RUSSIAN CRISIS.

Taihape Daily Times, 15 January 1918, Page 5

RUSSIAN CRISIS.

BUSSIA'S ROLE'fINISHED.

HER FIGHTING CAPACITY

ENDED

Received 8.35,

LONDON, January 14.

The Daily Chronicle's Stockholm correspondent interviewed Sir George Buehanan, who said, the Bolsheviks have attained such a position at present that nobody can overthrow them. Their trump cards are peace and general war weariness. They will remain in power until the people learn they cannot realize their promises. The Bolsheviks cannot be regarded as representative of the whole of Russia. South Russia is going its own way. The Bolsheviks have now summoned a constitutional Assembly, but my opinion is that the Soviets are still the real hold-

ers of power. It is impossible to foretell the results of the Brest Litovsk , negotiations. Trotsky seems to be trying to establish a separate peace, but he is also carrying on a propaganda in Germany's eastern armies, and this propaganda has had some results

Kaledin, Kerensky and KornilofE are waiting for a chance to bring aßout order in jtessia, but no change can be expected in the country's external politics in the near future. Eussia has finished her role as an active power in this war.

HORRIBLE MASSACRE AT SEBASTOPOL.

BOLSHEVIK SAILOKS BUTGHEE . NAVAL OFFICERS

ODESSA, January 13.

The horrors of the Kronstadt mutiny have been re-enacted at Sevastopol, where for two days there was a butchery of naval officers by Bolshevik sailors. At least sixty* were killed, including four admirals and a general. Most of the killed were members of the commifEee of inquiry held in 1912, under the Czar's regime into the rebellious sailors, the revolutionary union convicting seventeen to execution, and many of the others to exile. The murdered admirals, and captains were experienced warriors, in whom the fleet expressed well-merited confidence. All the officers of one ship were taken to the famous Malakoff Tower, and shot. The population of Sebastopol are nervous and excited. Many reports state that the officers number hunSreds. J^ r

Street fighting is proceeding at Nikolieff. Twenty German commercials have arrived at Kieff and are doing business.

BREST LTTOVSK CONFERENCE,

ZURICH, January 13.

The Bussian and German delegates ;o the Brest Litovsk Conference hav© "ormed a special commission to negotiite upon territorial questions, and a future commercial treaty.

BRIGHTER OUTLOOK IN RUSSIA..

iOLSHEVIKS FOBM CONSTITUENT ASSEMBLY.

LONDON, January 13

The "Daily Chronicle's" Petrograd iorrespondent states tnat the Bolsheviks ntend to appoint a Constituent Assemilj to sit for only a few clays to ratify l.enin's decrees. They will hand the lovereign power to the Soviets, and will hen dissolve it. If it refuses it will be iompulsorily dissolved for good. The ituation in is slowly im>roving. randred trucks of corn dally. Also, Southern Russia haT pafualTy resumed oodstuffs, which • were topped since the Revolution.