RUSSIAN AFFAIRS,

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16225, 4 July 1918, Page 7

RUSSIAN AFFAIRS,

COUNTER-REV OLUTION PROGRESSING. (By Cablo.—Press Association.—Copyright.) (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) STOCKHOLM, July 1. Messages from Kieff state that the counter-revolution is piogressing rapidly. The Gzecho-Slovaks nave captured all the Volga bridges in the Samara region. Moscow, job: i. The Grand Duke Michael has issued a manifesto stating that he considers it his duty to restore order and to regererato Russia. He calls on the people to overthrow the Bolsheviks, and promises an amnesty to all wh< participated in the revolution. The Commissary of Foreign Affairs, in informing the Press that part of thd Russian Black Sea Fleet returned to Sebastogol and the other part blew itself up, sayß: "We agreed to the return of the fleet on the express condition that Germany and her allies would not use it during the war, and would return it to Russia after the war. It . was onlv upon condition that the flee! returned to Sebastopol that Gorman} stopped the advance of troops against Novorossisk." Soviet (Bolshevik) circles regard th< Bohemian Slav _ (Czccho-Slovak) frtmi as the most serious of the inner fronts. The Bohemian Slav forces have greatly increased and are divided into two groups, the first along the West Siberian railway from Tchelinbinsk to Omsk, the second in the vicinity of Samara. They are developing an offensive towards the Ponsa and volgs districts. Their activities have isolated Central Russia from Siberia and the Far East. ( A The Times.") TOKIO, July h A telegram from Harbin, published in the newspaper "Asahi," states that the Russians, who formerly regarded intervention with profound now realise it is the only hope of restoring order in their chaotic country, and seek speedy action by the Japanese, provided the Allies give an assurance of disinterestedness. (Australian and N.Z. Cable AasocHit&m) PETROGRAD, July 1. Trotsky, at a meeting at SakalnOcc, said that- if he had to choose between Germans and Japanese occupation lie would choose the Germans, as a social revolution was approaching in Germany. LONDON, July 1. Tho "Vossische Zeitung" urges the revision of the Treaty of Brest Litovßk in view of the vital importance of placating Russia, and securing indispensable supplies and help in the event of a naval struggle with TCngland and America. (Beater's Telegram.) a MOSCOW, July 1. , A Bolshevik Court sentenced to death Captain Stchasny, ex-Comman-der of the Baltic Fleet, on a charge of opposing and discrediting Soviet mle. Tho Central Executive of the Soviets has confirmed the sentence. The highest tribunal passed the death sentence upon Admiral Stchasny, and he was executed within 24 hours, notwithstanding a protest by the Left Party revolutionary Socialists. It is reported from Rostoff that, a largo number of officers and men are flocking to a volunteer army of which General Alexicff has been appointed Chief of Staff. * ROUMANIA'S PEACE.

(Beutcr'a Telegrams.) AMSTERDAM, July 1. Advices from Bucharest state that M. • Anon (Foreign Minister), speaking in the Chamber of Deputies, the hour of justice had struck. The country demanded from Parliament the fixing of responsibilities. Past mistakes must be atoned for; crimes must be punished. The Government must also carry out great financial reforms, as the burdens of the war exceeded 520 millions sterling. He had always opposed the war, and had concluded peace to save what could still bo saved, thanks to the credit ho enjoyed with those with whom they had negotiated.