WAR NEWS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 11752, 2 January 1918, Page 6

WAR NEWS.

THE CONFERENCE AT HRKST LITOYSK. (Renter's Telegram.) AMSTERDAM, Dee. yo. An official telegram fn.u. 1.1 rest Litov.sk, via Berlin, states that complete agreement has been reached regrading the restoration of commercial intercourse. Substantial agreement has been reached regarding the promancnt basis of the Russo-Geruian ecomoM ic relations, and also regarding the occupied territories. Russia proposed that Russian troops tdioulcl withdraw from Austrin, Hungary, Turkey and Persia, while the Central Powers should withdraw their troops from Poland, Lithuania, Courland, and other regions of Russia. The populations of these districts siiould be given the earliest opportunity of deciding freely and entirely the question of their union with one-or the other' Empire, or their formation into independent States Germany- then proposed that ihe fiiYit two articles «m the preliminary treaty should provide, firstly: Russia and -Germany declare that the state of war has ended, and they were resolved to live together in future peace and friendship, on the cmidltioai of complete . reciprocity. With her allies, faejpiinny is ready as soon as peace is Concluded with Russia, ami the Russian amies have been demobilised, to evacuate her present" po.sitioW :\%\ occupied Russian territory. fcl ; >l*aVas no different inference may i-ftftflt' from Article 2. •Secondly*! After the Russian Government has proclaimed for all the people*in Russia the right, of solf-do-including complete separation, it, takes cognisance of ihe decisions expressing the will oil. he people, demanding a full stal,,. el' independence and separation!' re-.. Russia. for Poland, Lithuania?! Guirland.. portions and Livonia. As in these <|MVicts fco which tho foregoing stipulations- apply the question of evacuation" is not such as is provided in Artiefc 1, a special commission shall arrange for the ratification by plebiscite on broad lines, without amy military pressure whatever, of the already existing separation proclamations.

The Russian delegation then insisted on a definite assurance that the plebiscite .should be free, and that foreign troops should be 'completely absent, but agreed to the appointment of a special commission to arrange the plebiscite and fix a time for the evacuation.

Presiding at the third session on Decon ber 29, a Russiaai delegate anticipated the spoedj end of fh 0 war. The delegates have departed homewards. '.Negotiations will be resumed on January 4.

KESTOHATTOX OF COXOU'RRK'I) OOUXTiiIMS. (Austrulian-N.Z. Cable Association ) LOXDON, Dee. 3J. Tlie "Daily Telegraph's" Milan corrjwpondwifc says: "The full text of Hussin's demands shows they arc. much more detailed than has boeu hitherto reported. Tlioy consist of ]5 clauses and include'the evacuation of provinces, and also autonomy for Ariall Russian territory and autonomy tor Poland, Lithuania,, the Lettish menia and the restoration of Serbia and Montenegro. Serbia is to have access to the Adriatic, while Bosnia and Herjsogovnjd are to have coU<plet«j autonomy and other contested territory in tlie Balkans is to enjoy "temporary automony until u plobsioite has been taken. " Rumania is to recover all her territory after promising au . tommy to the Dobrwlja. Thoiv is +„ In autonomy Trent" Mid Trieste until » plebiscite has boon taken' bci'Tmny , s to receive hack her colonies. The restoration of Persia and Greece and the neutralisation .of maritime straits, including (he Bue z and 1 anaiiia Canals, are provided for TJio toijiwdoniK of commercial ships on the "iff j seas shall ho forbidden. All the belligerents arc to renounce war indemnities and commercial boycotts J ho ponce conditions will be "settled publicly hy delegates chosen by t h o

•.MridUN Parliaments. I J jt>ily_ there is to ho gradual disar i anient ol land ivii'.l sea establishments, and militia is 10 replace standing armies. ' A (JENKRAIi AND 1118 STAFF MURDERED. (Australiau-N.Z. Cable Association.) PETROGRAD, Dec. 30. General Karanloff, who was lioUnan nf the Terek Cossacks, and his brother and the whole of his staff of officers and men have been murdered by soldiers from the Caucasian front. III'SSI A AND BULGARIA. (Australian and N.Z, Association.) SOFIA, Dec. 30. Dr. Radoslavoff, Premier of Bulgaria, speaking in the Sobranje, anneinicctl that Russia had proposed to the Central Powers' delegates that it should he declared that the war he- . t-ween Bulgaria and Russia was ended, that (lie status quo regarding commercial treaties and other agreements hj" restored, and that Bulgaria K-> ptweiuod on the Danube Committee. Bulgaria has accepted these terms. COUNT CZERNIN'S PROPOSALS. . .Hi.-"iatian-N /,. Cable As«oi laium. NEW YORK, Dec. 30. The "New York 'World's" Washington correspondent says it is goiu raliy expoctcd that the Allies will receive, a Note. i'rm. Trotsky containing Count Czeniin'.s proposal. It is believed 'that the Allies will formally answer l!is with advice to ussia to rob the | Germans of moral advantage they I have sought to gain bv their peace offer. ALL UARGE PENSIONS ANNULLED. (Aus. & N.Z. Cable As«n. A- Renter., PETROGRAD, Dee. 30. The Molshevik commissaries ham annulled all pensions of over three hundred roubles monthly. THE FOOD PROBLEM. BERNE, Dee. 30. The Secretary of the German. War. Provisioning .Bureau, on being interviewed, admitted that it was impossible for Gcipiany to lrope to get any appreciable quantity of foodstuffs from Russia. m v - SHIMPENTS TO RUSSIA STOPPED (Australian-N.Z. Cable Association,) TOKIO. Dee. 30. The United States lias stopped all shipments to Russia. An American steamer returned to Tokio from VlndTvosfoek with a cargo of railway material which had not hoon discharged. Vessels en route to YJadivostock arc being diverted to Japan. A MOLDAVIAN R.EPUHLIC.. (Australian-N.Z r«i,? o \ v « n <„»t,,', u LONDON, Dee. 30. . Bessarabia has declared a Moldavian Republic, considering itself part of the Russian Federation. TURKESTAN FORMS AUTONOMOUS GOVERNMENT. '"The Time*.") PETROGRAD. Dec. 80. Turkestan has formed an autonomous Government. The CoHsacks have re-elected Kale-'' din as hettmtm. Robbers brutally burderod M."Goremykin (ex-Counsellor of State) and his wife and brother-in-law at M. Goromykin's country estate in the Caucasus. GERMAN TROOPS IN THE WEST. (Australian-N.Z. Cable Association.) NEW YORK, Dee. 30. The "New York Worlds" Paris correspondent says that the massing

