RUSSIAN CRISIS.

Taihape Daily Times, 5 March 1918, Page 5

RUSSIAN CRISIS.

DEFENCE OF RUSSIA.

OFFICERS ORDERED TO SERVE

FIGHT TO THE LAST

PETROGRAD, March 3

The Revolutionary Committee has summoned all officers on the military list to co-operate in the defence of the country. The peace delegation wired the Council of the People’s Commissaries ordering it not to surrender anything without a struggle, and urging it to fight to the last, adding that the Germans wore only small detachments. Nevertheless it appears that the delegates decided to sign peace regardless of conditions.

Under the latest Russo-German agreement Russia hands over the districts of Datum, Kars, and Kasaghan, in Transcaucasia, to the enemy.

GERMANY’S TERMS ACCEPTED.

PICKED WITHOUT DISCUSSION,

PETROGRAD, March 3

Lenin and Trotsky report that the latest German are more stringent than those of February 25th. The:, were presmDed as an ultimatum to the delegation and signed without discussion. The new terms compel Russia to yield 11-e Batoum, Kars and Earachan districts.

The signing of the agreement without discussion made a bad t impression on the Council o 1 ’ Commiss'aries.

JAPAN AND RUSSIA

NO NEW TERRITORY WANTED,

Received 9 a.m. NEW YORK, March 4

The New York Times Washington corerspondent reports it is semi-offi-dally stated that the United States Is hopeful that Japan will give assurances to evacuate Russian territory when the emergency is passed. The most cordial relations exist between Japan and America, particularly since the Ishli-Lansing treaty.

THE CZAR OF RUSSIA NOT A TRAITOR.

Received 8.45

PARIS, March 4

Official documents confirm Mr. Buchanan’s assertion that the ex-Czar would not have left the Allies. His autograph letter to M. Poincare, in April, 1916, published, stated: “I am firmly decided not to lay down arms except by common agreement after definite victory. Russia will recoil from no sacrifices to achieve Allied 1 triumph.^

THE AMERICAN EMBASSY

QUITS PETROGRAD FOR

VLADIVOSTOCK,

TOKIO, March 4,

The newspaper, Jiji Shimpo, says that American Ambassador Francis is moving his Embassy from Pctrograd to Vladivostock.

TERRIBLE CONDITIONS IN RUSSIA.

LENIN WANTS GERMAN PEACE,

Received 8.45. PETROGRAD, March 4,

Lenin, who has definitely taken the leadership of the Soviets, condemns the denunciation of peace terms. He is obsessed with the one idea of a coming world revolution, and triumph of the proletariat. Meanwhile, they must accept German terms. Fears of a German attack and starvation is causing a great rush from Petrograd, especially of foreigners and Britishers, including Embassy officials. The military mission escaped with difficulty. Indscribable disorganisation and rallys are adding to the miseries of refugees. It is reported that soldiers broke °into the British Embassy prior to evacuation and burned and confiscated documents. Officials protested to Trotsky, who replied that the Government had not ordered the outrage therefore it was not responsible COMMANDER COURTMARTIALLED. SURRENDER OF AALAND ISLANDS. » Received 11.5. STOCKHOLM, March 4. General Mannerheim decided to courtmartial the commander of the Finnish White Guards for capitulating and evacuating the Aaland Islands contrary to orders.