JAPAN AND THE BOLSHEVIKI

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 147, 11 March 1918, Page 5

JAPAN AND THE BOLSHEVIKI

GRAVE FEARS OF SITUATION IN SIBERIA QUESTION OF PROTECTING RUSSIAN INTERESTS New York, March 8. The Washington correspondent of the "World" learns from a high Japanese source that Japan has grave fears of the situation in Siberia, believing that the Bolslieviki are incapable of protecting their own interests. Japan regards April as tho most, suitable month in which to begin the campaign, bub will not act unless she has the full approval of the Allies.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. STATEMENT BY UNITED STATES SECRETARY OF STATE GERMAN INTRIGUE TO SET UP IRRITATION. (Rec. March 10, 5.5 p.m.) Paris, March 9. Mr. Robert Lansing (United States Secretary of State), in an article in the "Excelsior," says that the intentions of Japan towards tho United States regarding the Siberian expedition had been misunderstood. This led to mutual suspicions, which w,ere cleverly exploited by German agonts, who were seeking to propagate discord between the two States. He added: "I strongly repudiate the suggestion that' Japan has any aggressive designs." Viscijunt Tshii, of the Japanese mission, states that Japan only desiroß to aid in the complete suppression of the Prussian military caste.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.. INDUSTRIES TO BE NATIONALISED FOR WAR PURPOSES. (Rec. March 10, 5.5 p.m.) Tokio, March 9. The Government is introducing a Bill to nationalise all the industries for war purposes—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Renter. (Rec. March 10, 5.5 p.m.) Tokio, March 8. The majority of the newspapers advocate intervention, but opinion is di'vided. Tho "Osaka. Asahi Shimbun," representing the commercial interests, deprecates exaggeration of the Siberian disorders, and urges delay.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. THE RUSSO-GERMAN TREATY NOBODY BELIEVES PEACE WILL LAST. (Rec. March 10, 5.5 p.m.) London, March 8. The "Daily News" Petrograd correspondent says:—"Not a single newspaper or politician admits.that this will be a lasting peace. All agree a 6 to the immediate need of organised forces of resistance. The conditions in internal Russia are desperate. Rural life is at a standstill, owing to the lack of agricultural implements. The railways have broken down. The Army is a mass of crawling, demoralised soldiery. Many of them have no intention of returning home, and have taken up a half-conscious, nomadic existence. Every railway station is like an opened hive of bees, and smells like a vast latrine. Men are swarming in the cattle trucks." The correspondent believes that it will be years before demobilisation is complete. Thousands are leaving Petrograd on foot or on the roofs of trucks, hoping to find food. Japanese intervention would make their national catastrophe irreparable—it would mean a shortago of meat as well as of corn."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. BOLSHEVIK GOVERNMENT GOING TO MOSCOW MOVEMENT IN. FAVOUR OF PEACE TREATY GROWING. Petrograd, March 8. The Council of Commissaries has decided to move the Government to Moscow. The evacuation is proceeding rapidly, 'flip German occupation of Petrograd is considered likely on the pretext of restoring order. The Leninites in favour of ratification of the peace treaty are gaining ground.—Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn. NEWSPAPER COMMENT. Petrograd, March 8. The Petrograd correspondent of the "New York World" expects that peace will be ratified by the Moscow Congress of Soviets. The Bolshevik newspaper "Pravda" says that the worst enemies of the Revolution are Count Czernin (Austrian Foreign Minister) and Horr Hoffman (a leader of tho German Socialist Minority). As a result of this "robber peace" the workmen and peasants will suffer terrible punishment.—Aus. T N.Z. Cable Assn. RUSSIANS WARNED AGAINST GERMAN SOCIALIST IMPERIALISTS. ' (Rec. March 10, 5.5 p.m.) London, March 9. A wireless Russian report states that Lenin and Trotsky have ordered the Bolshevik Plenipotentiary at Sweden to have no relations with the German "Socialist-Imperialists." They declare that the partisans of Herr Scheidemann and Herr David are strike-breakers, and traitors to the working classes.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Router.