GERMANS ADVANCING IN RUSSIA

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 141, 4 March 1918, Page 5

GERMANS ADVANCING IN RUSSIA

PREPARATIONS TO DEFEND PETROGRAD JAPANESE INTERVENTION IN SIBERIA PROBABLE THE INTERVENTION OF JAPAN IN SIBERIA (Rec. March 3, 5.5 p.m.) Petrogi'ad, March 1 The German advance continues, despite the peace negotiations. The enemy is throwing large forces on the Orsha front. The Russians are digging trenches north of Orsha. A battle is imminent.—Aus.-N.Z. Oab'e Assn. CENTRAL POWERS REFUSE TO CEASE HOSTILITIES. (Reo. March 3, 5.5 p.m.) London, March 1. A Russian official message states: "The peace delegation at Brest Litovsk reports that the Central Powers, replying to a request for the cessation of hostilities, declared that they would cease only when a peace treaty had been signed. Three days havo been allowed for the negotiations, commencing to-day."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Reuter. GERMANS BELIEVED TO HAVE BROKEN OFF NEGOTIATIONS

IMMEDIATE ADVANCE ON PETROGRAD EXPECTED. (Rec' March 3,. 5.5 p.m.) London, March 1. A Russian report states: "Lenin has received a message from the Brest Litovsk delegation requesting a train with an escort. Lenin, commenting on this, says it probably means that the Germans have- broken the negotiations. 'We must ho ready for an immediate German advance on Petrograd on all fronts. The people must rise and strengthen the defence measures.' "—Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn.-Reuter. ORGANISING THE DEFENCE OF PETROGRAD A LONG SIEGE ANTICIPATED. London, March 1. A Russian official message states that a proclamation by the presidency of the Central Soviets and the Committee of Defence at Petrograd declares that the proletariat is organising for the defence of the capita], which will have to resist a long siege, but will not capitulate until the last moment. The proclamation urges all corn-producing provinces to send food to Petrograd and Moscow. Also, troops must be organised and sent to tho front without delay—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Reuter. RUSSIANS SWARMING TO THE CAPITAL HEAVY FIGHTING EXPECTED. (Rec. March 3, 5.5 p.m.) Petrograd, March 1. The Russians are swarming in from Moscow and other points and entrenching for several miles. Civilians have fled. Heavy fighting is expected. The Germans have seized largo supplies in the Viglisk and Polotz districts. The retarded speed of the advance at some noints is possibly connected with final peace negotiations, but the 80l .-.lieviki claim that it is due to the increasing resistance of the Red Guards, who have recaptured Duo. The total German forces' do not exceed two divisions, but they are perfectly equipped. The panic at Petrograd has ceased.—United Service. 'AMERICAN LABOUR FEDERATION URGES RUSSIANS TO'' FIGHT. (Rec. March 3, 5.5 p.m.) Washington, March 2. The Labour Federation has sent s. message to the Russian people urging them to fight the Germans.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. BRITISH AND FRENCH EMBASSIES LEAVE PETROGRAD. (Rec. March 3, 5.5 p.m.) London, March 1. An undated message from Petrograd states that the British and French Embassies have departed—Reuter. ENEMY TROOPS ENTERING THE UKRAINE

A RACE FOE FOOD.. (Rec. March 3, 5.5 p.m.) London, March 2. The "Daily Express" correspondent at Amsterdam says that, according to advice from Vienna, the Government has announced a change of policy sanctioning Austro-Eungarian military intervention in the Ukraine. This is due to the demand of Vienna's Burgomaster", who, pleading that Vienna was starving, said the only hope of obtaining bread was making peace with the Ukraine. The correspondent says he now hears that German troops are entering the Ukraine to seize food. The Austrians, therefore, are going to prevent the Germans securing food which Austria considers hers.—Reuter. GERMAN REPORT OF THE ADVANCE. (Rec. March 3, 5.5 p.m.) London, March 1. A German official report states: "We are advancing eastwards along the northern frontier of the Ukraine, and have readied the Dnieper. We encountered near Rjostchiza a strongly-fortified bridgehead. We stormed and captured the town and railway station and took a few hundred prisoners. We seized at Mosyr six armoured boats, thirty-six motor-boats, and six hospital boats. We have reached the Kieff-Shmerinka railway, near Fastoff and Kasatin, and hastened to assist the Polish legionaries engaged against superior numbers to the south-west of Starm and Komtantinoff, the enemy being defeated. Austro-Hungarian forces, in response to the Ukrainian appeal, haye entered the Ukraine on wide sectors northward of the Pruth."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Reuter. GERMANS REACH THE DNIEPER. (Rec. March 3, 5.5 p.m.) > Amsterdam, March 1. Berlin reports state that the Germans have resumed the advance in Russia, and reached the Dniepor. The Austrians have begun an advance into the Ukraine. —Reuter. AN AUSTRIAN REPORT. (Rec. March 3, 5.5 p.m.) London, March 2. An Austrian official report says: "We entered Podolien and reached a line from Nowoselica, Chotin, Kagniec to Podolski. Ten thousand Russians have so far laid down their arms."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Reuter. | BOLSHEVIKI DESTROYING CEREALS PROMISED TO | CENTRAL POWERS. (Rec. Marcli 3, 5.5 p.m.) Zurich, March 1. The Austro-Hungarian Government announces that it is acceding to the Ukraine's Tcquest in dispatching troops to the Ukraine against the Bolsheviki, who are destroying tho cereals which the Ukraine has promised to the Central Powers.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

