RUSSIA.

Taihape Daily Times, 29 November 1917, Page 5

RUSSIA.

CONDITIONS IN FINLAND SCANDINAVIAN INTERVENTION PROPOSED Received 8.35 November 28 Local newspapers suggest a joint Scandinavian intervention in Finland on humitarian grounds. CONSTITUENT ASSEMBLY ONLY HALF PETROGRAD, VOTES. A BOLSHEVIK MAJORITY. Received 9.55. PETROGRAD, Nov. 28. About half the Petrograd votes were polled in the Constituent Assembly elections, which close to-day. Bolsheviks undoubtedly will have an overwhelming majority in Petrograd as the'garrison sides wuu the the Customs. General Balueff, commanding the western front has been superseded for refusing to negotiate an armistice. The Bolsheviks announce the control of Tashkent after four days’ fighting. Trotzky dismissed, without pensions, two assistant Foreign Ministers and thirty officials for refusing to submit, to Bolshevik authority. A RUSSIAN ARMISTICE. GERMANS AND BOLSHEVIKS AGREE. Received 8.35. NEW YORK, Nov 28. Germans have agreed to Bolsheviks overtures for a general armistice. BRITISH AMBASSADOR THREATENED. i 'I TROTSKY HINTS AT REPRISALS. Received 8.35 PETROGRAD, November 28

Trotsky *has written to the British •Ambassador demanding the release of two Rusians arrested in apparently interned. He hints at reprisals.

BOLSHEVIK ELECTION RUNNING THE BETTER CLASSES ARE THREATENED. FOR THEIR PASSIVE RESISTANCE Received 8.35 LONDON, November 28. The Morning Post’s Petrograd correspondent says the Bolslieviks alone enjoy facilities for propaganda in connection with the elections. They have rigorously suppressed tjlie literature of other parties. A Bolshevik’s an--1 nouncement threatens the better classes with terrible reprisals, including deprivafion of the food allowance, because of their passive resistance to the new Government. DEFINITE DESTRUCTION RUSSIA. LONDON, November 28. The “Daily Chronicle’s” Haparauda correspondent states that the nonBolshevik Socialists, the mooerates of the Committees of Safety, have issued a proclamation declaring that in view of the Allies’ repudiation of the Bolsheviks, the peace decree means the definite destruction of Russia, which will be forced to pay the Kaiser a peace grant of whatever territory and \lfoney he claims. According to the “Nova Yashiza,” Alexieff has summonded Theretelli, Tchernoff, Auskentiff, and Admiral Vernhovsky to headquarters, for the purpose of forming a new Government Lenin and Trotsky have appealed to the army’s committees to arrest them unless they leave headquarters. f ' ' /

more contradictions. PETRORAD, November 28. The polling for the Constituent Assembly elections is proceeding without excitement. The various parties are appealing to citizens to bring womenfolk to the poll. The Bolsheviks have rc-staffcd the telegraphs and telephones with uneducated assistants. The result is the wildest confusion. Lenin announced that the city is ensured against famine by the arrival of a grain-ship in the Neva.

THE SITUATION CRITICAL. — e LONDON, November 27. The “ Daily Chroncile’s” Petrograd correspondent states that the situation in Finland is critical. The new Diet, with a small anti-Socialist majority, refused the Socialists’ demand for the immediate confirmation of Bills adopted by the previous Socialist Diet, including the Independence Bill, which led to the Socialist Diet’s disolution by the Russian Government in August. The Socialists decided to apply force and declared a general strike. They organised the “Red Guard” of workmen and secured arms from the Russian 'garrison and fleet. The strike has become a revolution. The middle classes have organised a White Guard of students and others who support the police. The Red Guard seized Government buildings, and arrested a large number of officials, police and prominent citizens. Under the pretence of a search, they broke into houses and robbed and murdered. Troughout the. country skirmishes between the Red and White Guards resulted in many being killed and wounded.

After four days, the Diet yielded and adopted the Independence Bill, giving the Diet supreme power, instead of the Russian authorities. The Government resigned. The GovernorGeneral had previously resigned. The garrison and fleet elected a sailor Governor-General. A number of inj* prisoned citizens have been released, but the Red Guard continue robbing and murdering. All Non-Socialist parties in Finland asked the commander of the Baltic fleet for assistance in repressing blood shed by armed gangs. The commander replied that application must be made to the Soldiers’ Council. CADETS CONDEMN BOLSHEVIKS.. LONDON, November 27. The “Daily Chronicle’s” Petrograd correspondent states that the Cadets on Sunday resolved upon acclaiming the British victory and expressing firm confidence in all the Allies. They realise how crimiiaol the Bolshevik adventure is and regard with contempt the usurpers’ pretentions to speak in the name of Russia. ( GERMAN STAFF OFFICERS IN PETROGRAD. LONDON, November 27. It is officially stated in London that the British Government has received information that a number of German staff officers are now in Petrograd.

COAL EXPORT PROHIBITED Received 11.25 November 28. An Order-in-Council prohibits the export of coal from 7th December to all British destinations abroad unless under license.