THE RUSSIAN SITUATION

Waikato Times, Volume 88, Issue 13644, 26 November 1917, Page 5

THE RUSSIAN SITUATION

THE PEACE MOVEMENT. ACT OF BASEST TREACHERY. " INSPIRED BY"~THE GERMANS. GERMAN-OFFICERS HASTEN TO RUSSIA. STRINGENT MEASURES BY BOLSHEVIKI. (United Service^ Received November 25, 5.5 p.m. '-* LONDON, JSov. 24. Lord Robert Cecil, Minister of the Blockade, in an-interview, isaid if the Russian people support the: Leninite peace proclamation, it will he-an act of the basest treachery. The movement has undoubtedly been inspired by the Germans. One ray of hope was General Kaledin's action, but nothing has been heard of him lately. The counter revolution is the work of a small section of fanatics,', and does not receive the support of the Socialist majority. The result of the Bolsheviki manifesto will be the stoppage of American supplies. AMSTERDAM, Nov. 24. In connection with the Russian truce offer, General Ludendorff and a numerous staff has gone to the Eastern Frost with all secrecy. PETROGRAD, Nov. 24. The Allied Legations refuse to accept the new regime, and the Bolsheviki refuse to sign the diplomats' passports. The Bolsheviki Government announces that it intends, to stop the entire goods traffic in Russia.

SEPARATE PEACE REPUDIATED. , UNIVERSAL PEACE WANTED. RUSSIAN FOREIGN MINISTER'S VIEWS. HOPES TO RENDER WAR IMPOSSIBLE. BY APPEAL TO THE DEMOCRACY. (Australian and N.Z. Cable AsSta.) Received November 25, 5.5 p.m. NEW YORK, Nov 24. Messages from Petrograd cover an interview with Trotzky, the Foreign Minister, who repudiated a separate peace, and said: "Russia wants universal peace. If the Allied Governments failed to support a democratic peace the Allied peoples would. Our international policy is calculated to gain the support of the masses. If Germany refuses to negotiate we pin our hope on the German army, and the working men to end the war. If we receive no response we shall declare a revolutionary war against German Imperialism, and mobilize all our forces, confiscate large food supplies, and prosecute war with relentless energy, but we are confident that our proposals will create impossibilities against the continuance of the war anywhere. Only the bourgeoise oppose the Maximalist Government and the intellectuals are hesitating."

THE ARMY STARVING. WHOLESALE DESERTIONS THREATENED. (Reuter's Telegrams.) Received Nov. 25, 5.5 p.m. LONDON, Nov. 24. Mr J. D. B.ourchier, writing from Petrograd; states that the prospects of starvation on the northern front are becoming greater; troops are exhausted and disgusted at the po'itic?! quarrels and lack of cloLhip?. Taey ihreaten wholesale desertions unless reinforced. AMERICAN OFFICIAL OPINION. RUSSIA ALMOST AN UNFRIENDLY NATION. (Reuter's Telegrams.) Received November 25. 5.5 p.m WASHINGTON, Nov. 24. The Bolsheyiki move is regarded in official circles as placing Russia almost in the list of unfriendly nations. It is pointed out that should the peace negotiations succeed it will be difficult with Russia as a neutral.

RUSSIA TO EVACUATE EAST , GALICIA. (Reuter's Telegrams.) Received November 25 5.5 p.m AMSTERDAM, Nov. 25. A telegram from Tarnopol announces that the Russians are preparing to evacuate Graymalow and Skal'at in East Galicia. and an advanced position has already been evacuated.

SOVIETS CLAIM COMPLETE CONTROL. SECRET TREATIES FOR THE RUBBISH HEAP. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Assn.) (Received November 25, 5.5 p m ) LONDON, Nor. 24. The Daily Chronicle's Petrograd correspondent states that Trotsky, the Foreign Minister, addressing the' Soviet Executive, said that the Soviet's power had now been established in Petrograd, Moscow, and the greater part o? Russia. He declared that he now possesses secret treaties which he will throw on the rubbish heap. At a conference at Army headquarters he insisted upon the formation of a Coalition Socialist Government with Teller. noff as Premier. \ PRISONERS (N TURKEY. EARLY CONFERENCE RE EXCHANGE. (Received November 25. 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, Nov. 24. In the House of Commons. Major Hope stated that an Anglo-Turkish conference would bo held shortly reeardine: the exchange of prisoners. Meanwhile the Tiirl< s had consented to a Netherlands diplomatist visitinjr the internment camps, and ascertaining tlie prisoners' requirements in regard to winter clothing. " \Ve shall," Major Hope added. " demand at the Berne conference facilities for inspection and reports on the camps."