IN RUSSIA

Taihape Daily Times, Issue 220, 22 June 1917, Page 2

IN RUSSIA

PEACE IS UNTHINKABLE. COUNT TOLSTOY'S VIEWS. Melbourne, June 7. "A separate peace between Russia and Germany is impossible" was declared three weeks ago by Count Tolstoy, son of the great Russian author, to Mr. R. D- Elliott, a Flindcrslane merchant, whom he met in America. Count Tolstoy told Mr Elliott that if Eussia agreed to a separate peace with Germany the people of Russia would again become slaves to Germany, and that would never be tolerated. Another reason why Russia could not make a separate peace with Germany was the sentiment of the Russia people were driven to sell their, wheat in millions of bushels to Germany at prices ranging from Is to 2s per bushel, and in return got German machinery at exhobitant prices. The honesty of the Russian people would' not permit of a separate peace. The majority were in favour of continuing the war to a victorious issue. Asked whether the workers would favour peace under such conditions Count Tolstoy said that the great majority was against such a suggestion, although there were a few people who would be ready to sign a separate peace to-morrow if they got the opportunity. They, however, were but a small section of one of the five groups of Socialists. Count Tolstoy also said that the vodka trade, which had been carried on by the Government, had corrupted the whole nation, but that it had been regulated the nation was sobering up for the first time. It had been found that the army had been geting munitions and guns from German factories and agents, and the ammunition did not fit the Russian, but German guns. The fielu glasses supplied to the army had no magnifying power. Soldiers had been armed with sticks instead of guns. The greatest aid the traitors had was from the late Czarina. Count Tolstoy showed Mr. Elliott the following cable messages which- had been sent to him in New York from Prince Lvoff: "American public opinion may be sure of the impossibility of a separate peace. Army beyond dispute; also all classes here." From M, Miliukov: "I allow you to state that a separate peace with Germany is unthinkable."