THE RUSSIAN PEACE INTRIGUE

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 54, 27 November 1917, Page 5

THE RUSSIAN PEACE INTRIGUE

GERMAN CONDITIONS FOR

POURPARLERS

BOLSHEVIKS IGNORED BY THE ALLIES

NEWS OF KALEDIN

Petrograd, November 25.

Tho German conditions preliminary to entering upon pence pourparlers inchido tho withdrawal of the Russian troops a hundred kilometres (over 60 miles), the Germans retaining their presont positions.—Router.

STATEMENT BY M. TROTSKY

All IMMEDIATE PEACE DEMANDED.

(Rcc. November 26, 11.55 p.m.)

Petrograd, November 25. The Maximalist news agency states that M. Trotsky has notified the neutral diplomatists at Petrograd of the measures which have been tall tin to obtain an armistice. Ho says that an immediate peace lias boen demanded of all countries, both belligerent and neutral. "Tho llussiau Government will count on the support of the workmen in all countries in its struggle for peace," he added.—Heater.

AUSTRO-GERMAN CONFERENCE TO CONSIDER TERMS

(Rec. November 26, 11.55 p.m.) Amsterdam, November 26. German mossages state that von Hindenburg and von Ludendorff are carefully considering the Russian offer of a truce. An Austro-German military conference will sit for the next two days to settle the terms on which the Central Powers are prepared to accept a truce. The terms are being published before the Reichstag meets on Thursday— Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

THE PEACE NEGOTIATION FARCE GERMANY INSISTS ON TREATING WITH A LEGAL GOVERNMENT. (Rec. November 26, 11.40 p.m.) London, November 26. The "Daily Chronicle's" Petrograd correspondent states that several regiments, in accordance with Lenin's' orders, sent peace parliamentaries to Rusisan Headquarters, which subsequently received a German wireless message saying that Germany would hefuse to receive the partiainentaries, and would only negotiato with a legal Russian Government or Constituent Assembly, after the Russian armies had retired sixty miles. General Dukhonin refuses to surrender the chief comand to Ensign Kylenko, whom he threatens to arrest if he comes to his headquarters. Kylenko has already left for Dukhonin's headquarters. Tho Bolsheviki have appointed Colonel Muravieff War Minister. The proposed Tchernoff coalition Government has fallen through owing to lack of support from the Army Committees. Other correspondents say that the Entente Ambassadors are leaving Russia in a few days.— Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

ARMISTICE FORMALLY PROPOSED.

(Rec. November 26, 11.15 p.m.) New York, November 25. A Paris dispatch from Vienna states that the Russian General-in-Chief Imv formally proposed nn armistice to the Austro-German commands.—Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assn.

AMERICA IGNORES THE BOLSHEVIKS A SERIOUS WARNING TO THE PEACE-MONGERS. Washington, November 25. Tho Russian Ambassador (Professor Bakmeticff), in a conference with ' the Secretary of State (Mr. Lansing), officially ' repudiated tho Bolsheviks. Mr. 1 Lansing assured him that tho United States ignores the Bolsheviks. Ho considered it certain that all the Allies would refuse to recognise them. Ho believed that the Entente Powers contemplated taking measures to hinder the Maximalists, and to prevent moderates and conservatives directing supplies into the Maximalists' hands, so as to starve tho Bolsheviks. It should be understood that, should Russia concludo a separate peace in violation of the Treaty of London, she would invite serious consequences. The officials had not lost confidence that the sane and intelligent elements would reconstruct a recognisable Government, and place Russia again among tho Allies. Three members of the Russian Embassy have resigned, refusing to act with tho Bolsheviks. _ The Ambassador, Professor Bakmetieff, remains at his post.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

KALEDIN'S MARCH ON MOSCOW

FIGHTING HAS BEGUN. Copenhagen, November 25. Tho "National Tidende's" correspondent at Berlin states that fighting between tho Bolsheviks and Kaledin's troops has already begun.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. (Rec. November 26, 7.25 p.m.) Petrograd, November 25. General Kaledin continues his march towards Moscow, where the situation is becoming increasingly critical.—Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn.

