THE BALTIC STATES.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 12768, 11 October 1919, Page 9

THE BALTIC STATES.

GERMANS MARCHING ON RIGA. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. LONDON, October 10. The “Daily Chronicle’s” Riga correspondent confirms the report that Yon der Goltz is attacking with 20,000 troops on a ten mil© front, and is within seven miles of the city. The Letts are bravely defending the city, but are yielding JjoJ-he pressure. Yon der Goltz, interviewed at Mitau, said that he was obeying tho German Government’s orders recalling him, but the German troops would remain as there was neither food nor work for them in therefore they were becoming Russians merely for the sake of homes and employment. They had no political designs and it was untrue that they hoped to re-establish the monarchy. YON DER GOLTZ’S STATEMENT. COPENHAGEN, October 9. Yon der Goltz has Avritten to the chief of the Allied Mission at Riga, alleging that Lettish and Esthonian troops are largely massinn- on the demarcation line and he will be unable to evacuate tho German troops unless these forces are withdrawn. AGREEMENT WITH GERMANY. (Received October 11 8.50 a.m.) BERLIN, October 10. The so-called West Russian Government, in return for supplying 120,000 men and £10,000,000 agreed with the Russian negotiators;— (1) That Rusia should grant Germany a favourable commercial treaty for fifteen years. (2) Russia to have a free hand in Turkey and Persia. (3) Finland to be independent. (4) The Baltic rrrovinces to be autonomous under Russian protection. It is estimated that Yon der Goltz •will leave Germans in tho Baltic provinces. GERMANS AND BOLSHEVIKS, (Received October 11, 2.5 p.m.) PARIS, October 10. The Government of Lettland telegraphs to the Peace Conference that the German troops in Courland have done their utmost to prevent tho Letts fighting the Bolsheviks. When the Letts recently began a fresh offensive "they freed a considerable area, but the Germans attacked them in the rear on October 8. The Lett Government begs tho Allies to take immediate, decisive measures to force Germany to conform to the Peace Treaty, which she thus violated. The Lett appeal oonclues by declaring that the alliance formed between Germany and Germanophilo Russia threatens not merely the independence of Lettland but the peace of tho whole world. The Lett Government will defend its independence to the last drop of blood.