RUSSIA’S CRISIS.

Hokitika Guardian, 26 November 1917, Page 2

RUSSIA’S CRISIS.

REDUCING RUSSIAN ARMIES. r ADMIRALTY —TEH WUSELESS PRESS.] LONDf" Nov. 23rd. Russian officialA decree signed by Lenin states it has been decided to reduce the armies, by releasing immediately citizen soldiers conscripted in 1890. Instructions concerning other classes will be issued later. /' COMMANDER-IN CHIEF DEPOSED. f AUSTRALIAN & N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION] LONDON, Nov. 22. A wireless Russian official message states: —The Council of People’s Commissaries, in the name of the Government of the Russian Republic, has^ deposed General Dukhonin, owing to liis refusal to offer an armistice and has appointed General Krylenko as Commander-in-Chief. The Council urges soldiers to arrest tho counter-revolutionary generals, preventing, lynch law, which action is declared unworthy of the revolutionary army. The Council has invited the regiments at the front to elect plenipotentiaries to immediately begin peace pourparlers with enemy.

RUSSIANS EVACUATING. fAUSTRALIAN & N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION] AMSTERDAM, Nov. 24. A telegram from Tarnopol announces that the Russians are preparing o evacuate Graymalow and Skalat m- the east. The Galicia advanced position is already evacuated. RUSSIAN STARVATION.

[LONDON TIMES SERVICE—COPYIUOHt] LONDON, ov. 23. 'M. Bourchier, writing from Retrograd states that the prospects of starvation on the northern front arc intensifying. The troops are exhausted and disgusted with the political quaile and the lack of clothing. They threaten wholesale desertions unless reinforced. THE PEACE MOVE. AMSTERDAM, Nov. 24. In connection with the Russian truce offer, General Ludondorff and m s numerous staff have gone astern from all secrecy. The Petrograd Allied Legations refuse to accept the new regime. _ The Bolsheviks refuse to sign the diplomats' passports. The Bolshevik Government announces that .it intends to stop the entire goods traffic in Russia. THE POSITION REVIEWED. KALEDIN ONLY RAY OF HOPE. LONDON, Nov. 23. Lord Robert Cecil, in an interview, said if the Russian people support the Leninite peace proclamation it will be an act of tho basest treachery. It is undoubtedly inspired by the Germans. The one ray of hope was Kaledin s action; but nothing wa s heard from him lately. The counter-revolution is the work ot a small section of fanatics, and does not receive the support of the Socialist ma-

jority. The result' of the [Bolshevik manifesto will be the stoppage of American supplies.

RUSSIA ALMOST AN ENEMY

WASHINGTON, Nov. 24.

The Bolshevik’s move is regarded in official circles as placing Russia almost in the list of unfriendly nations. It is pointed out that, should peace negotiations, succeed, it null ho difficult, with Russia as neutral.

SPEECH BY TROTSKY. LONDON, Nov.'24. The “Daily Chronicle’s” Petrograd correspondent states:—M. Trotsky, addressing the Soviet Executive, said the Soviet’s power was now established in Petrograd, Moscow, and the greater part of Russia. He declared he now possesses the secret treaties which he will thrown in the rubbish-heaps. At the conference at tho Army Headquai ters he insisted upon the formation of a coalition* Socialist Government, with M. Tchernoff as Premier.

REPUDIATES SEPARATE PEACE: NEW YORK, Nov. 24. Messages from Petrograd cover an interview with M. Trozky, who repudiates a separate peace, and said Russia wanted a universal peace: Tf the Allied Governments failed to support a democratic peace the Allied . peoples ■would. Our International policy was calculated to gain the support of the masses. If Germany refuses to negotiate, we pin our hope, to the German Army and working men to end the war." If we receive no response, we shall declare a revolutionary war against German. Imperialism and mobilise all forces, confiscate large food supplies, and prosecute the war with relentless energy; hut we are confident that our proposals will create impossibilities against the continuance of war Only the bourgeoise oppose. the Maximalist Government, and the Intellectuals are hesitating. RUSSIA’S QUAGMIRE (United Service Telegrams.) fßeceived This pt llYfi. a.m.) LONDON, Nov. 20.

The “Observers’” Petrograd correspondent says the political quagmire of armed opposition i s apparently finished The people arc waning in hope of the Bolsheviks. The last to leave were the Socialists left wing, Internationalists and Menshviks Lenin’s position is complicated by a lack of funds. The soldiers are refusing to break into the banks, wherein the peasants' savings are lying. The latest decree is tn c Nationalists advertisements which are restricted to government, to organise re venue going to the government. Another confiscates rich people’s warm clothing. ~. , The Provinces continue to estamisn independent Governments.

GERMAN CONDITIONS. RUSSIANS TO RETIRE. (Received Thislvv at 11.25. a.m.) PETROGRAD, Nov. 2oth. The Germans preliminary conditions for entering into peace pour-parlers, in eludes the withdrawal of the Russian troops for a hundred kilometres (about 6 miles), the Germans retaining present positions. RESIGNED. 1

(Received This Dav at 10.15. a.m.) WASHINGTON, Nov. 26. Three members of the Russian Embassy have resigned, refusing t° act with the Bolsheviks Ambassador Bakemetieff remains at his po£l. Mr Gompers has been re-elected President of the Labour Federation. BOLSHEVIKS REPUDIATED. i* (Received This Day at 9.15 a.m.) WASHINGTON November 25. Baknitieff conferred with Mr. Lansing and officially repudiated the Bolsheviks. Mr Lansing assured him that United States ignores the _ Bolshevik and considered it certain that all the Allies would refuse to recognise them. He believed the Entente contemplated measures to hinder Maximalists an Moderate Conservatives directing supplies in the latteFa hands to starving Bolsheviks.

A VEILED THREAT

('Received This Day at 9.30. a.m.) WASHINGTON November 25.

It is understood that should Russia conclude 'a separate peace violating tho London Treaty, she invites serious consequences. The officials have not lost confidence that .some intelligent elements will reconstruct a recognisable Government to replace Russia among the Allies. INTERNAL FIGHTING. (Received This Day at 9.15 a.m.) COPENHAGEN November 25. The “National Tidende’s’’ Berlin correspondent says fighting between Bolsheviks and General Kaledin has already begun. A CALM AT PETROGRAD. Received, tftis day at 8.45 a.m. STOCKHOLM November 25. ; The “Dagblad” states that all is calm | at Petrograd. j The theatrc s have reopened and the j restaurants arc crowded. All goods j intended for Russia have been stopped j at Haparanda and are being sent back, j MESSAGE FROM KERENSKY. (■Received. This Pa.v at 8.50. n.niA COPENHAGEN November 25. Tho “Politiken’s” Christiania correspondent states Soskill, Kerensky’s private secretary is the bearer of Kerensky’s message to England. He is saie making plans for the immediate future Soskill declared- the Bolsheviks had undoubtedly negotiated with the German Government to attain power. He adds that- Germany cannot make peace, with Petrograd and Moscow. These do mot represent Russia. General Kaledin meanwhile is in power in middle Russia.