GERMANS ADVANCING ON PETROGRAD

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 142, 5 March 1918, Page 5

GERMANS ADVANCING ON PETROGRAD

ENCIRCLING MOVEMENT COMMENCED RUSSIAN DELEGATES SIGN PEACE TREATY Potrograd, March 3. The Germans have begun an encircling movement south of Petrograd, apparently to cut off the capital from Moscow. The former peace delegates h/ive issued a proclamation declaring: "Wo have decided in favour of war. The enemy will only enter Petrograd over our bodies. Our slogan is, 'Victory or Death.' "—Aub.-N.Z. Cable Assn. ENEMY ADVANCING TOWARDS THE CAPITAL. ' Petrograd, March 3. The Germans have resumed the advance from Pskoff, and have occupied Khastitea. It is expected they will capture Bologovo (on the Moscow-Petro-grad railway, near Valdar), which is tno main channel of Petrograd's food supply, with a view to starving the capital.—"The Times." EIGHTY MILES FROM PETROGRAD. . (Rec. March 4, 10.45 p.m.) Petrograd, March 3. The Germans have reached Narva, eighty miles from Petrograd, and are approaching Lougadno. The capture of the latter will give three railway connections, with Petrograd. Patrols have penetrated deeply at some points. —■'The Times." I- ■ — .■. j TAKING OF PETROGRAD WOULD INCREASE GERMANY'S ] ECONOMIC DIFFICULTIES. \ ' Paris, March 3. ! Mr. Shaplen, 'the United Press Agency's representative at Petrograd, {interviewed M. Kalogayeff, Commissioner of Agriculture, who said: "The yvar will continue, irrespective of tho signing of the peace at Brest Litovsk. $Tie Germans occupy only the breadless provinces. If they take Petrograd they must feed three million inhabitants. Military successes, therefore, simply tjjghten the economic noose round the necks of the Germans."—Aus.-N.Z. Ci ible Assn. PETROGRAD BOMBED BY GERMAN AEROPLANE. (Rcc. March 4, 7.15 p.m.) 1 Petrograd, March 3. A German .aeroplane bombed the city and* killed three and wounded five. —Beufer. ' GEQ'-MAN REPORT CLAIMS GREAT CAPTURES OF MEN AND . . MATERIAL MILITARY MOVEMENTS IN GREAT RUSSIA SAID TO HAVE CEASED. (Reo. March 4, 7.15 p.m.) London, March 3. A German official report says:—"After a hard fight we captured Pleskau ailso Polozk and Bolissoff, and junctioned with the Polish' division's at Bobtuisft'. The Austro-Germans have entered Shmcrinka. We have taken prisoner heretofore 6800 officers and 57,000 men, and captured 2400,' gnus, 5000 mwshifle-guns, thousands of vehicles, _ including _ 1000 motor . vehicles ,11 armoured cars, 800 locomotives, 8000 railway trucks, and great quantities of artillerv and munitions. Moreover, we have taken prisoner in Reval 51.M men, and captured 220 guns, and "twenty-two aeroplanes. A further armistice has been granted to Rumania to continue the peace negotiations." . • A latdr message says:—"Owing to the signature of the peace treaty, military ntaovements in Great Russia have ceased."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.Rcnter.

