GRAVE CRISIS IN NORTHERN RUSSIA

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 135, 25 February 1918, Page 5

GRAVE CRISIS IN NORTHERN RUSSIA

COMPLETE COLLAPSE OF RUSSIAN RESISTANCE

LIBAU BALTIC FLEET IN DANGER OF CAPTURE

By Teleeraph-Press Association-Copirieht (Rec. February 24, 5.5 p.m.) Petrograd, February 22. It is reported that the Russian position on the northern front is critical, owing to the disorderly retirement blocking the roads. With a view to relieving the situation the Commissaries are dispatching Red Guards from detachments not yet entirely disorganised. The enemy haß occupied the entire first line of the northern front on the Dvina, and is moving towards Volmar. endeavouring to cut off Reval. The Russian commander on the Russian west front has ordered the retiring armies not to fight or'destroy their ammunition, pending the receipt of Germany's formal reply to M. Trotsky.— "The. Times." ' THE DEFENCE OP PETROGRAD London, February 22. The Russians, in a panic, have evacuated Reval and Pskoff. It is reported that 45 German warships are steaming towards Reval, where troops are' landing. The Bolsheviki assembled at the council table and hastily considered a scheme for the defence of Petrograd. A return of the available guns showed appalling conditions. Essential parts are missing, in consequence of the activities of German agents in the early days of the revolution. The troops were ordered to dig trenctws outside the capital, but superior counsels prevailed, with the realisation that the city can easily be starved if the Germans command the railway system. The Allied Embassies wero besieged by anxious inquirers, who were informed that their departure would be arranged only in the event of the Germans reaching Petrograd.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. , STUNNING BLOW TO THE RUSSIAN PUBLIC London, February 22. The "Morning Post's" Petrograd correspondent states that the announcement of the unconditional surrender was a stunning blow to the public. The Germans are making most.of the opportunity by lightning dashes into helpless Russia. Thousands of army horses have recently starved to death, the soldiers having sold the forage to pay their gambling debts. The condition of Russian railways has long been deplorable. The Germans are gaining enormous booty arid fighting material. They captured at Dvinsk sufficient food for a quarter of a million men for three weeks, and thirty thousand tons of sugar, six hundred locomotives, and a thousand wagons. The German invading forces, which have already overrun the entire war zone to a hundred miles deep, consist of only one division of cavalry and infantry. The Polish legions offered an armistice on condition that they were given free passage in any direction, and they are making towards Warsaw. The Bolshevik party's meetings have developed indignation towards Trotsky, who will probably resign. Pestilence and famine'will keep the Russian soil safe from German inroads long enough to enable the Allies on the West front to deal with the common enemy.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. ( STAFF BASELY DESERTS ITS TROOPS. (Rec. February 24, 5.5 p.m.) Petrograd, February 23. The Bolshevik North-western Headquarters Staff has fled to Smolny, abandoning touch with its armies.—"The Times." • AN ADVANCE OF FIFTY MILES (Rec. February 24, 5.5- p.m.) Petrograd, February 23. The enemy has advanced fifty miles along his whole front. German aeroplanes are distributing leaflets advising calmness among the inhabitants, as the Germans are bringing restoration, order, and food. The advance is not resisted anywhere. Jorty thousand troops seized twenty-seven trains and fled back to Moscow. The Germans are not taking prisoners, merely disarming them. The Bolsheviki are at their wits' end. The majority of the civilians are praying that the Germans will reach the city before the anarchists kick over the traces.' The British Consulate is crowded, and all, especially women and children, have been warned to leave immediately.—"Tue'Times."

GERMAN SQUADRON SAILS NORTH

(Rec. February 24) 5.5 p.m.)

Petrograd, February 22. Reliable reports state that ten German transports sailed from Danzig on ■February 20. bound northward. A German naval squadron has quitted Liban, bound northward. It is reported that Germany will occupy Petrograd until Russia gives guarantees of peace, and also a thirty vears 1 trade treaty.— Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

RUSSIAN BALTIC FLEET IN PERIL

(Rec. February 24, 5.5 p.m.)

~, „ , . London, February 23. The rapidity of the German advance at Ileval will decide the fate of the Russian Baltic fleet, which is ice-bound there, and the "Helsingfors fleet, the crews of which, have deserted. The ships include four Dreadnoughts, seven h\g cruisers, and sixty-four destroyers. The capture of the big ships will not affect British naval superiority, but the destroyers will prove most useful to Germany. It is expected that she will attempt to secure the Russian Black Bea fleet, but the Allies would mine the Dardanelles.—Renter.

