THE RUSSIAN SITUATION.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16144, 23 February 1918, Page 9

THE RUSSIAN SITUATION.

GERMANY'S OFFENSIVE. . I'ETROGR AD'S FATE IN THE BALANCE. (By Cable.—Pres3 Association.—Copyright..' (.Australian and >«\Z. Cablo Association.) PETROGRAD, February 20. Headquarters express the opinion that, if the German advance continues, tlie fate of Petrograd will be decided within a fortnight. PREPARATIONS FOR DEFENCE. NEW YORK, February 21. A United Press Association message from. Petrograd states that the authorities have ordered the stopping of the demobilisation of the Russiin Army and Navy. They have also ordered the troops to resist tho German advance. Preparations are bo in,.' inado to defend Petrograd. ENEMY ADVANCE CONTINUES. PETROGRAD. February 20. Tne German olfensive continues m the direction of Vitebsk. Molodetehno, and Minsk. It is believed that Riesliitcha lias already fallen. THE GERMAN REPORT. (Australian and N.Z. Cablo Association.) (Rcuter's Telegrams.) (Received February 23rd, 1.20 a.m.) LONDON, February 21. A German official report states: — "Wo occupied Leal and Estlionia, and have reached Pernigal and Lensal, on tho Riga Gulf. "Wo traversed Wonden and are approaching Wolraar, and between Dvinslc 1 and Pinsk are pressing eastward. General Linsingen reports tho occupation of important railway and road functions. Rovno has been cloared. "Tho enemy prisoners include a general, 425 officers, and 870 men. Our booty includes 1353 guns, 4500 motorcars, and IQOO railway carriages, many laden with food. NO ORGANISED RESISTANCE, j (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) (Received February 22nd, 7.40 p.m.) LONDON, February 21. Tho "Daily Chronicle's" Petrograd correspondent states that the Bolshevik Government, believing that the German soldiers wonld refuse to attack revolutionary Russia, is surprised and alarmed by the German advance. It has decided to suspend demobilisation, and has ordered tho retiring troops to destroy all military stores The front has ceased to exist owing to desertions and the demobilisations. Any resistance will bo guerilla warfare. The Germans apparently intend to force the entrance to tho Gulf cf Finland and land troops on the Finnish coast. A captured Array Order,; signed by Prince Leopold, states: "The object of the advance is not annexa- j tion but re-establishment, in order to prevent the spread of anarchism to Western Europe." 1 BOLSHEVIKS ACCEPT HUNT ULTIMATUM. (Received February 22nd, 5.5 p.m.) PETROGRAD, February 21. The Bolshevik Government accepted tho German ultimatum by five votes to four. Lenin was the principal advocate for its acceptance, declaring that peace was necessary in order to save tho revolution. Trotzky favoured war. As the Germans advance they are issuing proclamations urging that further resistance is futile. They are trying to cut the Libau-Romen railway. The Russian Red Guards and soldiers are offering no opposition, but are retiring, leaving their ammunition end i supplies bohind. The Turkish army has appeared at frebizond. The German demands include the retention of Poland, Lithuania, and the Moon Islands, and the payment of an indemnity of £800,000,000. GERMANS IN SIBERIA. (United Service.) 'Received February 22nd, 8.20 p.m.) SHANGHAI, February 21. Harbin telegrams stato that German prisoners in Siberia are entirely, free. Many aro openly trading with German goods. Others are coming from North Manchuria with Russian passports, which may bo purchased for 100 roubles. Prompt Allied action is necessary to combat the Gorman occupation of these districts. KALEDIN'S DEATH CONFIRMED. (Received February 22nd, 8.20 p.m.) PETROGRAD, Fobruary 21. The report of General Kaledin's suicidc is confirmed. SWEDEN'S ATTITUDE. LONDON, February 21. The Swedish. Premier (Dr. lidonl secured a triumph in the Rigsdag, when denouncing the proposal to intervene actively in the affairs of Finland. The debate revealed that the official Conservatives disavow the advocates of active intervention. THE POLISH EMBROILMENT. LONDON, February 21. Newspaper comments on the Poll.si outcry suggest that Germany vol comes the Austro-Polish embroilment Austrian and German interests ii Poland have always been antagonistic and Germany now wishes to conve.; the impression in Poland that she i: , reluctant to cede Cholm to th< Ukraine, thus throwing the odium or Austria. Germany, at the same time, reall; welcomes the opportunity to develo; her Eastern schemes beyond the Blacl Sea. A The cession of Cholm enabb her to play the part of the Ukraine : friend and ally. DESTITUTE RUSSIANS IN SWITZERLAND. BERNE. February 21. Wireless advices state that. sinc< i the Bolsheviks' advent in Petrograd ;; all remittances to Switzerland havi . j been stopped. Hence many thou ' sands of Russians in Switzerland an ' j destitute. Swiss hotelkeejrers and others nan