AN AUSTRIAN REPORT. London, March 3. An Austrian official message states: "We have reached Lacsowy, Proskurow, and jiipkany, and have occupied Ohotin, Kaminonec, and Podolsky, where the stotff of two Russian corps surrendered. Three hundred guns, two hundred field, kitchens, one complete radio station, and much material were captured."—.Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Eouter. RUSSRN OFFICERS SUMMONED TO CO-OPERATE IN DEFENCE. Petrograd, March 3. Tho Revolutionary Committee has summoned all officers on the military list to co-operate in the defence.. The peace delegation has telegraphed to the Council of Commissaries ordering it not to surrender anything without a struggle, a\nd urging it to fight to the last. Ilio message adds: "The Germans have only small detachments, nevertheless it appears that the delegates have decided to sign the peace terms regardless of conditions." Under the latest Russc'i-German agreement Russia hands over tho districts of Batouo, Kars (Russian Armenia), and Karaghan (Transcaspian Territory).— Aus.-N'z. Cable itssn. ' RUiBSIANS DEPORTED TO GERMANY. Petrograd, March 3. The Germans ais Pskoff have deported to Germany all men under 42 years of age.—Reuter. DELIBERATIONS OVER PEACE TREATY USELESS RUSSIANS RIS.SOLVE TO SIGN WITHOUT DISCUSSION. Petrograd, March 3. The delegation at Rrost Litovsk. telegraphed on Saturday: "As anticipated, the deliberation:; over the peace treaty wore absolutely useless, and could only make things worse, and oven lead to the presentation of another ultimatum. In view of this and the refusal of the Germans to ceaso military action until peace is sigjned ,we resolved to sign the treaty without discuss-' ing its contents, and leave after signature. We therefore scut the request for a train, intending t<» sign the treaty to-day and leave afterwards."— Eeuter. LATEST GERMAN TERMS. MORE STRINGENT. (Rec. March 4, 7 p.m.) Petrograd, March 3. Lonin arid Trotsky report that the latest German terms are more stringent than thoso of February 25. They were presented, as an ultimatum to tiie delegation, and signed without discussion. The new terms compel Russia to yield the Batounv, Kars, and Earachan districts (in Caucasia). The sinning of the agreement without discussion made a had impression on the Couucir of Commissaries..—Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assn. CONGRESS OF SOVHETS.TO DISCUSS PEACE TERMS. (Rcc. March 4, 7.15 p.m.) Petrograd, March 3. A large number of provincial Soviets, including those of Moscow, "are dissatisfied with the peace tornns, and bavo convened a congress of Soviets at Moscow for March 12 to cfeuss tho conditions.—Reuter.