DISORGANISATION IRREMEDIABLE,

(Rec. February 24, 5.5 p.m.)

Pctrograd, February 22. The disorganisation in the Navy is irremediable. The majority 'of tlio crews oppose active defence. Some demand their immediate discharge. The situation at Reval is tragic. The authorities desire to remove the warships to Kronstadt, but the ice prevents this. A similar position obtains at Helsingfors. The authorities are considering whether they ought to destroy the warships. If that ho impossible; then to intern them in Finland, as that is neutral territory. The Council of Commissaries has ordered the evacuation of Finland.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. THE WAR IN FINLAND. (Rec. February 24, 5.5, p.m.) Petrograd, February 22. The Red Guards are gradually concentrating at Hammerfors. .They are being_ pressed on all sides by the Whito Guards, who are seizing Miportant junctions with a view to cutting them off from Helsingfors. A decisive battle is expected near Vilpall for the mastery of Middle Finland. Russian aviators are dropping leaflets inciting the population. Petrograd is greatly agi- '■ tated oyer a report that a German officer, instmctetl by Berlin, is assisting the White Guards. This is regarded as treachery. The People's Commissaries have ordered the retiring troops to destroy everything. Thus more frightful devastation will be committed on an already ruined country. The Germans can easily occupy Petrograd. A report from Haparanda states that four vessels have arrived from Germany, bringing provisions, German volunteers for the Finnish cavalry who formerly served m Germany, one hundred thousand rifles, and a large quantity of field and machine-guns. A strong offensive is expected towards Viborg and Hammerfors. The Red Guards at Viborg are receiving further large reinforcements, guns, and armoured cars.—"The Times,"MARTIAL LAW DECLARED (R«c. February 24, 5.5 p.m.) Petrograd, February 25. A special military general staff of five has been appointed. It has been resolved to mobilise the whole of the able-bodied men and confiscate all property necessary for defensive purposes. Martial law has been established. General Krylenko, in a proclamation, states: "The strugglo continues, not for certain peace terms, but to end the Soviets' power. Germany is unable to throw large armies against Russia—only small detachments of from a thousand to two thousand live hundred." Krylenko appeals for small detachments to oppose the invader and check the forward movement. The foreign Embassies aro preparing to leave. M. Trotsky has gone to Dvinsk for the purpose of stopping the new hostilities. He carries Russia's reply to Germany's demands, but it is expected that Germany will now insist on non-intervontion in the Ukraine, the stoppage of civil wax in the Ukraine, non-intervention in Finland, and the withdrawal of Russian troops from Finland.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. APPEAL OP THE COUNCIL OF COMMISSARIES (Rec. February 24, 5.5 p.m.) Petrograd, February 23. The Board of the Petrograd Council of the Army Commissaries discussed Germany's refusal of a peace offer. The Council is preparing defence schemes, notably the development of a new army. The old army's position is considered to be hopeless. _ Nevertheless the Bolshevik influence iu the Council is increasing. The majority of _ the Bolsheviki oppose a holy war, and favour Lenin's attitude. The Council of Commissaries has issued a manifesto which declares that the Republic is imperilled, and appeals to all citizens to enrol for the defence of the revolution, and warns tho Sonets to defend their positions to the last drop of blood. Railways must be destroyed and stock and locomotives removed eastward. _ The people are ordered to raise battalions, construct defences for the cities and towns. "Lawless elements," it is stated, "must be expelled, and tho discipline of the Army firmly maintained. The bourgeoisie must enlist or be shot on sight."—Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn. PEACE TERMS TO BE REVIEWED Amsterdam, February 21. It is reported from Berlin that Dr. von Kuhlmann has begun a consultation of the Central Powers regarding the final terms of the Russian peace, in view of the unconditional surrender of the Bolsheviki. Meanwhile the German advance will be continued in order to en force an early and definite settlement. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. HARSHER CONDITIONS EXPECTED. New York, February 22. The New York "World's" Petrograd corresjxmdent states that there is an opinion at the Bolshevik headquarters that the Germans will add new and harsher conditions before terms of peace are signed.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. Amsterdam, February 22.

Germany regards the proposals set out at Brest Litovsk as annulled. It is believed that she is now determined t-o demand the whole of the Baltic coast, including the possession of the Russian Baltic fleet. The Germans have placed a levy oh Warsaw for 250,000 marks as punishment for the recent disorders. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.