allowed them to continue to lodge awl bonrd on crcdit. The Swiss Government now appeals to the Bolsheviks to acknowledge this generous hospitality by a remittance t . covering the Russian liabilities, aggregating 20.000,000 francs. t; t ANOTHER GENERAL MURDERIyD. 1 d ("The Timw.") (Receivrd February 22nd, 11.35 p.iu.) u PETUOGUAD, February 21. s "VYlion Mohiletf -was evacuated, Gene- 15 ral Yanuskkevitch, formerly Chief of n the General Staff, was taken prisoner ? while travelling in a train to Potrograd. c He attempted to seize a revolver ivhen i; he was told he was to be interned in a t fortress. Tho lied Guards thereupon j' shot him dead. ® FINAL PEACE TERMS UNDER. C DISCUSSION. c e •."The Times.") (Received February l'3rd, 1.-10 a.m.) AMSTERDAM, February 21. It is reported from Berlin that Herr von Kuhiniann has begun a consultation with the Central Powers regarding the fin id terms of the Russian peace, in view of the Bolsheviks' unconditional t surrender. Aleaowhile the German a advance will be continued in ordo r to ( ] enforco an early and definite settle- s ment. J t IN SOUTH RUSSIA. t GERMANY AND THE UKRAINE. , AMSTERDAM, February 20. \ Herr von Kuhiniann, addressing ' the Reichstag Committee, referring to tho economic treaty with the Ukraine, taid: ''Special arrangements will enable the transportation of hugo supplies from the Ukraine, of which wo will have the advantage in the present year." During the discussion, Herr Westarp, a Conservative, expressed unmixed. joy at tho conclusion of the peace. Ho advised the greatest ie- ; serve in dealing with Cholm. Herr von Kuhlmann, replying to questions, said that the representatives of the Ukraine and Poland had not conferred before the settlement, owing to the rapid conclusion of peace. The Bolsheviks' attack on the Ukraine in forco proved tho existence of food supplies. Tho Delegations anticipated that tho Poles would gravely question the cession of Cholm, but it was essential to make peace speedily. Trotzky's opposition to the Rada only arose when' he realised that the Rada was conducting a Ukrainian, not 8 ' Great Russian policy. PLAK TO WIPE OUT THE BOLSHEVIKS. ("The Times.") (Received Fehruary -22nd, 7.20 p.m.) PETROGRAD, February 21. General Alexieff has elaborately planned, in conjunction with Generals ICorniloff, Endel, Markoff, and Deuc- t ken, to seize the railways, cut off all communication with Central and Northern Russia from tlio south, and malco a clean sweep of the Southern Bolsheviks if the blockade is effective. It ' is stated that the Bolsheviks fear tho superior discipline of General Alexieff's army and tho ability of his large stall of officers. The results of the plan will ultimately depend upon Alexieff getting sufficient artillery munitions. r ROUMANIA. VON KUHLMANN'S VISIT | POSTPONED. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) (Received February 22nd, 5.5 p.m.) ( AMSTERDAM, February 21. The "Cologne Gazette" states that in view of the new developments in tlie East. Herr von Kuhlmann's de- , parturo for Focsani will probably te 1 I deferred. Herr von Kuhlmann's visit to Foe- 1 ; sani was in connexion with tlie Ron- : manian offer to discuss peace principles with the Central Powers. Nego- ' i tiations were to commence on Febl ruary 22nd.