GERMAN PEACE TREATY SIGNED ON SUNDAY. (Rec. March 5, 1 a.m.) Berne, March 3. 1 he German official peace treaty was signed at five o'clock on the evening ol March 3—Router. RUMANIA REJECTS PEACE TERMS (Rec. March 4, 7 p.m.) ~.. . . Copenhagen, March 3. The National Tidendo's" Berlin correspondent reports that Rumania has rejected peace, the King refusing the terms.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. RUMANIA REPORTED TO HAVE ADOPTED BASIS FOR NEGOTIATIONS. (RccT March 4, 7 p.m.) Amsterdam, March 3. It is semi-officialiy reported from Bucharest that Ruma'uia has adopted the basis for negotiations proposed by the Central Towers, aud will send representatives to discuss the conclusion of peace. It is officially reported from Vienna that the negotiations with Rumania are proceeding favourably.—Router.' GERMANY'S WAR POLICY IN RUSSIA DENOUNCED IN THE REICHSTAG. o ~ . , „. , „ Amsterdam, March 3. Speaking m the Reichstag, Herr Vogtherr (Socialist) denounced Germany s infamous war policy in Russia and accused the Chancellor of breaking the law by importing food from Bavaria. He said that Austria and Germany were already disputing over the Ukraine booty.—Reuter. ESTHONIA'S INDEPENDENCE PROCLAIMED _ ~ , ± . . , London, March 3. iSerlm reports that a rival town council proclaimed Esthonia's independence and neutrality. A Provisional Government is being formed. Estonian soldiers have heen recalled from tho Russian Army;—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. BOLSHEVIKI REPORTED TO HAVE SEIZED VLADIVOSTOK PIERS i / — : '. ' THREAT TO REQUISITION FOREIGN MERCHANTMEN. New York, March 3. The United Press Agency at Tokio states that there is' an unconfirmed report that the Bolsheviki have seized the piers at Vladivostok, containing munitions and' supplies valued at a hundred million roubles. • The Bolsheviki threatened to requisition foreign merchantmen, whereupon Allied warships in the harbour prepared to land marines. After a meeting with the Emperor and Cabinet on Friday,, Admiral Tunaki hurriecßy departed for Vladivostok. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. JAPANESE AND CHINESE TROOPS ENTER SIBERIA. Washington, March 3. • The Japanese Embassy reports that Japanese and Chinese troops have entered Siberia. The Japanese are merely guarding the railway near Har-bin.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. . LARGE JAPANESE FORCES IN KOREA AND MANCHURIA. London,, March 3. A high Japanese official in London states that Japan has' been long waiting for tho chance for more effective military co-operation conformable to the Allies' interests. Largo forces in Korea and Manchuria are ready to advance at a few hours| notice, and can be quickly reinforced. The RussoJapanese Alliance will not be abrogated by the Bolshevik policy. Japan is entitled to intervene without antagonising Russia. The Tientsin' correspondent of the "Weekly Dispatch" reports that Japan and China are already sending troops to Siberia and Manchuria respectively.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. ! DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS BETWEEN RUSSIA AND JAPAN NOT SEVERED. Tokio, March 3. Baron Motono (Minister for Foreign Affairs), speaking in the Diet, emphasised that the Allied Ambassadors had left Petrograd because their personal safety was endangered. Diplomatic relations had not been severed. Count. Terauchi (Premier) warned the people to consider the subject calmly. They must take the greatest care and not make mistakes.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. FAR EAST SITUATION DELICATE. London, March 3. ■ Correspondents in Washington point out that the situation in the Far East is delicate, because the Allies do not want the Bolsheviki to construe Japanese participation as an unfriendly act towards Russia. The "New York Times" says that if Japan lands a force at Vladivostok Japan will not establish a shadow of title to retain Siberian territory after the war. It is absurd to suppose that' Japan will make such pretensions. The "New York World" believes that Britain will not consent to the dispatch of a Japanese force to Siberia without a definite agreement regarding the employment and ultimate withdrawal of the troops. Tiio "New York Herald" suggests that the Japanese should invite Chinese co-operation in any protective movement in the Far East.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. GERMANY SENDING TROOPS TO FINLAND SWEDEN OBJECTS TO THE OCCUPATION OF THE AALAND ■ ■. , ISLANDS. (Rec?-'March 4, 10.45 p.m.) Stockholm, March 3. Germany has officially informed Sweden that she is sending troops to Finland at the request of the Finnish Government, to suppress the revolution. The German troops will use the Aaland Islands as a halting place. Germany assures Sweden that she has. no territorial interest in the Aalands, and recognises Sweden's vital interest therein. Sweden has replied that she strongly objects to the eventual inclusion 'of the Aalands iii the • sphere of war operations, and emphasises that even the limited utilisation according to the German conditions might create difficulties in the way of Sweden's humanitarian work of protection cf the population of the islands. The Swedish commander in the Aalands has heen informed that he may expect .the arrival of the German expedition.—Router.

GERMAN SQUARDON GOING-UP THE BALTIC.

(Rec. March I, 7 p.m.)

Stockholm, March 3. ' A large German squadron passed Gothland on Saturday, steering in a northerly direction.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

TROOPS TRANSPORTED TO THE AALAND ISLANDS,

(Rec. March 5, 1 a.m.)

Copenhagen, March 4. The German squadron which passed Gothland was apparently transporting troops to the Aaland Jslonds, where the transports are protected by cruisers and destroyers. Tho troops disembarked on Saturday. There is great excitement in Sweden at these developments.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

TERRIBLE FAMINE AT HELSINGFORS,

(Rcc. March 4, 7 p.m.)

.- , Copenhagen, March 3. There is a terrible famine at Helsingfors.'. The last bread ration was distributed yesterday. The Premier has resigned.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. ■ \