AFFAIRS IN RUSSIA

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 193, 4 May 1918, Page 7

AFFAIRS IN RUSSIA

GERMAN ACTION IN THE UKRAINE LENIN'S INFLUENCE STRONGER London, May 2. A German communique affords an interesting sidelight on the affairs iu Ukraine. It alleged that there is a strong anti-German agitation nt KielY, supported by members of the Government, and resulting, inter alia, in the distortion of the German decree regarding Hie spring sowing, which has produced excitement in the country, and caused the arrest of the manager of the .Russian Bank for Foreign Trade. The communique alleges that the Ukrainian Government connived in tho arrest of the manager. Field-Marshal von Eichorn was therefore obliged to take drastic action, including the establishment of military tribunals, severe penalties for disturbers of the peace, and arrest of the Ukrainian Minister of War, the wife of the Minister of the Interior, the commander of tho towii militia, ami others. Inspired German stories of the restoration of the Monarchy iu liussia. are believed by Mr. Phillips Price to show that Lenin's influence is stronger than ever. Tho authority of tho Soviet is everywhere increasing and replacing that of the zenistovs (town councils) even as far as the Arctic. The Bolshevik, leaders are anxious to revive production and tho people's sense of responsibility. The younger peasant soldiers in tho north are responding, and are organising transport, restoring agriculture, and assisting ,iu tho formation of the revolutionary army.—Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assn.-Keuter. Zurich, May 2. Field-Marshal von Eichorn, commanding the Germans in the Ukraine, has ordered the peasantrv to return tho property taken from' tho landowners, and to begin the cultivation of the great cs- 1 tales. This is arousing vigorous opposition. Tho Ukrainian Kada (Assembly) has instructed tho Minister of Agriculture to direct the peasants to disregard Von Eieliorn's instructions.—lteuter, GERMANS OCCUPY SEBASTOPOL (Bee. May 3, 11.15 p.m.) London, May 2. A wireless German official report states: "We broke tlio resistance of the eiiemy before Sebastopol and. occupied tho town.''—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Keuter. (liec. May 3, 11.15 p.m.) London,- May 2. Berlin official messages state that tho Germans have occupied Sebastopol without fighting.—Renter; . '