of troops bohind tlic German linos is proceeding uninterruptedly by day and night. Tin ins pass Meziores, near the Kaiser's Western hetulcjuurtord, at intervals of >six minutes. Guns formerly used in Italy have been reassembled in the Verdun roTiie Genuam High C'oinrUajul is vainly straining every nerve in an attempt to attain nuemrieal superiority of guns over tit,- French. LONDON, Dec. 30. A Maestrieh newspaper states that all passenger and goods traffic on the Belgian railways has been suspended since December 15'.' The entire rolling stock has been requisitioned for transporting troops to the West front, and this.work is proceeding with redoubled intensity.

THE KEENOH FRONT.

(Australian-N.Z. Cable Association.) LONDON, Dec. 30.

A French communique says: "Wo brought down three German aeroplanes."

ZEPPELIN LOST

(Australian-N.Z. Cable Association.) COPENHAGEN, Dec. 30.

A Zeppelin, a/lame, fell into the fsea west Jutland. Two hydroplanes accompanied it, and owe was partly, wrecked.

; j ITALIAN ACTIVITY

(Australian-N.Z. Cable Association) AMSTERDAM, Dec. 30.

Tin* "Vossische Ze!fling's" Avar correspondent says: "The obfrivfty of the Italians increasing daily, jiaul there are increasing counter attacks by fresh troops. All the symptoms of demoralisation have t. disappeared."

PADUA AGAIN BOMBED

(Australian-N.Z. Cable Association.) - LONDON.JLSO. 30.

An Italian ollieial -eport say:s: "Tlic enemy robombod Padua, killing three and wounding three. Two hospitals were flam a god.

GKRMANY'S DOUBLE DEALING

(Auatralian-N.Z. Cable AsaociaMon.) ATHETS, Doc. 3().

A White Book containing tnc correspondence botwoon Herlin and the Court of Athens discloses, contrary to tlio nnotations of the Greek Ministers at Berlin and Vienna, that Bulgaria entered in't'o the war after receiving compenHutiou to 'Greece's detrimont.

DIUVINTt THE TUIIK

(Aus. * N.Z. Cable Assn. it Jlouter.) - LONDON, Dec. 30. A Palestine official report states:--

"We have further advanced over three miles along tho Nablue road, occupying Beeroth, also Jlizmah, Jebn, and Burkali, eastward of tho road, and the Ramallah ridge and Thaticres, westward of tho road. The mounted troops iu the centre reached Khurbe'thailHi, .H'nrith, and Deir el Kuddih."

ATTEMPTS TO MfiTAKIS JERUSALEM.

(Au&tiJiiijni-N.Z. Cablo Association) WASHINGTON, Doo. 30.

Official reports have been received that four Trueish divisions, reinforced by Austria us and Germans from the iftussian front, are desperately endeavouring to retake Jerusalem. The Turkish aitacksfi all failed.

BRITAIN'S PALESTINE POLICY. (Australian-N.Z. Cable Association.; THE HAGUE, Dec 30. Germnaiy's Zionists have adoptend a resolution applauding Great Britain's policy in regard to Palestine. i JbMJUJI U-BOATS CAPTURE.!). | (Australian-N.Z. Cable Association.) NEW YORK, Dec. 30. A returned journalist states that four Gorman Hubnuiriiiea have homi captured by twelve American torpedo boats. A. (submarine huh lying on the , surface of the water, with tho conning 1 towers open, when the destroyers ar-1 rived. She, was captured without a 1 'fight. \ Another submarine, flying the white ' flag, arrived at a French port arid surrendered. The crew had mutinied and killed the officers. , &

V JELLICOE'S RETIREMENT. ' (.Anstralian-N.Z. Cable Association.) I ALMSTEttDAM, Doc. I Tho German (newspapers attribute Sir John Jclliuoo's retirement to the J suocccys of tho submarines; and declare that lie has fallen a victim, like othor Admiralty chiefs, to the Üboats". ■' Tho "'Oologno Gazette.'Preferring to Sir RoKslyn Weniyss's ancjSffis't'ul rcomWkatiom at Gallipoli, says: "Wo iookf onvard with nloasu.ro to witnessing similar skill when the itritisli Army In Franco is sent homo."

UNITED STATES LOAN TO THE ALLIES. (Australian-N.Z. Gable Afisociation.) WASHINGTON, Dec. 30. Loanfl advanced by 'the United States to Great .Britain amount to £37,000,000, to France £31,000,000, to BolKium £ 1.500,000, to' Serbia £200,000. The total of American loanH to the. Allies .amounts to ' ro than. £BOO,000,000.