THE RUSSIAN OUTLOOK REVIEWED

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 60, 4 December 1917, Page 7

THE RUSSIAN OUTLOOK REVIEWED

WOULD PEACE SUIT GERMANY ? KALEDIN THE HOPE OF THE ALLIES London, December 2. The United Servico Agency publishes a special article dealing with tho Russian position. It states that after tho publication of the secret treaties in Petrograd, tho Allies gavo up hope that the Bolsheviks # were capable of honest dealing, and are therefore, exploiting tho possibilities of getting aid to the Cadets (Constitutional Democrats), General Kaledin, and other loyal forces which aro mainly grouped in thesouth and south-ivest of Russia. Experts suggest a route through Persia, but tho main topio is whether Japan irili declare war against tho Bolsheviks occupying tho Pacific seaboard. Though' it is recognised that it is most unlikely that Japan will send troops to Europe, M Clemenceau is a constant advocate of this step, and is anxious to arrange tenns. It is fully agreed that tho Loyalists in Russia are oapablo of a strong fight Possibly it would be impossible for them to hold a large Austro-Ger-mnn army tied to Russia; but their as sistanco would be stronger if Allied aid arrives. . It is a mistake to regard Germany as rushing for a Russian peace. It is pointed out that the Junkers and Militarists foar that tho negotiations will enable Lenin and Trotsky to secure from tho war-front tho troops, that will be necessary for fighting against Kaledin, thus assisting to establish a revolutionary State, which is contagious, ami which is certain to affect German revolutionists. Gorman militarists claim that tho evacuation of parts of Russia as the result of a peace made with Russian revolutionary conspirators will affect the morale of German soldiers. Germany should wait for some months, in the meantime assisting in Russia's more complete collapse by Boloistic methods. The best experts scout the idea that Hindenburg is planning another early blow for Paris, relying on new troops and an overwhelming number of guns. The experts claim that in the event of a Russian peace it is more likely that Hindenburg will attempt the complete overthrow of Rumania, or launch a heavy attack against Salonika, and Colonel Repington suggests the reinforcement and extension of the Mesopotamian force northward. Others favour a Japanese army being sent across Siboria. Mr Bourchier (the "Times" correspondent) states that a German Army order, marked "Secret, not. to be takon to tho firing-line," orders privates to carry out an energetic propaganda amongst tho Russians with tho object of disorganising them. Company commanders aro made responsible for the success of the propaganda. .... ... n- i- j 1 Lenin is hastening decrees nationalising all houses. Ho lias commanded the seizure of art treasures from the wealthy for national purposes. It is claimed that, if encouraged, Kaledin could aim at and Beize Moscow and re-establish a decent Government. The loyal Rumanian armies, led by Generals Avarescu and Christesco, exceed 300,000. Those, with General Tchorbateffi's force, and other Russian units, might be expected to support Kaledin.—Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assn. NEGOTIATIONS FOR ARMISTICE BEGUN (Rec. December 3, 11.55 p.m.) i. petrograd, December 3. Russian officers and soldiers in automobiles have arrived at Czernowitz for a conference with the Austrian Com mander-in-Chief. Other Russians have arrived at the German lines at Dvinsk and opened negotiations on behalf of General KrylenW.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. THE PERIL OF A BOLSHEVIK SEPARATE PEACE COUNTRY "WOULD PACE NATIONAL EXTINCTION. Petrograd, December 2. The Provisional Government organ declares that the Bolshevik peace negotiations opened by the rebels can only lead to a disgraceful separate peace, which will be ruinous for Russia. These insane if not firmly resisted by the Army and people, will reduce Russia to political and economic slavery, provoke a breach with the Entente, erase Russia's name from the list of Great Powers, and leave her to the mercy of invaders.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assri. SWEDEN TO PLAY A PART IN THE PEACE FARCE. Paris, December 2. The "Matin" publishes a message from Copenhagen stating that Sweden has agreed to act as; peaco mediator between Germany and the Bolsheviks, The "Matin" adds: "It will be remarkable if a neutral uses its good offices for carrying out a manoeuvre engineered by a combination of Lenin, Trotsky, and the Kaiser's agunts."—'Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. KRYLENKO ORDERS FRATERNISATION (Rec: December 3, 9.50 p.m.) London, December 2. Mr. Bourchier, writing on November 30, says: "Krylenko's army order announcing tho armistico negotiations ordered fraternisation on all fronts' immediately, though vigilance should be obsorved regarding the enemy. Krylenko says that tho Army is starving, and is without boots and clothes, tho horses aro dying, and there is no transport. H_o adds: 'We shall soon have a general peacc.' Lenin is replacing tho militia with Red Guards."—"Tho Times." KALEDIN MASSING HIS FORCES Copenhagen, December 2. Only a fifth of tho Russian Army supports the Bolshovik armistice. It is reported that General Kaledin surrounded Rostov and arrested many Bolskevik officers. Kaledin commands 100,000 Cossacks and largo forces of infantry and artillery. M. Rodzianko (ex-President of tho Duma) is with him.— Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assn. AMERICA'S PROTEST HANDED TO GENERAL DUKHONIN Petrograd, December 2. An American military representative at tho Russian Headquarters, on behalf of the Government of tho United States, strongly protested to General Dukhonin asainsj Russia, concluding a Eegaralo Mmisticq.—ltcutor.

