THE RUSSIAN SITUATION.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16162, 16 March 1918, Page 10

THE RUSSIAN SITUATION.

THE PEACE TREAT V. BOLSHEVIK ASSEMBLY IN MOSCOW. (By Cable.—Press Association.—Copyright.) (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) LONDON, March 14. Mr Arthur Ransome (Petrograd correspondent of the "Daily News"), reporting from Moscow, states that the Lenin Government had arrived, and the All-llussian Assembly would meet _on March 11th in the Halls of Nobility, where the peace treaty would probably be ratified. The business men of Moscow speak of the Germans as their saviours from tlio Bolsheviks. Mr Ransome adds: "The Soviet Government alcne stands between Germany and the realisation of her grandiose dream." Advices from Jiissy state that the Central Powers are making more exorbitant demand's upon .Roumania, -which, are tantamount to annexation by Austria of important sections of Roumanian territory. FURTHER INVASION THREATENED. ZURICH. March ]4. The wireless German official aprencies have circulated a. despatch from Berlin, suggesting that Germany, as the protector of small and defenceless nations, may find it. necessary to take measures to protect Russia from the Japanese. The despatch argues that her benefaction of Courland, Esthonia. Lithuania, and Finland may be followed by the salvation of Russia from the Asiatic peril. The -whole despatch is perfidiously calculated to justify, before neutrals," Germany's further advance into Russia in defiance of the pcace treaty with Russia. MR ARTHUR HENDERSON'S VIEWS. LONDON, March 11. Mr Arthur Henderson, speaking at the women's suffrage celebration at the Queen's Hall.. said the nation had reached a critical stage. It was possible that von Bulow, on behalf of the Central Powers, might say: "We are prepared to recognise the status quo ante belluni, to make considerable concessions in Alsace and Lorraine, a nd adjust the differences with regard to the colonies, but -we must be entirely free to deal with Russia." Such a cynical peace would contain the seeds of future" war. We I must stand as flint against deserting 1 Russia, and must have a peace consistent "with tho ideals for which we entered the war. OCCUPATION OF ODESSA. LONDON, March 14. The Germans have entered Odessa, the Austro-Hungarian forces closely following. GROTESQUE GERMAN DREAM. NEW YORK, March 14. lne Tribune," commenting on 'tno capture of Odessa, says that the German dream of seriously menacing India is grotesque and impossible. ERZERUM RECAPTURED BY TURKS. LONDON, March 14. Tho Turks have recaptured Erzerum. FUTURE OF POLAND. (Australian &nd jST.Z. Cablo Association.) (Received -March loth, 8.10 p.m.) ' AMSTERDAM, March 14. The "Tagoblatt" states that the Polish and German negotiations have concluded. The Polish State.* recognises the pre-war -western frontiers, and is -willing to consider joining the Central European League in return for Germany renouncing annexation of Polish territory. An opportunity is given for Polish expansion towards Minsk.

GERMANS STILL ADVANCING. (Renter's Telegrams.) (Received loth, 8-10 p.m.) PETROGRAD, March 14. Tho Germaas occupicd Abo (1* inland) on March 12th, and are marching into the interior. They continue their operations m Southern Russia, and have occupicd Tchernigoff. The Turks have occupicd the whole of the Baku region.