THE SOVIET CONFERENCE AT MOSCOW

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 159, 25 March 1918, Page 5

THE SOVIET CONFERENCE AT MOSCOW

DEFENCE GF RUSSIA CONSIDERED ■■ .•. .-; BOLSHEVIKI POWERLESS TO CREATE AN ARMY ' Moscow, March 21. Trotsky, addressing the Soviet Conference at Moscow, said he Relieved a general peace was possible at Russia's expense, therefore Russia must create a strong army opposition. Several speakers drew attention to the inconsistency of Trotsky's advocacr of a new army, in view of Lenin's demand for the ratification of the peace treaty. The speakers urged that the defence of the country should be placed in the hands of the Constituent Assembly, adding that the Boisheviki wero powerloss to create an army. The Foreign Affairs Commissary denies the rumour that a German Commission is controlling and denationalising tho banks, and demanding extraterritoriality for Petrofcrad. The Soviet Government would norer agree to such demands.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. PEACE TREATY APPROVED BY THE REICHSTAG. (Roc. March 24, 5.5 p.m.) Amsterdam, March 23. The Reichstag has approved the Russian peace treaties.—Reuter. AMERICA STILL REGARDS RUSSIA AS AN ALLY. m , ' „ Washington, March 22. The State Department reports that the attitude of the United States towards Russia is unchanged. America still regards Russia as a co-belligerent and ally.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. GERMAN-POLISH AGREEMENT REACHED. ,„_... Amsterdam, March 22. A Oerman-Polieh agreement has been reached. Germany renounces all annexation, and will allow Poland autonomy and power to constituto its own army.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. I : AUSTRIA'S TERRITORIAL DEMANDS IN THE UKRAINE Petrograd, March 22. bonous diiFai-ences have developed between Austria and tho Ukrainian Rada regarding the division of territory. Austria has demanded portion of the province of Volin. It is reported that tho Caucasian governing body has broken off peace negotiations with Turkey.—Aus.-N.Z. Cahlo Assn. MARTIAL LAW PROCLAIMED IN BtKRAINE TOWNS. Moscow, March 21. _ "">, Ukrame Executive has proclaimed martial law in Poltava, KharIcoff , and Tchermgoff. A general mobilisation of workers between tho ages of 18 and 37 has been ordered. Tho Russian Foreign Affairs Commissary denies the German occupation of Rostoff. The Gormans are still 85 railos from E3mi-koff.—Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assn.

: OHERSON AND OOHAKOFF CAPTURED BY THE GERMANS. ;•.•■■"■ London, March 21. ■-• A German official message states: "Wβ bave caplured Oherson, in tho : r Ukraine."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Reuter. ■ CR-eo.. March 94, 5.5 p.m.) . f - Potrograd, March 23. The Germans have occupied the town of Ochakoff, forty miles north-east ,- 'of Odessa.—Eeuter. JAPAN NOT DECIDED UPON ACTION IN SIBERIA :•- . AN ALL-PARTY CABINET PROBABLE. • CRec. March 24,. 5.5 p.m.) London, Mnrch 23. . The "Daily Chronicle" says tha't according to an Osaka cable message Japan has not yet made up her mind regarding Siberia. The hesitation is ; duo to tho Cabinet's weakness. It is probable the solution will be an allparty Cabinet.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. • ' : ' Tokio, March 23. Tho Elder Statesmen • will meet next week to consider the Siberian situation, arid subsequently the Crown Council will meet to decide what action to take.—Aus.-N.Z.i Cable Assn. >:, FORCE OF AUSTRO-GERMAN PRISONERS BEING ORGANISED. (Eec. March 24, 5.5 p.m.) ■ Toklo, March 23. \ Disguised German ofßcers continue to arrive at Irkutsk- for the purpose . of organising a force of Austro-German prisoners in Siberia.—Aus-N.Z. Cable Assn. ' BOLSHEVIK! NOT ARMING THE PRISONERS OF WAR. '[] '■' J: /■ :;' : . - Petrograd, March 22. •Trotsky has emphatically denied that the Bolsheviki are arming Austrian and German, prisoners in Siberia.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. RUMANIAN MINISTERS INSIGNIFICANT POLITICIANS . ' RESUMPTION OF PEACE NEGOTIATIONS EXPECTED. . Jassy, March 22. Tho new Rumanian Cabinet consists of insignificant politicians, including only one ex-Minister. It is expected tiiat peace pourparlers will be resumed immediately.—Eeuter. ARMISTICE WITH RUMANIA EXTENDED. (Rfic. March 24, 6.5 p.m.) Amsterdam, March 23. ■ Austrian Headquarters states that the armistice with Rumania has been further extended ;for 72 hours.—R'euter.