GERMANY AND THE UKRAINE

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 196, 8 May 1918, Page 5

GERMANY AND THE UKRAINE

EXPLANATIONS IN THE REICHSTAG

MOVE TO COMPEL SUPPLY

OF FOODSTUFFS

Amsterdam, May 6. Speaking in tho lleichstag, Herr von Payer, Vice-Chancellor, admitted that the Germans entered Ukraine not merely for the purpose of restoring order, but becauso they wanted foodstuffs as 6pcedily as possible. Ho said lh« Bad a (Ukrainian Assembly) was powerless to mako the population deliver grain. Its communistic theories, moreover, were not reciprocated by tho peasants, hence the trouble which had led to tho overthrow of the Government. Tho new Government which was being formed by the Cossack Hetman, Skoropiuiski, whom tho peasants had elected, had agreed to the formation of German field tribunals. Tho new Government refused to reeogniso the theories that levied tho ownership of tho soil. It had agreed to the necessity of concluding a long term economic •agreement with the Central Powers, and would negotiate for the reimbursement of German military assistance.

Tho Socialists declared that the people did not stand behind Skoropadski, the head of the new Government, which liad no more power than the old one. Herr Erzbergor declared that tho shape taken by (he Eastern questions would decide the entire future shaping of Europe. He advocated a political department, in which tho German Government would bo tho whole deciding factor in the Ukraine. -Beuter.

THE PREMIER'S "RESIGNATION." (Bee. Hay 7, 7.45 p.m.) Amsterdam, May (i. It trauspircd that thi- rremior, 'whom Von Payer stated had voluntarily resigned, was arrested by tho Germans.— liculer. GERMAN ROCIALIST PRESS COMMENT. (Rcc. May 7, 7.15 p.m.) Amsterdam, May C. The "Vonvaerls" says that Skoropndski is Iho champion of the big Ukrainian landlords. He received nine voles only in tlio Constituent Assembly election.—Renter. CRITICISM IN AUSTRIA. ■Zurich, May G. Tho "Ai'beiler Zeil.ung" of Vienna (Socialist) condemns the German and Austrian proceedings in Ukraine. It foresees perilous complications, am! says the, Ukrainians are bound lo regard tho A Uβ-tro-Gernian rule as a military regime whoso object is solely the requisitioning of foodstuffs. Thus Kussophilo sentiment will be strengthened,—Reuler. TH E COUNTER-H EVOLUTION RUMOURS. (Ree. May 8, Oio a.m.) London, May 6. M. Litvinoff (Iho Bolshevik representative in London) has received n telegiiim from Moscow stating that (he rumours of a counter-revolution are absurd, and wero probably circulated for political purposes.—A ns.-N.SS. Cnblfl Assn. BOLSHEVIK PROTEST TO AMERICA ALLEGED INTERFERENCB AT ■VLADIVOSTOK. Washington, May G. The State Department has Teceived from tho Russian Soviet Government a protest against the alleged encouragement given by tho American Consul at Vladivostok io tho movement to establish a. ll independent Siberian Government.—Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn.