RUSSIAN CRISIS.

Taihape Daily Times, 10 January 1918, Page 5

RUSSIAN CRISIS.

GERMAN CONTROL OF OCCUPIED TERRITORY. OPPOSED BY TROTSKY. ISSUE OF PEACE OR WAR TO BE ENFORCED. Received 9.30. WASHINGTON, Jan 9. M Fleurot, the war correspondent, says that Trotsky’s purpose in going to Brest Litovsk is to unswervingly oppose'German military control of the occupied territories. He will force a clear issue of peace or war when the Constituent Assembly meets on January 18.

RUSSIA’S DEPLORABLBE STATE

ANARCHY RAMPANT.

LONDON, Jan S.

The “Daily Chronicle’s” Petrograd correspondent says that if Trotsky is unable to induce the Germans to transfer the peace negotiations to Stockholm, he hopes to induce them to assent to Berne. The idea + hat Russia can fight must be abandoned. Russia has ceased to exist as an crganised State, and ifi* in a condition of inconceivable anarchy, slipping back to the Middle Ages. No food is being loaded for Petrograd, and unless a miracle occurs starvation is certain. Rioting is commencing in factory towns in the Moscow district owing to the complete disappearance of bread. There is a danger of the stoppage of trains owing to coal failing Many factories Save closed. The army of unemployed is growing daily. The official class continue to strike. The people are hoarding roubles in view of possible emergency. All financial operations are completely blocked. The masses are sullen. Anarchist propaganda is making head way at the Bolsheviks ’expense. The anarchists propose on the Russian New Year’s day to confiscate all property, including factories and houses. Travelling is perilous; '' Trains are packed with""wandering' soldiers, and the ‘ rolling stock Is' gradually breaking 'down .under the'' straih, J A train arrived at’ its 1 ' windows smashed and the lining torn from the seats