GERMAN INVASION OF RUSSIA

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 132, 21 February 1918, Page 5

GERMAN INVASION OF RUSSIA

FALL OF DVINSK AND LUSR

BOLSHEVIK! RECRUITING FOR DEFENCE

London, February 19. The Germans have captured Dvinsk, and the Austrians havq captured Lusk.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

BOLSHEVIKI PREPARING TO RESIST INVASION.

New York, February 19. The United Press Agency correspondent at Petrograd states that the Foreign Office announces that Russia will fight the German invaders. The New York "World's" Rotterdam correspondent says that lie learns from a reliable source that Germany's future policy includes the occupation of tho remainder of the- Baltic provinces, with a view to incorporating them in the German Empire; and also the further dismemberment of Poland. In spite of her denials, Germany's plans aim at conquest, annexation, and the greatest possible territorial expansion.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

RECRUITING IN RUSSIA RECEIVES A STIMULUS,

Petrograd, February 19. It is announced that, as the result of the German invasion, recruiting has been enormously stimulated. M. Trotsky, the Bolshevik Foreign Minister, in a.statement, declared that Germany's peace terms, which Russia had refused, included the retention of Poland, Lithuania, Riga, and Mohn Island, and the payment of au indemnity of 800 millions sterling.—Aus.-N.Z. Cabjp Assn.

GERMAN OFFICIAL REPORT

(Rec. February 20, 10.10 p.m.) London, February 19. A wireless German official report states: "We occupied Dvinsk- after slight enemy resistance. A Russian attempt to blow up the Dvina bridge was unsuccessful."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Reuter.

AUSTRIAN OFFICIAL EEPORT.

(Rec. February 20, 10.30 p.m.)

London, February 19. An Austrian official report states: "We have occupied Lusk unopposed." —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Reuter.

FORCED TO ACCEPT A GERMAN PEACE?

(Rec. February 20, 4.30 p.m.) London, February 19,

% A Russian official report states: "MM. Lenin and Trotsky have sent a message to the German Government protesting against the German invasion while the Russian Army is demobilising. The Council of tho People's Commissaries is now forced formally to declare its willingness to sign, a peace upon conditions dictated by the quadruple alliance at Brest Litovsk. A detailed reply to these conditions will be without delay."—Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn. ' ■

GERMAN DIPLOMACY CRITICISED

PEOPLE MISLED ABOUT RUSSIA.

Amsterdam, February 19. Hefr George Bernhard, writing in the "Vossische Zeitung," says that the inefficiency of German diplomacy shows that the war ;annot end in a purely military -vVay, owing to the failure to profit by the German victories. He asks who is responsible for announcing that war with Eussia had ended, which statement had misled Germany more than anything else. The "Vossische Zeitung" demands the resignation of Dr. von Kuhlmann (Foreign Minister).—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

GERMAN LANDING IN FINLAND

NAVAL OPERATIONS IN THE BALTIC.

London, February 19. A wireless message from Stockholm states that, according to reports in the Swedish Press, Germany is preparing.to land a Finnish battalion of the German Army and other forces in Finland. These operations will be accompanied by naval action in the Baltic, with landings also in the unoccupied parts of Livonia and Esthonia. —Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assn. BED GUARDS REINFORCED. Stockholm, February 19. Helsingfors reports that 15,000 Red Guards, armed with rifles and ma-chine-guns, have arrived in Southern Finland from Petrograd. Several hundred White Guards have reached tho Aaland Islands, after crossing the ice, and caused further bloody fighting with tho Russians, who now refuse to leave unless tho White Gnarcts also leave. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. RUSSIAN FLEET LEAVES HELSINGFORS. (Rec. February 20, 5.5 p.m.) Copenhagen, February 19. The Russian Baltic Fleet, which lias been icebound at Helsingfors, has I now departed.—Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assn.

THE WAR IN SOUTHERN RUSSIA

EXTRAORDINARY STORIES OF SANGUINARY FIGHTING.

