SOVIET RUSSIA

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 130, 26 February 1920, Page 5

SOVIET RUSSIA

ALLIES REFUSE DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS

UNTIL HORRORS ARE ENDED

By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Rcc. February 25, 10.50 p.m.) London, February 21. The Allies havo decided that they aro unable to enter into diplomatic relations with the Soviet until they aro convinced that the Bolshevik horrors have ended and the Government is prepared to conform to the practices of civilised Governments. Meanwhile the Allies aro willing to encourage to thn utmost commerce 'between Russia and Europe. They welcomo the proposal that the Labour Bureau and the League of Nations will send _a commission to examine Eussian conditions.— Aus.-N.Z. Gable Assn. The "Daily Chronicle" states that the Peace Conference has agreed on broad lines on the Russian question,—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

TROTSKY INTERVIEWED NEED OF 1 PEACE FOR RE-ESTAB-LISHMENT. (Rcc. February 25, 9.25 p.m.) New York, February 25. The New York "World's" Moscow correspondent interviewed Trotsky, who said: "Our military successes have not blinded 'us to the need of peace for the re-establishment of economic stability. We have been forced to sacrifice the welfare of our people, and future generations to the desperate need of the hour. We have transformed in the past eighteen months a peace-loving population of workers nnd peasants into an armed camp. Our peace terms, .nevertheless, remain the same. The reconstruction of Russia is a tremendous enterprise, which will require perhaps ten years. Russia's riches are intact-, and the nation which will help us to Rain a peace footing will share the profits resulting from the aid they havo extended us. Foreign capitalists who invest money in Russia will receive material guarantees of an adequate character. It is ridiculous to think that Germany can control Russia and to say .that Germany has a better chance than the Allies in our mai'kets. The fact is wo cannot possibly expect economic assistance from Germany. It is obvious that we must look towards victorious nations such as Britain and the United States for machinery and agriculural implements. Ludicrous lies have been spread that the Red Army is militaristic. It is anti-militaristic. Ninetenths of us are workers, peasants, nnd pacifists; the other tenth are soldiers nnd officers who served under the Tsar. Immediate demobilisation is obligatory with ms as soon as hostilities against us cease. The ivorkers and peasants will insist on returning to factories and farms, and oiako Russia a fit land to live in. From tier guards c will then only be maintained. Tliero will also be some form of military training for the working classes in order that thev mnv be always able.to defend themselves against the bour-geoisie."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

GERMANY'S LOST PROVINCES SINISTER PLAN TO RECONQUER THEM. (Eec. February 25, 11.5 p.m.) Copenhagen, February 21. LitvinofF asserts that Germany is entertaining a plan to involve Poland in war with Soviet Russia, with a view to taking the opportunity to reconquer tlio lost eastern piovinces.—Renter. revolmojlaTmijrmansk BRITISH AND BELGIAN OFFICERS REACH VARDO. London, February 24. Thfl Russian steamer Lamondsoft, with two British and four Belgian officers in charge, has arrived at Ynrdo, Norway, from Murmansk. They state that a revolution broko out in Murmansk on Saturday, and the Bolsheviks seized the town and shipping except the Lamondsoff. which escaped under fire. The steamer was riddled by machine-gun fire, and the cantain was badly wounded — Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

SOVIET ARMY' IN. IRKUTSK ARMISTICE CONCLUDED WITH CZECHS. (Rec. February 25, 11.5 p.m.) London,' February 25. A Vladivostok message, dated February 12, states that tho Soviet army defeated* G&iieral Kappel and entered IrkuUV nnd cono'uded nn armistice with tho A terrible dynamite explosion occurred at AchTnslc. Several trains at the station were wrecked, There were many Polish and Russian victims.—Renter. FIGHT FOR ROSTOV London, February 24. The War Office announces that the Volunteer Army on February 20 recaptured Rostov and took fifteen- hundred prisoners, twenty guns, and a quantity of war material—Aus.-N.is. Cable Assu.Reuter. (Rec. February 25,11.5 p.m.) London, February 24. - A Moscow wireless message states that tho Bolsheviks have recaptured Rostov, after two davs' street fighting, and drovethe enemy across tho Don.—"The Times.'