RUSSIAN AFFAIRS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 12176, 27 November 1917, Page 5

RUSSIAN AFFAIRS.

SECRET DOCUMENTS PUBLISHED. PROPOSED PARTITION OF TERRITORY. A. and X.Z. C'ablo Association and Penter. (Received Novemher 2. 8.40 a.m.) PETROGRAD. November 26. The Maximalist News Agency has published a series of secret, documents and telegrams, which include Russia's demands for Constantinonlo. the, west coast of the. Bosphorus, I lie sea of Marmorn, and the Dardanelles, southern Thrace, up to the Enos-Midia line, the Asiatic const and the islands in the sea .if Marmora, and also the islands of Imbros and Tenedos.

The Allies preferred claims demanding that Constantinople should become a. free port, and further demanding the recognition of their rights over Asiatic Turkey, as well as the preservation of sacred places in Arabia under Mussulman sovereignty, and the inclusion of the neutral zone, in Persia, within the, sphere of British activity. Russia agreed thereto, being of opinion that the Khalifate should be separated from Turkey, and bargaining for the retention of settlements in the Persian towns of Ispahan and Yenied.

As regards future frontiers of Germany, France demanded, and Russia concurred in the return of AlsaceLorraine, and also the iron ore and coal districts and tho wooded region on the left bank of the Rhine. Moreover, certain territories were to be. separated from Germany, and freed from all political and economic dependence thereon, being made a free neutral State and occupied by Russian troops until certain conditions and guarantees had boon fulfilled and peace concluded.

M. Terestchenko*s telegrams indicate that when Britain, Italy and France impressed M. Kerenskv with the urgent, necessity of making th e Russian army capable, of fighting, t?r*s was resented, and M. Terestchcnko expressed appreciation to the United States for their non-participation on that occasion.

WITH BAYONETS. BOLSHEVIK SOLDIERS' THREAT. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Received November 27, 9.10 a.m.) PETROGRAD, November 26. Bolshevik soldiers threaten that unless there is a Bolshevik majority in the constituent Assembly they will disperse it with bayonets. PEACE MICROBE. AFFECTING GERMAN TROOPS. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Received November 27, 11.10 a.m.) NEW YORK. November 26. The New York "World's" Petrograd correspondent reports that the Russian peace, move is thoroughly impregnating the German soldiers, and will cert'ninly weaken their morale. The Russians are now doing more, damage than they ever accomplished by fighting. CONSPIRATORS DISAGREE. VARIOUS VERSIONS OF PROPOSALS. NEWSPAPERS SUPPRESSED. BANK MANAGER ARRESTED. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Received November 27, 2.35 p.m.) LONDON, November 26. The "Chronicle's" Petrograd correspondent reports that the executive council of the Soviets is at serious disagreement over the peace proposals. M. Lenin denies that he proposed an immediate peace, but merely suggested making peace proposals. Another version states that M. Lenin did promise, imm?cliato peace and thus secured the support of the massesSome members of the Soviets declare that the executive was not consulted. M. Kameneff urged that the executive should publish a special declaration that peace negotiations woMld not be beg'Lin unless the Germans guaranteed not to use the armistice to remove troops to other fronts. M. Lenin evaded this demand. The Military Revolutionary Committee has suppressed three Socialist newspapers. The Bolsheviks arrested the manager and seized the Stale. Bank iu Mosco.u - , confiscating the gold depositsBERLIN AND PETROGRAD. IN WIRELESS COMMUNICATION. Australian and N.Z. Cable A«aooi»!ion. (Received November 27, 3 p.m.) WASHINGTON. November 26. The United States Ambassador reports that Petregracl and Berlin are in wireless communication, presumably discussing the peace offerFears of a food shortage are causing the northern armies to leave the trenches and start pillaging. BOLSHEVIKS' PIC ACE PROPOSALS. RECEIVED BY PRESIDENT WILSON. Australian and X.Z. Cable Association. (Received November 27, 12.35 p.m.) NEW YORK, November 26. The Washington correspondent of tho United Press reports that President; Wilson hats received tho Bolsheviks' proopsal for an armistice and a universal peace. The State Department says that America will not consent to an armistice, and will not negotiate for peace. h is not known if Mr Wilson will reply, as a reply may be construed as a recognition of tho Bolsheviks.