THE RUSSIAN SITUATION.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16165, 20 March 1918, Page 7

THE RUSSIAN SITUATION.

THE < PEACE TREATY. HUGE INDEMNITY ALLEGED. (By Cable.—Press Association.—Copyright.) (Australian and 21. Z. Cable Association.) (Beuter's Telegrams.) vßccsived March 20th, 1.30 a.m.) PETROGRAD, March 18. M. Martoff, head of tho Mensheviks, addressing the Moscow Soviet, alleged that the treaty with Germany provided for an indemnity of 9,000,000,000, and not 3,000,000,000 gold roubles. Ho also asserted that the treaty declares Petrograd a free city. PETROGRAD, March 18. Tho Social Revolutionaries, after opposing the ratification of the peace treaty, reserved the right to hinder its fulfilment. LONDON, March 18. The Supreme War Council has issued a statement condemning the German | political crimes against Russia. The Mensheviks, or. Minimalists, constitute the more moderate section of the Socialists in Rnssia, as opposed to the extremists, the Bolsheviks, or Maximalists. The Mensheviks correspond to tho Majority Socialists in Germany, who form the moderate Socialist section, in contra-distinction to the Minority, or extreme, Socialists.

THE HEEL OF THE OPPRESSOR. ; « (Received March 19th, 10.30 p.m.) WASHINGTON, March 18. The "New York Herald's" Petrograd correspondent states that the city is practically evacuated, and is governed by a Labour commune. The Germans at Minisk and Mohileff seized the last cows and horses from the peasants; they are also requisitioning all provisions. ONLY A TRANSITORY PEACE. MOSCOW. March 18. The Convention's final voting was 704 in favour of the ratification of tho peatfc treaty and 264 against, while 110 abstained from voting. Those who did not vote and the oppositionists declared that they would not submit to the Bolsheviks' decision, and -would | continue to resist, and organise and arm the people. Every speaker recognised that the peace was only a transitory one. MOSCOW. March 19. Mr Phillips Price -writes ihat a tour ] of the provinces shows that the revolution, instead of fizzling out, is only beginning to take deep root. The proletariat everywhere are setting their teeth for a bitter class war. They are determined that the Central Powers' cynical attack will ultimately cost them dear. COPENHAGEN, March 18. It is reported that the opponents of the revolution are arming in Petrograd with a view to ousting the remaining Bolsheviks. The latter, scenting danger, are fortifying the Smolny Institute, and the public squares and buildings with machine-guns.

BLACK SEA FLEET ESCAPES. • (Reuter's Telegram*.) PETROCJ I? A " March 18. It appears that the Russian fleet at Odessa withdrew to Sebastopol prior to the German occupation of Odessa and Nicolaiev (on the Bug), where the Soviets wore immediately suppressed. The Germans seized the naval dockyards at Nicolaiev. A German offensive is proceeding towards Kherson. FIGHTING IN FINLAND. (Australian and X.Z. Cable Association.) (Received March 19th, 9.25 p.m.) COPENHAGEN. March 18. The Red Guards compelled the Whit© Guards to retire north of Bjorneborg. General Mannerheim has now begun a general offensive on the whole front. Fighting is proceeding at Briansk, where the enemy wore compelled to retire. The Germans have occupied Bochmatsh and Ronotop. Austrian and German forces aro moving towards Kharkoff, the evacuation of which has been ordered.