THE FACTION STRIFE IN RUSSIA

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 70, 15 December 1917, Page 9

THE FACTION STRIFE IN RUSSIA

DEMONSTRATION AGAINST BOLSHEVIK DICTATORS KORNILOFF BREAKS THROUGH ALL OPPOSITION London, December 13. _ The "Morning Post's" correspondent at Tetrograd says that, in opposition to the Bolshevik claim that power must remain in the hands or seitCommissaries, the people made a demonstration to-day demanding that power shall belong to Assembly. Meanwhji, other g parts of Russia are active. Siberian troops are organising G . n ™l»* Tlih Siberians are understood to favour a monarchy, and it s rumoured that Sey intend tobring the ex-Tsar and his family from Tobolsk to European 11118 Genera] Korniloff has broken through all opposition, and will soon join forces with General Kaledin at Novo Tcherkask. His command includes some of the Death Battalions—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. KALEDIN'S WAR ON THE MAXIMALISTS ' FIERCE FIGHTING REPORTED. Petrograd, December 13. Fighting is reported at various places, including Rostoff, where Kaledin is opposing the Maximalists, who are said to be supported by a detachment of Slack Sea Fleet. Fierce fighting is reported to be continuing at B,elo*rad, with great losses on both sides.—Reuter. NEGOTIATIONS FOR A NEW ARMISTICE London, December 13. ■V German official report states: "Negotiations regarding an armistice to replace the existing truce will begin on Monday at Pnnce Leopolds headquarters."— Aus.rN.Z. Cable Assn.-ll enter. RUMANIA'S ATTITUDE Petrograd, December 13. The text of the armistice on the Rumanian front .-hows that _ the Rumanian Army will observe the armistice «o long as the Russian armies on the Rumanian front do so.—Reuter. • JAPANESE LANDING AT VLADIVOSTOK DENIED (Rec. December 14, 10.15 p.m.) Washington, December 13. The American Consul at Vladivostok reports rioting, but deniee tbe presence of,, Japanese trooos.—Reutor.

OPENING OF THE CONSTITUENT ASSEMBLY A HOLLOW, UNENTHUSIASTIC AFFAIR. (Rec. December 14, 7.55 p.m.) London, December 13. Tho "Daily Chronicle's" correspondent at Petrograd thus describes the openiiu- of the' Constituent Assembly at the Taurkla Palnce on luesday:— 'Tlie .-hops were closed, flags wore waving, and processions were_ marching about the streets. There were many meetings and much speechifying outsido tho Palace, where the workmen and soldiers had assembled. Ihe doors of the Assembly were guarded by soldiers with machine-guns. Alter some rebuffs the journalists reached the Chamber, but the Assembly, where was ii? Wo saw a little group at'the foot of the Speaker's tribune—about eO instead of 760! These included forty representatives of the bocial Kevo utionaries and four members of the Cadet Party. There were no' Bolsheviki. Tho members held littlo meetings, their voices sounding like whispers m die empty ha.ll. It was deckled to meet daily until a' quorum was present. '"'Wednesday's sitting was even moro saddening, only forty being present. The key to the situation is the prevalent belief that an anti-Bolshevik insurrection k imminent in Pctrograd. Lenin is taking drastic nieasures to prevent this, and lias ordered the arrest of the leaders of the Udet iarty. Trotsky states that that arrest will be the only means of saving them from bein"- lynched. It is generally stated that tho Bolsheviki favour a constitutional monarchy, and it is believed that they are negotiating with the Romanoffe. Lenin and others treated the Grand Duke Pan A exandrovitch with the utmost respect on his recent visit to the Bolshevik headquarters. — Aus.-X.Z. Cable Assn. FARCICAL PROCEEDINGS. .slcc. December 14, 10.10 p.m.) pctrograd, December 13. Mr. Bourchier wires that the delegates to tho Constituent Assembly, under the presidency of a major, decided that there was a sufficient quorum present. Ther ignored the decree, virtually established the Assembly, declared three arrested members free on the ground of membership, gave thorn immunity, and formed committees -vhich are meeting daily.' The Leninites appear to Uβ reluctant to use forco in view of the unfavourable effect it would Have on the peasantry.—"The Times."