ON THE EAST FRONT.

Hokitika Guardian, 23 March 1918, Page 3

ON THE EAST FRONT.

[per press association.—copyright.]

RUSSIAN NEWS

(Received this day at 1.20 a.m.,) MOSCOW, March 21st. The Foreign Affairs Commissary denies the rumours that the German Commission is controlling the denationalisation of the banks and demanding oxtra territory from the Petrograd Soviet. Government will never agree to such terms It also denies the occupation of Rostoff. Germans are still 180 versts from Kharkoff. Tiie Ukraine Executive have proclaimed martial law at Poltava, .Kharkoff, and Tohorisgoff. A general mobilisation of workers between 18 and 37. has been ordered. Trotsky addressing the Soviet Conference alt Moscow said he believed a general, peace was possible at Russia’s expense. Therefore, Russia must create a strong army. Opposition speakers drew attention to the inconsistency of Trotsky’s advocacy of a now army in view of Lenin’s demand for the ratification of the peace treaty. The speakers urged that the country’s defence he placed in | bhe hands of the Constituent Assembly | adding that the Bolsheviks were powerless to create an army.

LOOKING TQ,PERSIA

f LONDON TIMES 815RVTCE—COPYRIGHT]

LONDON, March 21

Dealing with the situation generally in Asia, the “Times” points out in a leading article that there is a probability that ns soon as the Turks have occupied the Caucasian territories ceded by Russia under the peace treaty, the enemy will invade Persia, and will there strike a blow at the British Mesopotamia line. i The “Times,” continuing, declares that it is not enough that Japan should land on the Asiatic mainland, and try to save Siberia. From the British standpoint the threat against Persia is far more imminent arid deadly. “We must not,” adds the paper, “be caught napping.”

UKRAINE DIFFERENCES

Itoeeivcd. iKs day at 8.45 n.m. PETROGRAD, March 2]. Serious differences have developed between Austria and the Ukraine Rada regarding the. division of territory. Austria demanded portion of the province of Volin.

CAUCASIAN BREAK. /Received. This Dav at P 50. a.m.) PETROGRAD, March 21 Tt is reported the Caucasion governing body has broken off peace negotiations with Turkey. ATTITUDE TO RUSSIA. /Received This Dav at 10.15. a.m.) WASHINGTON, March 21. Th(! State Department announces United States attitude towards Russia is unchanged. America still regards Russia as a co-belligerent, and an ally.