TROTSKY DISMISSES A RUSSIAN'' AMBASSADOR. (Rec. December 3, 8.5 p.m.) Petrograil, December 2. M. Trotsky lias dismissed M. Maklakoff, Russian Ambassador in Paris, because he attended tho Allied Conference. M. Trotsky ha f s informed tho Allied diplomats that Germany is prepared to negotiate '.lor a democratic peace on all fronts. Sir George Buchanan (the British' Ambassador) lias not acknowledged the letter.—Renter. ANTI-BOLSHEVIK CAMPAIGN AT WORK MATERIAL RESULTS EXPECTED;' SHORTLY. Washington, December 2. Dispatches announce thatßussian officials in London have bt'en advised that Genera] Dukhonin's armies continue to fight, and that Russa will not tolerate a separate peace. The anti-Bolshevik elemcints are -working quietly but effectively in South Russia, and will achieve results shortly. Dispatches announce that Germany has organised a school on, tho East front to teach soldiers how to spread propaganda, hoping completely to disorganise the Russian armies.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. STARVATION IN PETROGRAJ). Stockholm, December 2. Travellers from Petograd. states tliat all classes are starving. Lenin has proved to be unable to solve the food problem, and has ruined his position with tho lower classes. Terrible hunger demonstrations are likely.--A'us.-N.Z. Cable Assn. TROTSKY TAKES LIBERTIES WITH THE BRITISH IvION. Petrograd, December % Trotsky has ordered that no British subjects shall be allowed to leivo Russia till the two Russian agitators interned in England.are released.—Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn. NEWS FROM THE RUMANIAN FRONT ATTEMPTED FRATERNISATION BY THE ENEMY. London, December 2. A Rumanian communique states: "Russian artillery prevont-ed attempts at fraternisation. A Rumanian patrol arrested a German sub-lieutenant and a cadet carrying manifestoes and proclamations to the Rumanians."—Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn.-Rcuter. ■ ENCOURAGING MESSAGE FROM AMERICA TO RUMANIA Washington, December 2. President Wilson has senft a Note of encouragement to the King of Rumania, promising support now, at the peace tabic, and after the war. —Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn. RUMOURED ESCAPE OF EX-TSAR Berne, December 2. The "Neue Freie Presse" (Vienna) reports a rumour that the ex-Tsar has escaped from Tobolsk, and, going via Harbin, has reached Japan—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. GRIM STRUGGLE ON THE ITALIAN FRONT INTENSE BOMBARDMENT ON ASIAGO PLATEAU DRY WEATHER SHARPENS THE CRISIS ON THE PIAVE i London, December 2. An Italian official report states: "There is most intense artillery fire from tho Asiago Plateau to the lower Piavc. Wo drove back tho enemy's attempt to approach Monte Meletta. One of our parties reached an enemy position at the Mount Pertica. region,, but was unable to hold it, owing to the concentrated five."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. ITALIANS PRAYING FOR RAIN. London, December 2. Reuter's correspondent at the Italian Headquarters reports"The Italians are now praying for rain. The drought has made the Piave very low, and is greatly assisting the enemy, who is endeavouring to cross by wading, and by means of pontoons, rafts and boats. The Italians Tiave destroyed most of tlleso craft and generally thoy purposely allow the 'enemy to cross, and then fire right into the crowded troops.. _ _ ? ' "Two-thirds of the population of Venice have left the city, and an average of a thousand leave each day. The remainder declare that they are rosolved to defend the city to the last drop of their blood. Only nine English pcoplo remain, including the family of the British Vice-Consul."~Reuter. COAST RAID BY AUSTRIAN WARSHIPS REPULSED BY ARMOURED TRAINS, (Rec. December 3, 9.50 p.m.) Rome, December, 3. Official: "Fourteen of the enemy's light craft attacked the coast on November 28, but were counter-attacked by armoured trains, and quickly withdrew, managing to evade our torpedo-boats, which were dispatched in the direction of Pola in order to intercept them. An armoured train; hit one'of tho enemy's ships."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Rcuter.