THE RUSSIAN SITUATION.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16158, 12 March 1918, Page 7

THE RUSSIAN SITUATION.

THE PEACE TREATY. GERMAN CLAIMS. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) NEW YORK, March 10. The "Now York Times" gives prominence to a despatch from German sources, stating that the _ Germans claim to havo acquired .a direct free route, via Russia, to Persia and Afghanistan. "The Times" points out that if the despatch is true it has an important bearing on the situation in Western Asia, and possibly an Indian passage through Persia will meet only a nominal opposition. NEW NATIONAL MOVEMENT. (By Cable.—Press Association.—Copyright. (Reuter's Teleprama.) LONDON, March 10. Enlightenment regarding the internal political situation of Russia is afforded bv Professor Elecoff, of the Moscow University, who was nterviowed on his arrival at Christiania. He stated that a representative conference at Moscow decided to organise a national guard, with tho object of overthrowing tho Bolshevik regime. General AlexiefF was organising the movement, which aimed at the formation of a Coalition Government, the introduction of a Republic, and the repudiation of tho Russo-Gerinan peace. The Bolsheviks' position would becomo one of the weakest after the peace with the Central Powers. The foregoing facts had hitherto been suppressed in Petrograd. GRAND DUKE ARRESTED. NEW YORK, March 10. The United Press Petrograd correspondent states that Grand Duke Michael and other have beer arrested for alleged complicity in a plot to restore the monarchy. | A GERMAN SUGGESTION. NEW YORK, March 10. The United Press Agency learns that Germany, with Lenin's aid. is endeavouring to cause an industrial revolution in tho United States, France, Italy, and England. Tho correspondent adds: The Germans proposed to the Bolsheviks that German agents, sailing on Rnssian ships, should bo sent to the countries mentioned to act as agitators. The attitude of the Russian Government has not been ascertained. OCCUPATION OF THE AALANDS. COPENHAGEN, March 10. Two thousand Germans have landed at the Aaland Islands and hoisted the German flag at Ekerse, where they have built barracks. German destroyers sank two Russian transports to the south of the Aaland Islands on Thursday. Two thousand Germans left the Aaland Islands and marched across the ice to Finland. Great quantities of munitions and artillery were also transported. The "Aftenbladet" learns that in fighting on the Aaland Islands the Germans were beaten by tho Red Guards PROTEST TO GERMANY. (Australian and N.Z, Cable Association.) , Admiralty per Wirel-ees Preee. (Received March 11th, 7.20 p.m.) LONDON, March 10. A Russian wireless report states:— M. Tchicherin has protested to th* German Government against the introduction of Gorman troops into Finland and the Aaland Islands.

ROUMANIANS TO LEAVE BESSARABIA. LONDON, March 9. A Russian wireleßß message states that the Russo-Roumanian peace has been concluded. ■ i Tho terms include the early Roumanian evacuation of Bessarabia. BOLSHEVIKS BARRED IN SWEDEN. (Australian and N.Z, Cable Association.) (Received March 11th, 7.23 p.m.) PETROGRAD, March 10. Sweden has refused to allow the Soviet's delegates to land for the ,purposo of arranging an international conI grcss. ATROCITIES IN FINLAND. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) (Recoivccl March 12th, 1.5 iun.) LONDON, March 11, The "Morning Post's" Stockholm correspondent states that the German warships Wcstfalen and Pheinband, with live troopships, are anchored beside a Swedish squadron at Marieham. Tho Germans brought 20,000 troops; Red troops arc committing horrible outrages. They murdered 600 bourgeoisie in Helsingfors and elsewhere. Drunken Red Guards cut out the tongues of prisoners, and shot a number of children in the presence of the mothers, and wives in the presence ; their husbands.