RUSSIA.

Taihape Daily Times, 23 November 1917, Page 5

RUSSIA.

V THE POSITION IN RUSSIA.

PEOPLE OPPOSE BOLSHEVIKS.

Eeceived 8.35. LONDON, November 22. Great events are impending in Fin- "• land. The Socialists bourgeois and other parties have joined in a compromise directed against the Russians and fighting is expected momentarily. The Daily Chronicle's Petrograd correspondent says Lenin has issued a proclamation to peasants and -workers asserting that the Government is now in his hands. He has ordered Local Peasants Councils to Sake over all . estates immediately, and hold thiem pending the preparation of a scheme for partition. The correspondent denies that the majority of the people support the Bolshevik's Government, which is very weak and only controls armed forces while all Socialist parties and practically the whole of the people oppose it~ •-■■ - '-' ) A prominent Bolshevik pessimist believes the Government is doomed to 9 -fall. The . correspondent, adds, it is absurd to regard Lenin as a mere German agent, but his fanaticism. is if .. such that he would go to any lengths to achieve his ends. He would gladly accept German money and offers for the purpose of effecting a social revolution. The money for himself would not tempt Lenin, whose only aim is the forcible establishment of socialism.

,HOW BOLSHEVIKS SUCCEEDED.. - RELEASED ATJSTRO-GEEMAN PBISONEBS. ——— ■ -■ j ~»,. COPENHAGEN, Nov. 22. Several Petrograd newspapers expose the Bolsheviks cruelties and affirm that released Austro-Gcrmans assisted the Bolsheviks in fighting against Ker.ensky troops. A .Commission investigated the treatment of Cadets imprisoned in the fort rcss of Peter and Paul. They found that they had received no food .or ■water for 40 hov:rs. The bodies of 20 Cadets, some deeapitated, were found in neighbouring canals. The Commission was not permitted to visit the cells of the Women's Battalion, owing to the fact that the women were subjected to every possible cruelty. AN ARMISTICE PROPOSED V LONDON ,November 22. Wireless Russian official: The AllRussia Congress of Workmen's and Soldiers' Delegates ordered the Council of People's Commissionaires to assume power and offer all belligerents an armistice, for the purpose of bringing about pourparlers for a democratic peace. This offer is firmly established in all important districts of the country. A draft message to ffils * effect has already been communicated to the Allied plenipotentiaries in Russia. Meanwhile the council has ordered the Commander-in-Chief to forthwith offer the enemy commanders an armistice for the purpose of peace and to keep the council informed telegraphically of the progress of the pourparlers and to sign a preliminary act only after the council approves. The communique was signed by Lenin (President of the Council), and Trotsky (Minister of Foreign Af- I fairs), and three others. ; - ANOTHER CONTRADICTION LONDON ,November 22. jL A Petrograd wireless message reimports that all the armies at the front refuse to recognise the new Government. Kaladin's march on the capital continues.