RUSSIAN CRISIS.

Taihape Daily Times, 24 December 1917, Page 5

RUSSIAN CRISIS.

LENIN’S PLOTTING. WITH GERMAN TRUCE-MAKERS. AMSTERDAM, Dec 21. Dutch information reveals that Germans and Lenin conspired to fool the Russians, delaying the armistice .negotiations till every division and battery intended for the West front was set in motion before Germany signec the order taking advantage of the clause permitting the completion of the movements commenced. DISORDER IN PETROGRAD. A THREAT TO LOOTERS. LONDON, Dec 21. The Daily Chronicle’s Petrograd correspondent says that Drunkenness and disorderliness continue in Petr.ograd, which is in a state of siege. The Soviet has prohibited open-air meetings, and has threatened to ma-chine-gun looters without warning. An important Foreign Office official informed the correspondent that the distribution of peace propaganda literature on the front was proceeding on a large "scale, greatly influencing the German troops. Whatever the outcome of the negotiations, the German army was unwilling to continue fighting. , t

ANTI-BOLSHEVIK SUCCESSES UKRANIA AND ROUMANIA UNITED. FROM ONE SOLID FRONT. Received 8.50. PETROGRAD, Dec 22. The newspaper “Pravada” states that Ukranian troops have occupied headquarters, and all staffs on the Roumanian or south-western fronts are seizing the telegraph and wireless plant. The two fronts are now united into a single Ukranian front, whereof Tcherbatcheff is Commander-in-Chief. PETROGRAD IN A STATE OF SEIGE WIDESPREAD DRUNKENNESS LONDON, December 22. The Morning Posts correspondent states that Petrograd is in a state of seige, due to the rapidly increasing demoralisation and widespread drunkenness. The mob are seeking every possible hiding place -of intoxicating liquor. Even soldiers sent to restore order join in the debauch. Dissensions between the soldiers and the Red Guards arc increasing, the soldiers demanding that the Red Guard receive ordinary soldiers’ pay instead of 60 roubles daily. German and Austrian officers who were prisoners of war often officer the Bolshevik forces. It is reported that two army corps, composed of prisoners of war are within striking distance of Petrograd.

CIVIL WAR AREA INCREASING. LONDON, December 22. Mr BcnircMer writes: The civil war area in South. Russia is extending. The Rada, after rejecting the ultimatum, ordered the total mobilisation of forces. It is now stated that these will join Tcherbatchef f's Russians from the Roumanian front, concentratinging between Goniel and Bakhamach, while the Bolsheviks are massing at Micna stsation. The railway tracks have been torn up in many places. Fighting near Voloehisk resulted in the defeat of the Bolsheviks. On the other hand the Bolsheviks were victorious near Pro'skuroff and occupied the town.

The Rada forces control Odessa.', which is now governed fgrom Kieff.

Dutroff has mobilised all the Ural Cossacks and despatched them against Cheliabiusk. A large force of Khirgiz, Kalmuk and Bashkir Cossacks is advancing towards Uff.

ANOTHER REVOLUTION EX' PECTED

COPENHAGEN, December 22

Private messages from Finland indicate that the Bolshevik regime is shaking. Several leaders have left Petrograd. Lenin has arrested a number of the leaders of the Socialists and Revolutionaries, including Savinkoff, in addition to a large number of Cadets. 'All have been imprisoned in the fortress Peter and Paul. Lenin has not yet been able to find Miliukoff. The chief difficulty is food. The poor are furious at Lenin’s failure to feed the city.

Messages add: A new revolution may be expected hourly.

EX-CZAR TO BE RELEASED LONDON, December 22. It is announced that Lenin is isuing a decree releasing the Czar and all other members of the Imperial family, in order that they may go abroad in compliance with their requests.