THE RUSSIAN SITUATION.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16166, 21 March 1918, Page 7

THE RUSSIAN SITUATION.

GERMANY'S CRIMES. i STRONG ALLIED PROTEST. (By Cable.—Press Association.—Copyright.) (Australian and N.Z, Cable- Association.)" (Eeuter's Telegrams.) LONDON, March 18. The Press Bureau has issued the following statement:— The Primo Ministers and Foreign Ministers of the Entente Powers assembled at London i'eel bound t'a take note of tho political crimes under the name of peace which have been committed against tho Russian people. Russia was unarmed, forgetting that for four years Germany has been fighting against the .independence of nations and the rights of mankind.

The Russian Government, ii] a mood Of singular credulity, expected to obtain by means of persuasion a democratic peace which Russia had failed to obtain by war. The armistice had not expired when the Germans, contrary to their pledge, transferred troops en iruisse westwards.

Russia was so weak she did not protest against this flagrant viplatiori of her plighted word. When the German peace was translated into action, it was found that it involved tlje invasion of Russian territory afld the destruction <jr capture of all Russia's m ea ps of defence and organisation; apd the use of Russian lands to Germany's profit. These proceedings do not differ from annexation, because the word had been carefully avoided. Meanwhile tho Russians, who had made military operations impossible, found their diplomacy impotent and their representatives were compelled to proclaim that while they refused to road tho treaty they had no choice but to sign it. They signed it not knowing whether it meant peacc or war. Nor could they measure the degree to which Russian life had been reduced by it to a shadow.

Poland is threatened with a fourth partition. The devices hy which the last traces of her independence are to be crushed are based on fraudulent promises of freedom. Roumania is also overwhelmed by their merciless passion for domination. We do not and cannot acknowledge such peace treaties. We mean to continue to fight in order to finish onco and for nil this policy of plunder, and to establish a peaceful reign of organised jusiicc. WARNING FROM BRITAIN. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) LONDON, March 18. Mr A. J. Balfour (Foreign Secretary) stated that the Allies hayo forwarded a declaration to the Russian Commissary of Foreign Affairs, stating that tho decrees repudiating debts, confiscating debts, property, find other analogous measures are without force, and that the Allies reserve tho right to claim damages from tho Russian Government for any losses to their subjects. Russia has not replied. LONDON, March 19. The "Daily Chronicle's" Petrograd correspondent says that a German Commission of Control is expected in two or three Their presence must produce a marked change ip the internal situation. All intelligent, Russians realise that Alliec! assistance to Russia at the present state of the war is imperative. All patriots would heartily support intervention, clearly representing a disinterested and combined movement of all the Governments for Russian liberation. and not implying a domination or permanent occupation of a country having traditionally unique elements of strength and groat power of resilience.

WHOLESALE MASSACRES AND OUTRAGES.

LONDON. March IS. The "Daily Chronicle's" Moscow correspondent says that the voting at tile Congress was a mere formality.' The Bolsheviks have cultivated the r>rt of packing caucuses to an unsurpassed degree. Hundreds of delegates will shudder at the readiness with which they consented to the Russian partition. Peace wtb Germany l»y i>o means implies peace at home. Wholesale murder is a normal feature of Russian life. Five hundred bourgeoisie were murdered in u single night at Glukov. The sailors at Sebastopol decided to a general massacre in two streets inhabiteu bv well-to-do people. The bodies or the victims were thrown into the sea. The widow of a murdered man asked a diver to bring up her husband. After a few minutes' immersion the diver was drawn up, on the verge of irsanity. He said that the bodies of tho murdered men had been thrown into "lie sea with stones tied to their feet. He found a throng standing upright, swaving to and fro. PETROGR.VD, March 19. Two Bolshevik Commissaries, Dibeko and Kolonyai. have resigned as a result of the ratification ot the German peace treatv. 'NEW YORK, March 19. Seven hundred foreign language newspapers in the United States, representing 10.000,000 readers, have sent a message to the Russian Soviet urging a renewal of fighting agair.st Germany. The "Globe's"' Petrograd correspondent states that Russian troops from the Caucasus have arrived at Feodosia. bringing many women slaves, wbo were bought in the Caucasus by soldiers. The slaves were resold in the market at from 12dol. to lOOdol.. to be used as labourers and domestics. GERMANS IN FINLAND. (United Service.) (Itcoeived March 20th, 5.5 p.nO COPENHAGEN, March 19. The Germans in South Finland have been largely reinforced, and liavo planned an offensive with a view to joining j tho "White Guards operating in the south.

ROUMANIAN PLIGHT

(Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) PARIS, March . IS. A telegram from Jassy states thai Marshal yqji Mackensen refuses to tielay negotiations on tho plea of a Ministerial crisis. He informed the Roumanian plenipotentiaries that unless - the clauses of tho preliminary draft were accepted bv March 19tn peaco conditions would be severed. Von Mackensen also insists that General Averescu be included in the new Oaninet. He has given Roumania a L-st of thirty prominent men who must bo removed to Switzerland, including M. Bratiano (ex-Premier). A Sofia telegram states that Geneval Averescu resigned from the position of Prime Minister owing to an attempt to assassinato him. TelcgTatns.) (Rcceiyed March 20th, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, March 19. The present position of Roumania appears to bo that, following tho resignation of General Averescu, an attempt will now be made to form a Ministry to make peace from politicians who opposed Roumanian intervention. A Bucharest telegram via AustriaHungary states that M. Marghiloman, . who is regarded as tho probable Premier, opposes handing over the Itobrudjii to Bulgaria, bpt would consent to its being administered jointly by tho Central Powers.

POSITION IN SIBERIA. TOKIO, March 18. In the Heuso of Representatives tin. War Minister stated, that 94,000 German prisoners were in Siberia, east of Lake Baikal, and 60,000 ,west of Baikal. Those to the east were not unilfi- control, and were trying Ih'jir utrncst to get arms. ' A thousand Russian Moderates, tinder General Seminov. wero posing as Maximalists cast of Baikal. The Entente might support (seminov, but his force at present was on a line. There were also somo Moderates at Vladivostock and Blagoveatchonsk. The' Maxima ! - ists' paner was crowing, and they werj getting supplies of arms and »£*- munition. Should the German prisoners organise tp support the Maximalisti a serious situation might he created. TQKIO, March 19. J'lie Japanese- Government is unlikely to take military action hpfore the. prorogation of the Diet on March 31st. The anti-Government journal "Asahi" considers ' that Viscount Motono (Fcreign Minister), will resign, owing to his inability to sccure the consent of the Government tp intervention. Viscount Motono arrived at' ».n----derstanding with M. Pichon, to which England, France, and Italy assented, but failed to consult his colleagues. LONDON. March 19. Japanese official circles in Loclon confirm the reports of fighting in Blagovestchensk, on the Manchurian front, since March 6th. It is pointed out that there are nearly 100,000 German prisoners in Eastern Siberia seeking to secure arms. If they are successful they will precipitate a crisis. PETROGRAD, March 19. There are persistent reports that the Bolsheviks are seeking to come 'to an agreement with the United States to prevent Japanese intervention in Siberia. Russian officials who are opposed to the ratification of the German peace treaty aro organising a resistance against the Germans in the Odessa legion. The Germans occupied Bachmatuchj. Konotop, and Veroshba. In tin? I Ukraine region the Germans are imported to be continuing their advance towards Kursh and Kharkoff. | (Received March 20th, 9.45 p.m.) PEKING, March 19. The Leninists are plundering the i Japanese in Siberia, and their lives arc in jeopardy. They have also ordered a I strict boycott of the Japanese.