RUSSIAN CRISIS.

Taihape Daily Times, 15 December 1917, Page 5

RUSSIAN CRISIS.

FIGKL- •• IN RUSSIA,

GREAT LOSSES REPORTED

TO COSSACKS AND BOLSHEVIKS.

LONDON, December 13

Fighting is reported at various places, including Rostoff, where General is opposing the Maximalists, who are* said to be supported by a detachment of the Black Sea Fleet. Fierce fighting is reported, continuing at Bielgrad, with great losses on both sides. EXCHANGE OF PRISONERS. GERMAN CIVILIANS FOR RUSSIAN OFFICERS. Received 8.35. STOCKHOLM, Dec. 14. Russian authorities, it is stated have released all German civilians for 4,000 Russian officers imprisoned in Germany. RUSSIAN REVOLUTIONARY REPORT DETERMINED PRO-GERMAN PROCEDURE Received 10.10 PETROGRAD, December 14 ■ The Revolutionary Government telegraphs that Maximalist troops occupied Taurarouka and aluga. They have distarmed and arrested Korniloff s shock troops and restored revolutionary authority. i The commissioner of the Black Sea Fleet, telegraphed asking for the immediate despatch of all Black Sea detachments, with numerous machine guns. He says military cadets are tacking Rostoff with armoured cars. The commissioner of fhe Fifth Army has announced the arrival of Krylancks at Dvinsk, and adds that the committee of the Fifth Army has undertaken to arrange an armistice along its front. General Balyriff, commander of .the army, was arresfeU and dismissed. The Soviet at Moscow" seized the works of the newsjaper Russkoe Slavo for publishing a rumour that Krylenck's seizure of the general staff and headquarters was carried out at the instance of .the German headquarters.

Trotsky has announced that if an armistice is signed at Brest ETtivsk commissioners will be empowered' to enter negotiations for peace.

MEETING OF CONSTITUENT AS SEMBLY

A HOTXOW FAROE

LONDON, December 13

The Daily Chronicle's Petrograd correspondent describes the opening of the, constituent Assembly in the Tauride Palace~ou'"Tuesday. Shops were closed, flags waving and pr.ocesisons marching in Vie streets. There were many meetings, and speechifying took place outside the Palace, where workmen and soldiers assembled. The doors were guarded by soldiers with machine guns. After rebuffs, says the correspondent, journalists reached tie Chamber, but the Assembly, where was it. We saw a little group at the foot of the speaker's tribune—about 50, instead of 760. The group included Cadets, but no Bolsheviks. The members held a little meeting, their voice's sounding like whispers in the empty hall. It was decided to meet daily until a quorum is present. Wednesday's sitting was even more saddening. Only forty were present. The key to the &Kvjrtipn is the prevalent belief that an inti-Bolshevik insurrection., is TrnJnent in Petrograd. Lenin is taking drastic measures to prevent it, tffid has ordered the arrest of the leaders of the Cadets. Trotsky states that the arrest only means saving them from being lynched.

It is generally- stated that the Bolsheviks favour a Constitutional monarchy. It is believed .they~aTe negotiating with the Romanoffs. Lenin and others treated the Grand Duke Paul Alexandrovitch with the utmost respect during his recent visit to the Bolshevik headquarters.

HIGH HANDED ACTIONS PETROGTRATST 133 S 13. Mr Bourchier wires: The delegates of the Constituent Assembly, under the presidency of a major, decided that there was a sufficient quorum present, ignored the decrees which virtually established the Assembly, and declared three arrested members free on the ground that their members ship gave them immunity. They formed committees and decided to meet daily The Leninites appear reluctant to use force, in view of the unfavourable effect it would have on the peasantry.