TO SAVE WAR STORES AND PREVENT SEIZURE OF MINES.

London, March 1. It is generally believed that Japan intends to tako energetic measures if peaco is concluded at Brest Litovsk. She is determined to prevent the Germans seizing the copper and platinum mines in the Urals, and also to save the vast quantities of munitions and stores at Vladivostok. It is understood Japan has already approached America. Japan is eveji willing to co-operate with American troops if. the Allies consider it advisable. The "Daily Chronicle's'" diplomatic correspondent states that Japan's active intervention in the war is strongly favoured in France, particularly by Clemenceau and M. Pichon, but public opinion in England is awaiting a definite lead from the Government. It is well known that General Foch in Novembersaw the possibilities, a-nd the matter was discussed by the Allied War Council in Pans. It is now obvious that Japan cannot remain a spectator of events which are placing Russia in complete subjection to Germany, and imperilling Japan's existence as an Empire.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. JAPAN WILL ACT ONLY IN AGREEMENT WITH AMERICA AND BRITAIN. (Reo. March 3, 5.20 p.m.) Shanghai, March 1. It is understood that China and Japan have arranged to intervene in Eastern Siberia whenever necessary in order to save half a million tons of munitions and war stores which are accumulated at Vladivostok. It is announced in Tokio that Japan will only act after the fullest discussion and complete agreement with America and Britain. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. JAPAN'S INTERVENTION NOT HOSTILE TO THE RUSSIANS. (Rec. March 3, 5.5 p.m.) London, March 2. The "Daily Mail" understands that the British and Japanese Governments stress the fact that Japan's intervention in Russia is in no sense to be construed as hostile to Russia or to the Russian Government. The purpose, apart from the protection of the Allied interests, is to assist Russia to lighten and eventually to lift the Gorman burden.—United Service. INTERVENTION LIMITED TO THE RE-ESTABLISHMENT OF ORDER, (Rec. March 3, 5.6 p.m.). , . . Paris < March IThe "Petit Journal" says that impending Japanese intervention explains tho Entente Ambassadors' departure from Petrograd. The intervention at first will be limited to re-establishing order in Siberia. Extension of the intervention will depend on the advance elsewhere.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. UNITED STATES WILL NOT SEND TROOPS TO SIBERIA DOES NOT OBJECT TO JAPANESE GOING. (Rec. March 2, 5.5 p.m.) New York, March 1. The United Press correspondent at. Washington learns that at a meeting of President Wilson and the Cabinet' it was decided that the United States would raise no objection to Japan sending troops to Siberia in self-defence, but that the United States forces would not 'participate.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. VIEWS OF NEW YORK PRESS. ' New York, March 1. The newspapers discuss at length the possible participation of Japan in Siberia, pointing out that her assistance now would be of maximum . value. Tho New York "Herald" urges the Government to agree to help from Japan before it is too late. The New York "World's" correspondent at Washington learns that Japan considers that Russia, by her collapse', has forfeited her sphere of influence in Northern Manchuria. China shares this view.—-Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