Petrograd, February 19. Extraordinary stories are coming from Kieff, describing the recent fighting between the Bolshevik and Ukrainian and Cossack forces. Over.2ooo men Were killed and 9000 wounded. The lurid picture includes street battles- and bombardments from both banks of the Dnieper, and an artillery attack on Petchorsky Monastery. Bolshevik aeroplanes dropped bombs indiscriminately, simultaneous with wholesale looting or shops and residences by armed hooligans and soldiers. The Jewish quarter particularly suffered. The Bqlsheviki twice captured KiefE. The second timo they were reinforced by six infantry regiments, two divisions of artillery, and cavalry from the south-west front. The artillery razed the walls of the l'etchorsky Monastery, where the Ukrainians, Cossacks, and Cadets had resisted for three days. The Bolsheviki then entered, and took prisoner the garrison. The Ukrainians fought in the centre of the town until their ammunition was exhausted. After suffering severely they then surrendered. Two days later detachments of Ukrainian Cossacks re-formed and hid and reopened a violent fire on various parts of ijlie town. During the two days' terror 400 residents were killed. The Bolshevik report states that tho massacre reached its climax by a murderous bombardment by the Cossacks of the workers' quarter. Ultimately the Ukrainians' Cossacks were driven out, and took refuge in the Kievopetchera Monastery, in tho suburbs, using artillery, but they were surrounded on all sides.

Tho Bolslieviki heavily defeated General Alexieff nearToronetz. STexieff retreated to Navocherkask. The Coesacks are forcing the miners at Taganrog to supply coal exclusively to towns in the Don region. Railway workers who refuse to handle the coal are shot.—"Tho Times."

REPORTER SUICIDE OF KALEDIN (. . ■

(Rec. February 20, 5.5 p.m.) Petrograd, February 19. It is reported that General Kaledin has committed suicide.—Aus.JJ.Z. Cable Assn.

UKRAINE PEACE NOT RECOGNISED

EADA MEMBERS AREESTED BY THE BOLSHEVIK!

Petrograd, February 19. The Bolshcviki have arrested all the members of the Ukrainian Central Rada and the Ukrainian delegation at Brest Litovsk, including the president, and are charging them with high trebson. The Bolsheviki refuso to recognise the peace concluded by the Rada.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

UKRAINIAN DELEGATES AT BERLIN.

Amsterdam, February 19. The Ukrainian delegates have arrived in Berlin to arrange details foi carrying out the peace treaty.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

UNSPEAKABLE CHAOS IN PETROGRAD

SATURNALIA OF MURDER, OUTRAGE, AND ROBBERY.

(Rec. February 20, 5.5 p.m.) ■, , London, February 19. Delayed meesages from Petrograd reflect unspeakable.chaos owing to the unbridled license of hordes of Red Guards, and wholesale robberies and confiscations. Owners of more than three horses, or four sheep, or two pigs are heavily taxed. The Soviets and Peasants' Committees get 25 per cent, of the proceeds. A perfect saturnalia of murder, outrage, and robbery continues. , As the result of the simplification of the divorco proceedings, there have been thirty-eight thousand applications for divorce in three months. The Bolsheviki are dispatching numerous Cossack battalions to the Don districts to assist the workers against General Kaledin.—"The Times."

' MILDER REGIME IN MOSCOW. , (Rec. February 20, 9.25 p.m.) Londonj February 19. The "Daily Chronicle's" Moscow correspondent states: "The Bolshevik regime is milder here, and the traces of starvation less pronounced. It is the city of refuge for the 'Intelligenaia. , Many former officers are selling newspapers in the streets; others are unloading trucks and sweeping crossings. The proletariat is not faring much better. The factories ere gradually closing, and unemployment is increasing owing to the want of raw materials. Men in soldiers' uniform are making groat profits by selling food at excessive prices after securing the Revolutionary Committee's authority; to confiscate peasants' goods, tho peasants being flogged if they fail to give the goods. The 'Intelligensia' is not seeking palliatives, being convinced that the masses must learn from bitter experience what Bolshevik Socialism means. —Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn. \

THE REPUDIATED LOANS

DETAILS OF THE BOLSHEVIK DECREE,

Petrograd, February 19.

Official—"The decree annulling all loans excepts from its operation Russians who hold Government bonds under the amount of ten thousand roubles, who can exchange them for certificates in the new loan of the Russian Socialistic Federal Republic. The same applies to savings banks, co-oper-ative and other Socialistic institutions. All money not strictly earned by labour will be confiscated."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Reuter.

GERMAN NEGOTIATIONS WITH RUMANIA

Amsterdam, February 19. The "Cologne Gazette" states that it is expected that negotiations with Rumania will commence on February 22, when Br. von Ruhlmann (Foreign Minister) will proceed to Foesani.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn..