BOLSHEVIK REGIME FIRMLY ESTABLISHED

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 96, 16 January 1918, Page 7

BOLSHEVIK REGIME FIRMLY ESTABLISHED

BRITISH AMBASSADOR'S OPINION

"RUSSIA HAS FINISHED HER ROLE AS A BELLIGERENT"

London, January 14. The "Daily Chronicle" Stockholm correspondent had an interview with Sir George Buchanan (late British Ambassador in Petrograd). "The Bolsheviki," he says, "have attained such a position at present that nobody can overthrow them. Their trump cards are peace and the general war-weariness. They will remain in power until tho people learn that they cannot realise their promises. The Bolsheviki cannot be regarded as representative of the whole of Russia. South Russia is going its own way. The Bolsheviki have now summoned the Constituent Assembly," said Sir George, "'but my opinion is that the Soviets (committees of delegates),, are still tho real holders of power. It is is impossible to foretell the results of the Brest Litovsk negotiations. Trotsky seems to bo trying to establish a separate peace, but no is also carrying on a propaganda in tho German eastern armies. His propaganda has had some roßults. Kaledin, Kerensky, and Korniloff are awaiting' a chanco to bring about order in Russia. No change can be expected in the external politics of the nation in tho near future, and Russia has finished lier role as an active Power in this war." —Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assn.

DISORDERS INCREASING AT VLADIVOSTOK

A BATTLE IMMINENT. (Rec. January 15, 5.5 p.m.) New York, January 14. The United Press correspondent at Tokio reports that disorders are increasing in Vladivostok, and a battle between the Bolsheviks and Cossacks is imminent. The Bolsheviki, aided by reinforcements, defeated the Cossacks at Irkutsk." —Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assn. (Rec. January 15, 9 p.m.) Petrograd, January 14. Ilcutor's correspondent, in a dispatch from Rostoff. on tho Don, states: —"Tho station of Debaltzovo, on tho JSkaterinoslav railway, thrice changed hands. Tho Cossacks on Thursday night, learning of the dispatch from Luganskaya of considerable Bolshevik reinforcoments, with artillery, left the station, and took up a position nearthe railway, awaiting their own reinforcements from Maruipol. Fighting was renewed on Friday morning. The Bolshoviki advanced in the direction of Toganrog. During Friday a strong force of Don Terek and Kuban Cossaoks traversed Toganrog, going

northwards. It is stated that General Kaledin is also going north. A dispatch from Ufa states that the Bolshevik artillery has arrived, and the town is in the hands of Bolslievikij who havo seized the hanks and the Government buildings. Tho Bolsheviki aro sending considerable forces with artillery, to Cheliabinsk, where serious fighting is anticipated."—Renter. A REVERSE TO THE UKRAINIANS (Roc, January 15, 11.35 p.m.) 9 ■■ * ■■ ' Petrograd, January 14. A dispatch from Kharkoff states that tlie Maximalists disarmed the Second Ukrainian Regiment', after surrounding the barracks with armoured cars carrying machine-guns. The guns opened fire, whereupon the Ukrainians surrendered, with 7000 rifles and :3 machine-guns. A correspondent forecasts a recrudescence of the internecine strife at the capital, owing to the belief that the Bolshevik intention is to declare the forthcoming Congress of Soviets to be a National Convention in lieu of the Constituent, Assembly. A significant fact is that two cruisers and destroyers arrived,.for which the ice in the channel had been specially broken. The Social Revolutionaries and tho Committee of the First All-Russian Soviets are vigorously urging the citizens' army to organise and defend the Assembly by force.—Neuter. ARMISTICE BROKEN BY THE TURKS '■■.. ARMY LANDED ON ASIATIC COAST. London, January 1,4. The Petrograd correspondent of tho "Daily News" states that the Turks, have broken the armistice by landing twenty thousand troops between Trebizond and Rizeh (40 miles east of Trebizond). A submarine sank a Russian transport.—Heuter. SIGNS POINTING TO RENEWED HOSTILITIES. (Rec. January 15, !) p.m.) ' Washington, January 14. ' * Official reports from Petrograd state that demobilised Russian officers have been ordered to report for service immediately. This is interpreted to mean that the Bolshevik leaders plan an armed demonstration against Ger-many.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. NATIONAL LOANS CANCELLED i Petrograd, January 14. The Superior Council on National Property has drafted a decree cancelling all national loans issued by the Imperial and bourgeois Governments. Only short-term loans on the National Treasury arc to be considered valid.—Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn.