RUSSIAN CRISIS.

Taihape Daily Times, 1 March 1918, Page 5

RUSSIAN CRISIS.

SAVING SUPPLIES IN SIBERIA. JOINT CAMPAIGN BEING CONSIDERED. Received 8.45. WASHINGTON, Feb. 28. Japan has asked Allied and American views regarding joint military operations in Siberia in order to save the supplies stored at Vladlvostock and other points along the Siberian railroad. America has troops in the Philppines. The Allies and America are considering whether there should be a purely Japanese campaign in Siberia or joint action would be most advisable. THE GERMAN BALTIC FLEET. FREED BY RUSSIA'S COLLAPSE. Received 8.45. WASHINGTON, FeD, 28. Mr. Grasty, the well-known war correspondent, writing to the New York Times from Paris, says the collapse of Russia frees the German fleet in the Baltic, The consensus of opinion is optimistic regarding the control of submarines. This, he considers, is premature, as the situation now presents a fresh naval problem for the Allies. AUSTEIANS REFUSE TO ADVANCE. TROUBLE WITH THE GERMAN TROOPS. Received 5.55. NEW YORK, February 28. The United Press, correspondent at Petrograd reports that the Austrians have refused to advance against the Russians in Vohhynia. The Germans are also reported to be disobeying commands. BRITAIN SPEAKS OUT. , LONDON, Veb 27. : Mr. Balfour, in the House of Commons,,. stated that, the Government intended that the final fate of the Russian provinces, Roumania, and Armenia shall be settled at the finai peace conference, despite any peace now enforced on Russia and Roumania.

JAPAN READY TO ACT IN SIBERIA

WASHINGTON, Feb 27. '

Japan has directed enquiries to the Entente and the United States regarding joint military operations in Siberia, to save vast quantities of war supplies stored at.Vladivostock and along the Siberian railroad. The situation is regarded by. Japan as warranting action on her,.part, but.she is wfiTing for the-corop.eration of the Allies and the United States, to avoid the question of the ultimate disposition of the occupied territory in Siberia.

WHAT WILL GERMANY DO? LONDON, Feb 27. There is keen discussion in AngloFrench political circles concerning the expected action of Japan. Well-in-formed Japanese in London say the occupation of part, perhaps the whole of Manchuria, and even the despatch of an army to Siberia, is inevitable to prevent invasion. Japan's determination to block the re-establishment of the Germans in the Pacific leads to the conclusion that strong action has already been initiated. TOKIO, Feb 27. It is announced that Japan will take drastic measures fo cope with any detrimental result of the Russo-Ger-man peace. SWEDEN AND RUSSIA. FIRST CONFLICT BETWEEN v TROOPS. LONDON, February 27. The first conflict between Swedish and Russian troops is reported from the Aaland Islands, where Russian batteries fired on the Swedish military expedition on its arrival. The shells exploded in the water. Red Guards attacked • two Swedish boaFs, hand-to-hand fighting, occurring in one case This will inevitably entail further military intervention by Sweden, whose fisople are unanimous in desiring the Aalands, which, i n foreign hands, would be a danger to Sweden.

ROUMANIANS ATTITUDE.

PARIS, February 27. The Petit Parisien states that the first meeting of Count Czernin and Dr. KuhlMann with General Averescu was stormy, Count Czernin adopted an aggressive attittrde, reviving personal bitterness regarding the Roumanians. The meeting broke up without a tangible result.