NEWS OF HERENSKY MAKING PLANSTOR IMMEDIATE FUTURE. Copenhagen, November 25. Tho "Politiken's" Christiania_ correspondent states that M. Soskice, M. Kerensky's private secretary, is the bearer of a message from M. Kercnsky to England that he is safe and is making plans for the immediate future. M. Soskice declares that the Bolsheviks undoubtedly negotiated with tho German Government before they attained power. Ho adds that Germany cannot make peaco with Petrograd and Moscow, as these cities do not represent Russia. General Kaledin meanwhile is in power in Middle Russia.— Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

I ATTEMPT AT COALITION FAILS POLLING FOR THE CONSTITUENT ASSEMBLY. Stockholm, November 25. A Bolshevik official dispatch states that an attempt to form a Coalition Government failed, but the polling for tho Constituent Assembly is already completed in the Navy, and has begun in the Army. _ The elections will bp held in the cities on Sunday. Acts of sabotage havo occurred throughout tho country owing to tho non-submission of tlio Socialists, who continue to trust in General Kaledin's ability to carry out a counter-revolution. The "Nya Dagligfc Allehanda" (Stockholm) reports that tho Ukraine has proclaimed completo separation from Russia. German newspapers regard tho position of Lenin's Ministry as critical. Politicians having jnfluenco with the people demand tho retirement of nearlv the whole Cabin* t, particularly of Trotsky.

Another proclamation by Lenin authorises the different nationalities in Russia to form independent States,— Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

THE SECRET TREATIES PUBLICATION OF FIRST INSTALMENT. Potrograd, November 25. The Bolshevik papers have commenced publication of tho secret treatios. The first instalment consists chiefly of Ambassadors' telegrams referring to terms for Alsace-Lorraine and the Dardanolles.—Aus.-N.Z, Cable Assn.

ALL QUIET IN PETROGRAD

Stockholm, November 25.

Tho "Dagblad" states all is calm at Potrograd. Tho theatres have reopened and tho restaurants arc crowded. All goods intended for Russia are stopped at Haparanda, and are being sent back—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

PROBING THE POLITICAL QUAGMItIG

"IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE A WAY OUT."

London, November 25. The "Observer's" Potrograd correspondent says it is impossible to see a way out of tho political quagmire. Armed opposition has apparently finished, and tile people are waiting in the hope that tho Bolshevik Government will go to pieces gradually. All parties havo deserted the Bolsheviks; the last to leave were tlia left wing of the Socialists, the Internationalists, and tho Menshcviks. Lenin's position is complicated by the lack of funds. The soldiers refused to break into banks in which tho peasants have their savings. Tho latest decree nationalises tho advertisements, which aro restricted to Government organs, the revenue going to the Government. Another decree confiscates tho rich people's warm clothing. The provinces continue to establish independent Governments. —Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn.

ANOTHER .CONFERENCE OP PEASANTS (Rec, November 26, 7.25 p.m.) London, November 25. A Russian wireless report states that Spiridonov, Chairman of the Assembly, addresses all deputies from the front, armies, corps, divisions, and district deputies as follows: — "Extraordinary Assembly lias been opened; comrades are requested to eome immediately to a conference of all Russian peasant deputies." Another wireless message reports livelier fusillades in the direction of Jacobstadt, where the Germans hire opened a strong fire. Fusillades and reconnaissances are reported from other fronts.—Aiis.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Reuter. MOSCOW AFTER THE FIGHTING | ENORMOUS FOOD QUEUES. ' (Rec. November 26, 7.25 p.m.) Petrograd, November 25. The "Times" correspondent, who has returned from a visit to Moscow, says that the town outwardly is calm. There are enormous queues everywhere. Foodstuffs are scarce, and the bread ration has been reduced to half a pound. The damago done to the town in the recent fighting was less than had been expected. The Hotel Metrople was wrecked and looted, while some of the churches and other large buildings are damaged. Visitors are not allowed in the Kremlin, which was badly'damaged and looted. During the fighting people spent five days in their cellars, with little food.—"The Times."