RUSSIA’S CRISIS.

Hokitika Guardian, 7 January 1918, Page 2

RUSSIA’S CRISIS.

GERMAN .(PEACE AIAIS.

DENOUNCED BY RUSSIANS

[PER PRESS ASSOCIATION. —COPYRIGHT.]

LONDON January 4

The “Daily News” Petrograd correspondent states on AVednesday Ransome presided at Smolny Institute near near Kanonff. Te great white ball was crowded. A few knew what negotiations were already stopped. Kanonoff road reports showing that Germany had tried to hind Russia to herself by a renewal of the 1904 treaty the Czar’s refusal to renew which was one of the causes of the war. Germany made several alternative proposals with the object of securing^for herself the position of most favoiired Ration. Russians replied that they favoured equality of trade, and could not whilst socialising industry and nationalising hanks, subscribe to principles contrary to socialism. - ' The Germans then seem to have climbed down. Germany disclosed an intention under pretext of a self definition, to retain Poland and Lithuania. Kameneff said if Germany now moves troops against revolutionary Russia, it is evident her purpose will be the final enslavement of. Poland and Lithuania This would instantly caused an explosion which would destroy German Imperialism. The soldier delegates then described the appalling conditions of the Army hut affirmed they would continue the war. the conditions unless the Germans agree -to a democratic peace. A resolution was carried denouncing the forcing the will of strangers upon the People of Poland, Lithuania and

Courhand and appealing to the peoples of tbo Central Powers to use pressure on their Governments to ensure a policy of no annexations and no in demnities

A RUMOUR CONTRADICTED. '’Renter’s Telegrams.! LONDON January 5. The “Daily [Telegraph” yesterday reports ,de facto, that the rumour that recognition will probably he accorded to the Bolshevik usurpers and the Lithv.inoff is baseless. ORDER. RESTORED. I “REUTER’s” TELEGRAM.] PEKIN January 4. A telegram from Harbin states that order has ,geen restored along the Chinese eastern railway, where the Maximalists have surrendered. A thousand Chinese troops have arrived at the Manchurian station. CHANGE OF RELATIONSPETROGRAD Jnuary 5. Political circles," despite official explanations, interpret Sir R.. Buchanan - s departure as heralding a change in British relations with Russia. FINLAND RECOGNISED. .STOCKHOLM, January 4. The Swedish Government has recognised Finland as a free Independent State. PEACE NEGOTIATIONS. I AUSTRALIAN & N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION] PETROGRAD January 4. The Chairman of the Russian Peace Delegation is optimistic regarding the future of 'the negotiations. lie believes that Germany will make further overtures. If the Allies will not participate in the conference, Russia will conduct negotiations on the scale of a general peace. '

CRITICISED. AMSTERDAM January 4. The “Frankfurter Zeitung’s” Berlin correspondent says the Crown Council subjected the results of the Brest T.itovsk • negotiations to serve criticism, whereupon the lines for the German representatives will bo settled by the Kaiser Hindenburg and ITertling.

GERMANY'S POSITION,

fAUSTRALIAN Sr N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION

& BF.UTFTt.]

AMSTERDAM. Jan. oth

In the Reichstag, (the Chancellor stated that Germany rejected the Russian proposal to transfer negotiations to Stockholm. Regarding (Russia’s declaration, Germany could not accept the terms regarding the exacuation of territories, and a plebiscite on the same. “AYe can.” he said, “cheerfully rely upon our strong position.” [ The Chancelldr confirmed tihe in, tent-ion to negotiate with the Ukraino Plenipotentiaries. A PROMISE. [•‘KKH'EJtV’ TEMCGRAM.] PETROGRAD, .Tan 4. The People’s Commissioners promise that they will not war against the Ukraine if the Ukraine allows the Maximalists to attack Kaledin. COSSACKS SUCCESS. PETROGRAD, Jan. 4th. Reports from Sou thorn Russia show that the RnPhoyiks entirely failed. The Cossacks and Ukrainians continue advancing. GERMANY’S TERMS. Reuter’s Telegrams PETROGRAD. Jan. 4. Germany’s peace terms include aclause providing for mutual “most favoured nation” treatment as regards trade and navigation for twenty years. Nevertheless each party reserves to itself the right of making specially intimatal commercial agreements for instance, as between Austria and Germany, or between Russia' and neighbouring Asiatic countires, or independent States formed out of Russia. ,

A CONSENT. BERNE, Jan. 4th. . The Central Powers have consented to Poland and the Ukraine being ’repre* sented at Brest Litovsk. RUSSIA’S RULERS. LONDON January 4. The “Daily Chronice’s” Petrograd correspondent saw s the German delevV gation here admit that they only realised the state of affairs on their arrival They imagined that the Bolsheviks were the real Government. AVhen they found that all educated Russians and the whole of the territories opposed the Bolsheviks they 'declared it impossible to conclude a peace with these people. The Bolsheviks will probably summon the Constituent Assembly and ,ijmpose on it the responsibility for the conclusion of peace. \RUSSIAN RELEASED.

TchechSrin Petroff, whose release Trotsky demanded, has left St. Paneras for Russia.

After leaving Brixton prison Tchecherin had a long interview with Mr. Henderson, who explained the views of the Labour Party. There was a demonstration as the* t'ain steamed out, and the Russian Internationale was sung. A NEW GERMAN THREAT. (Reuter’s Telegram.) AMSTERDAM January 4. In the Reichstag, the Chancellor announced that von Dembussche, Un-der-Secretary for Foreign Affairs, would report upon the peace negotia- <4. tions, whereafter the .Government and the Reichstag, would confidentially discuss them, and- make weighty and fateful decisions. The speech gives no details and only a brief report of the discussion is permitted (Containing a declaration by the Centre deputy that the present constitutional bodies in Conrland, Poland and Lithuania were fully entitled to express the people’s will as , regards the destiny of these territories There was some mild Socialist criticism.