RUSSIA'S CRISIS.

Hokitika Guardian, 31 December 1917, Page 3

RUSSIA'S CRISIS.

SOVIET confiscation. PJJTROGEAO, December 29. > The German fleet on the Russian coast is returning to Kiel and Danzig The Central Executive of the S<>\ let •has decreed the nationalisation ol private banks, and gold coni and bullion will be confiscated. The nuddkclass savings will be safeguarded. Finland has refused to acknowledge .the Bolshevik Government and 'Uj only accept the Consituent Assembly s decision. It states that it is prepared to face the war. THE HARBIN incident

new YORK, December 28. In advices from Tolcm it is officially stated that two hours’ street fighting in Harbin i proceeded the surrender o of 2500 Bolsheviks. The Chinese captured a considerable quanity of arms and munitions. They intervened to end the continuous factional strife. RUSSIA’S PEACE PROPOSALS. TROTSKY’ ADDRESS. [AUSTRALIAN & N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION]

PETROGRAD December 29. Trotsky addressing the Soviet Executive ‘said 'that Russia will insist that self-government will apply to territories and colonies seized, in the war. Alsace and Lorraine, and the German colonies must be given their choico, seeing that Germany had declared her readiness to free the occupied territories, the Allies cannot refuse to negotiate and they must clearly state their programme; iHe proposed officially to ask whether the Allies intended to support the Russian or the German peace proposals, or to propse an alternative. Unless .the Allies join in ; the negotiations within ten days, Russia will be force,] to conclude a separate peace. The “'Daily News’’ Petrograd oorresponden stated that Russia’s reply to the Central Powers referring to small nationalities, says: The war. cannot finish unless we scorned the rights oi these nations and restored the Russians. The delegation insists that these nations shall receive flhe text ol the peace treaty and a guarantee that lawful rights he guarded. The “Daily News” adds: We cannot help being struck with the man ner in which the Russians maintained their demand for no annexations. It seems that the Central Pom ei s are prepared to begin negotiations Certainly the Russians are astonished at the enemy’s terms and few dreamed that such a thing could happen . If tho Bolsheviks convene a Constituent Assembly, we feel sure that they w"l have Russia solidly behind them..