must be prepared for most serious consequences. The correspondent adds that, since the latest upheaval, the Allied Embassies held no communication with the Extremists’ Government.

MEETING OF RUSSIAN AND GERMAN PLKNTIPOTENTABIBS. TO TAKE PLACE ON SUNDAY. (Received Dec. 1, 1.20 p.m.) PETROGRAD, Nov. 30. Russian delegates telegraph that the Russo-German plentipotentaries will meet at midday on Sunday, crossing the Dvinsk-Vilna railway westward of tbo village of Tentikalishky between tho opposing military lines. The delegates will travel in a special train to tho German East front headquarters at Brest Litovsk.