THE RUSSIAN MIX UP.

Hokitika Guardian, 22 February 1918, Page 2

THE RUSSIAN MIX UP.

RUSSIA’S OFFER. TADMIRALTY—PER WIRELESS PRESS.] (Received this day at 12.30 a.m.) LONDON, Feb. 20. Russian official.—Germany has acknowledged receipt of the Russian peace offer. v GERMAN REPORT. OF RUSSIAN APPEAL. |AUSTRALIAN & N.Z. CABLE ASSOCHTf IN & REUTER.] AMSTERDAM February 20.

Von Kuhlmann, addressing the Reichstag Committee said, Russian appeals for help are daily more numerous and urgent . ‘

Germany could-not tolerate the destruction of young Finland, the outrages in "Lithuania and Estlionia, nor permit the Bolsheviks to carry out threats against the Ukraine. /*

Tlie cession of Kholm has created a |>ad impression; hut it was the only decision possible without blocking peace with the Ukraine. The Austrian Premier had declared that Kholm would not be ceded to the. Ukraine, hut a Suixed commission of ( Poles and Ukrainians would consider the matter ethnogrnphically. and. if necessary the boundaries would he removed eastwards ’ •'

TEE POLISH OUTCRY. • (Received. Tim, I lav at 8.50. a.m.) LONDON, Feb: 21. Newspaper ' comments on the Polish outcry, suggest that Germany would welcome an Austro-Polisli enbroilmeiit. Austrian and German interest in Poland have always been antagonistic.

Germany now wishes to conyey the ini pression in Poland that she is reluctant to cede Kholm, thus throwing odinn: on Austria. , .

Germany, at the saire time, really welcomes the opportunity to develop her eastern schemes beyond the Black Sea. ..The cession of Kholm would enable her to pl(iv the part of Ukraine’? friend and ally. .< ~ The “Manchester Guardian” says i f is now probable that Lord Derby will persist• in his resignation. It is likely that Hon. Lloyd George will assume the duties of War Minister temporarily. ' \ ■

A SWISS APPEAL. (Received, Tliis Day at 8.50. a;m.) BERNE, Feb. 21. Advices state that since the B.olsh • viks advent to Petrograd all rend ■tances to Switzerland have stopped, hence many thousand of Russians ir Switzerland are destitute. Swiss hotelkeepers and others have allowed them to continue to lodge and board on credit. The Swiss Government now ap peals to the, Bolsheviks to acknowledge the generous hospitality,- by a‘ remittance covering the Russians liabilities, aggregating twenty million francs.-

AN OMINOUS STATEMENT. ‘ • AMSTERDAM February 20. Von Kuhlmann in the Reichstag said the new war mgainet 'Russia , will strengthen the Bolsheviks inclinations 'towards peace. Germany no longer believed in Russia’s professions and must consequently enforce order and peace in the occupied regions. Even t o-dqy we are willing to conclude' peace • corresponding to our own particular interests. The decisive factor in the Ukraine peace was the valuable economic advantages Germany could gain during 1918.

STATE BANK ROBBED. ' LONDON February 20.1. It is reported from Helsingfors that all. money of the State Bank "has been stolen and sent to Petrograd for the purchase of arms and provisions- Tip Russians systematically, loot the homes of all residents not favouring the revolution. Resistors are ?h"ot. - The Red Guards continue killing and "stripping war prisoners and many naked corpses are found. The Russian press states that the Bolshevik will assume freedom of , ■ action towards British residents in Russia if’the British Government withholds its official acknowledgement .of Lituvinoff' They also threaten energetic repressive - measures...of British, and Americans ' unless the pressure causing the closing of the Mancln border is removed.

; THE EX-CZAR. PETROGRAD February 20. A group of Grand Dukes and Duchesses have petitioned the Bolshevik Government to permit the ex-Ozar and family to refuge in' France or England.

• A TWO- DAYS FIGHT. PETROGRAD February 20. In a two days fight at Odessa hebetween the Ukrainians and Bolsheviks Ukrainian aeroplanes and ships bombarded, and fired over fi,ve hundred shells on:the town, inflicting many casualties. , ' •

INVASION, OF THE UKRAINE. , AMSTERDAM February 20. A semi-official Austrian statement evident] v intended to justify the invasion of the Ukraine, savs the revolt m the Ukraine’ is purely a political pretext for the Bolshevik marauders who are plundering murdering, and burning many, utilising armed motors, and arm oared trains. Their swiftness hitherto prevented the Rada troops from coping with the marauders and the immediate action of the Central Powers'was im, perative.

" PRE-AVAR, FRONT RESTORED. LONDON February 20. Vienna official:—ln accordance with the provisions of the Ukraine peace [Treaty,, thy Austro-Russian pre-war frontier is now completely restored.

KUHLMANN’S EXPLANATION. OF TREATY MOVES. (Received This Dav at 10.15. a in7] LONDON, Feb. 21.

Herr Kuhlmann, referring to the economic treaty with Ukraine, said special arrangements’would enable the transportation of huge supplies from Ukraine, whereof we would have the advantage during the present year. During the discussion Westarp, a 1 Oonservative, expressed his immixed joy at peace. He advised the greatest reserve in dealing with Kholm.

' Kuhlmann, replying to questions, said the representatives of Ukraine and Poland had not conferred before the settlement owing to the rapid conclusion of peace.

The Bolshevik attack op Ukraine, in proved the existence of food sup. plies. The delegations anticipated that the Poles * would gravely question the. cession of Kohlm,- hut it was essential to make peace speedily. Controversial questions' could only result in uncertainty. •,

Trotsky’s position to the Rada only arose when he realised the Rada was conducting a Ukrainian, and not the great Russian policy.

OFFENSIVE CONTINUES. (Received This Day at 9.50. a,in.) ■ . PETROGRAD February 20. The German offensive continues in the direction of Vitebsk, Molodetschno and Minsk. It is believed that Russitcha has already fallen.

RUSSIA’S EFFORTS. NEW YORK, Feb. 21. A United Press message from Petrogr:id states the authorities have 'ordered the stopping of the demobilisation of the Russian Army and Navy, and also ordered troops to resist the Gcr-i man advance- Preparations are being made to defend Petrograd. '

. PETROGRAD’S FATE. , (Received This Dav at 10.15. a.m.) PETROGRAD, Feb..2l. Headquarters expresses the "opinion that if-the German northern advance continues the fate of Petrograd will he decided within a ■fortnight.*'