RUSSIA'S CRISIS.

Hokitika Guardian, 27 December 1917, Page 2

RUSSIA'S CRISIS.

SUSPENDED

AMSTERDAM Dec. 23

The newspaper “Vorwaorts” has been suspended for publishing an article asserting that Militarists seek to annex a largo part of Russian territory.

CONTROL IN RUSSIA

PETROGRAD December 23

The Commissioner crowd of Railway men have taken control of the railways into their own hands and have also abolished all high posts. The commissioner further ordered the stoppage of defensive works on the Russian front, by divisional workmen, and the disbandment of staff.

AN AMBITIOUS PROGRAMME PETROGRAD December 24. llussain delegates presented lsix points at the Brestilovsk Conference, including no forcible acquisition - of territory; the restoration of political independence of the peoples who lost it during the war; self determination of National groups; ho indemnities; private persons to he compensated for war losses from a special fund, which all belligerents will contribute to a proportional basis; the same principles to he applicable to colonies as to parent countries (the last clause prohibits economic boycotts and separate Customs agreements and naval blockades and not purchasing with any direct military object

RUSSIAN TALK. [LONDON TIMES SERVICE COPYRIGHT] PETROGRAD, Doe. 25th. Bolsheviks at Brestlitovsk expounded the principles of the terms at- great length, especially the meaning of annexation and Acquisition against the will of the inhabitants, no matter how expressed. Russia considers it a crime against humanity to prolong the war to enable wealhy nations to victimise the weak. The Germans were apparently silent. Yon Kuhlmann secured an adjournment for the preparation of a reply. ARMISTICE CONDITIONS. BERNE, Dec. 25th. An additional clause in the RussoGerman armistice allows the AusftroGerman delegations to go to Petrograd to re-establish economical and cultural relations. It is reported that Husso-German postal communications are fully restored.

THE; ENEMY’S REPLY. Reuter’s Telegrams AMSTERDAM December 24, The enemy delegations to the Brestlitovsk Conference have unanimously agreed on a basis of reply to the Russian peacq proposals. The reply will be formulated to-morrow. THE PEACE DELEGATES. PROCEEDING S OPENED. AMSTERADM, Dec. 23. Peace negotiations have opened' at Brest-iLitovsk. The numbers • and na'mes of the principal delegates are as follows: —Germany 5, Herr von Ivuhlmann (German Foreign Minister); Austria 8, Count Ottakar Czernin; Bulgaria 5, M. Popoff (Minister of Justice) ; Turkey 4, Vessim Bey (Foriegn Minister); Russia 13, M. Kamineff.. Herr von Kulilmann, who was presiding, emphasised that there could be no question of drawing up an elaborate peace treaty, but only of settling the most important conditions for the speedy re-establishment of peaceful intercourse, especially cultural and economic. He also emphasised that the negotiations must take account of what would he the outcome of a historical conference.

It was decided that the chief representative of each power should preside alternately.

The chief Russian representative stated the ' Russian programme, and the representatives of the other Powers then began the examination of it.

GERMAN AIMS

STOCKHOLM, December 25,

I It. is persistently reported that in I view of the precariousness of the I Bolsheviks’ authority, that Germany I hopes at the earliest opportunity to I thrust out the leadres and substitute a [Germanised Monarchy, or to establish I direct northern control, including Petj rograd. Then after the war, after I economic penetration, they will seek | to enforce authority in Odessa. WITHDRAWAL REQUESTED. I PETR'OGRAD December 25. [ Trotsky instructed the Commander [ of the Russian troops at Harbin to request the withdrawal of foreign troops. | UNRELIABLE REPORTS. f LONDON TIMES SERVICE COPYRIGHT] PARTS December 24. The “Petit Parisen’s” Petrograd correspondent states that the official communiques are increasingly unreliable. The great victories claimed in the south are without foundation. It is safe to assume that the Bolsheviks will stick at nothing to realise their programme through the new self-nomi-nated assembly.

IANOTHER GENERAL LYNCHED

f •Reuter's” TET.EGRAM.'I PETROGRAD, Dee. 21th. A Tashkent message described the horrible lynching of General Korovitelionko by a mob. £ M. Kerensky has appointed General Korovitehenko commander of the troops in Turkestan. TO OPPOSE GENERAL KALEDIN. AMSTERDAM December 24.

A Petrograd telegram from the Maxi malist Press Bureau states that a Caucasian Army of 100,000 strong is marching on General Kaledin’s rear.

THE KAISER AND PEACE

COPENHAGEN December 23.

The “Berliner Zeitung” states thht the Kaiser has intimated that he will 'probably go ,to ' Brostfibovsk if the peace negotiations aro successful. He also favours a gathering of all the European Monarchs and regents, as “everybody wants peace, and all the States must co-operate in solving the problems ahead.’’

AGAINST PEACE.

UKRAINE OPPOSITION.

PETROGRAD December 24

Thirty-one million people in tho Ukraine are solidly opposing Lenin’s separate peace announcement. Tho Ukraine by linking up with General Kaledin with a view to defending the south-western and Roumanian fronts have compelled the Germans to move troops from the northern sectors to meet this new menace. It is reported that the Bolsheviks have sent guards from Petrograd to Moscow against the Ukraine. V GERMANY’S PLANS. [LONDON TIMES SERVICE—COPYRIGHt| ‘STOCKHOLM, December 24. The “National Tidende” states that Herr Lucius, a former German diplomatist f is forming a German Army iff" Petrograd consisting of prisoners of war. A large number of Germans have arrived in Petrograd from the frontier Other Petrograd messages state that Germany intends to re-establish the em pire in Russia. Berlin’s candidate for the Monarchy is the Grand Duke Paul Alexandrovitch, who will enter into an immediate alliance with the German and Austrian Emperors.

RUSSIA’S PEACE PROPOSALS. (Received This Day at 1.20 a.m.) LONDON, Dec. 26th. The Daily News Petrograd correspondent says it is understood that Germans are replying to Russia’s peace demands on Tuesday. Russians demanded.— First—That the conquered territories must he evacuated as soon as possible. Seeond.—'The restoration of political independence of conquered countries. Third—That Nationalities which had not political independence before the war, shall decide the matter by referendum. Fourth—No indemnities. Fifth—Economic boycotts and commercial treaties restricting the freedom of weaker nations is intolerable. A REFUTAL. (Received This Day at L2O a.m.) LONDON, Dec. 26th. The British Ambassador publishes a statement refuting Trotsky’s abusive charges of interference in ifiternabional Russian affairs. He point s out are three Republics in Russia and it is difficult to avoid some misapprehension. FINLAND’S REQUEST. (United Service Telegrams). (Received this day at 12.30 a.m.) LONDON, Dec. 25th.

The Daily Mail’s Petrograd correspondent says it is reported that Finland is ignoring the Bolsheviks, an- has asked Germans at Brestilovsk to recognise her independence. Germans are removing troops from Riga, to the south-west, in readiness to attack Ukraine.'

CHARGE! AGAINST THE RED CROSS. PETROGRAD, December 23. M. Trotzky has declared that documents found on Colonel Kolpashoulkoff after his arrest show that the Red Cross mission assisted General Kaledin’s movements, andftKat Messrs Anderson and Robin tried to furnish Kaledin with motors and other transports, also with money.