MUNITIONS AT VLADIVOSTOK SEIZED BY THE MAXIMALISTS TOltio, March 1. The Maximalists are reported to have seized munitions at Vladivostok.— Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. AUSTRO-GERMAN PRISONERS IN SIBERIA LIBERATED AND ARMED. _ . , , • Tofcio, March 1. It is reported that 200,000 Austro-German prisoners in 'Siberia have besi> liberated and.supplied with arms. This is regarded as a serious menace — Am-N.Z. Cable Assn. I SAFEGUARDING CHINA'S INTERESTS IN SIBERIA. (Rec. March 3, 5.5 p.m.) London, March 2. In Shanghai the view is held tlir>t the Chinese decision to co-operate with Japan safeguards China's interests in Siberia, and that renewed efforts should bo made to effect a reconciliation between North and South China.—Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn. JAPAN'S SECURITY ENDANGERED. (Rec. March 3, 5.5 p.m.) London, March 2. It is reported in London that Japan has hitherto only sounded the Allies regarding intervention, and not mado proposals. Japanese circles in London declare that Japan does not seek aggrandisement, but recognises that Japan's security in the Far East is endangered by the new Russian situa-tion.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. . RUSSIA'S HUGE WAR LOSSES A STAGGERING TOTAL. (Rec, March 3, 5.5 p.m.) Berne, March 1. The "Journal de Geneve" states that it has compiled from authoritative sources statistics of Russia's war losses. They include five million killed, six million wounded, of whom 40 pen cont. will not be able to work again, and three million prisoners, of whom 1,500,000 are suffering from consumption.— Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. • AUSTRIAN PRISONERS RETURNING FROM RUSSIA: (ReCi March 3, 5.5 p.m.) Amsterdam, March 1. Austrian prisoners from Russia are returning across East Galicia at the rate of 5000 daily, and are beimg drafted to garrison corps after a brief quarantine.—Reuter. THE ANNEXATION OF KHOLM, TO THE UKRAINE AUSTRIA'S DUPLICITY DENOUNCED. (Rec. March 3, 5.5 p.m.) Berne, March 2.' One of the Cracow newspapers states that the Germans killed or wounded many at Warsaw during » demonstration against the annexation of Kholm to the Ukraine. The text of a suppressed speech of a Polish deputy, M.. Glombinski, in the Austrian Chamber shows that _he declared that Count Czernin had forced Kholm oil the unwilling Ukrainians without previously consulting the Poles. He described Austria's duplicity as rivalling the Prussian brutality.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

RUMANIA RESISTS CENTRAL POWERS' DEMANDS

NEGOTIATIONS BROKEN OFF. , London, March 1. Austrian and German newspapers report that the negotiations between the Central Powers and Rumania have been raptured. Rumania resists the Central Powers' extortionate demands.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. Copenhagen, March 2. The "Frankfurter Zeitung" states that the terms the Central Powers are demanding from Rumania include the cession of the Carpathian passes to Hungary, and economic concessions.-AVus.-N Z. Cabla Assn, PEACE ON ANY TEEMS NOT ACCEPTABLE. Copenhagen, March 1. It is officially announced from Jassy that developments on the East front have caused the Rumanian Government to consider tho possibility of entering peace negotiations, whkih will n<rt be begun until the Government receives assurances that terms will bo .•.cceptahle in every respect. Rumours of peace on any terms are unfoinndcd.—"The Times." KING OF RUMANIA'S A3DICATION DEMANDED BY AUSTRIAN FOREIGN MINISTER. (Rec. March 3, 5.5 p.m.) Amsterdam, March 1. Berlin telegrams State that Count Czernin has demanded that the King of Rumania, should abdicate in favour of his brother, Prince William, or take a referendum in Rumania regardiug the succession to tho throne.—Renter. PLANS OF GERMAN ANNEXATIONISTS.. Amsterdam, March J. German annexationists are planning to occupy Snake Iskwl, in The l'.la''l< Sea, and conyert it into a second Heligoland. They also seek to limit Rumanian control in Bessarabia.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. THE LOCK-OUT OF LITVINOFF (Rec. March 3, 5.5 p.m.) London, March 2. The solicitor for jl. Litvinoff's landlord says the most serious foatureof M. Litvinoff's tenancy -was the constant procession visiting M. Litrinoff. The Court granted an interim injunction restraining the landlord .from ejecting M. LitvinofF or denying him access to the Embassy.—Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assn.

FINNISH PEOPLE STRIVING FOR FULL LIBERTY

GOVERNMENT APPEALS TO THE KAISER. " Copenhagen, March 1. The Finnish Government lias written to the Kaiser, asking if he, as the mightiest protector of Germanic lwltur and the evangelic; faith, will obtain security for the Finnish people, who are striving for full liberty for peaceful development, by demanding at Brest Litovsk that the Russian .troops shall bo withdrawn from Finland, and steps taken to see the measures carried into effect at once. • . The White Guards commenced a determined offensive on Tnmmerfors on Tuesday.—Aus.-N.Z. Gible Assn, THE RUSSIAN BALTIC FLEET . ~. TO FIGHT THE FINNISH WHITE GUARDS. ■ (Rec. March 3, 5.20 p.m.) Petrograd, March 2. The Committee of the Baltic Fle«t has decided to prepare the ships to fight the Finnish White Guards.—Renter. BRITISH AMBASSADOR'S WARNING TO THE TSAR THE PATH OF REACTION CHOSEN. (Rec. March 3, 5.5 p.m.) London, March 2. At a dinner in honour of Sir George Buchanan, late British Ambassador at Petrograd, Sir George said he could not yet' make a full revelation of the things he had seen in Russia.; It almost broke his h::irt to think of them. He told ihe Tsar at the end of 1916 that he had come to the parting of the ways and must choose between the party leading to victory and that leading to revolution. He chose the path of reaction, but it was untrue to say that the Tsar on the ove of his abdication favoured concluding a separate peace with Germany. The, Tsar was not a traitor, andwould never betray the Allies' cause.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.