RUSSIAN CRISIS.

Taihape Daily Times, 6 March 1918, Page 5

RUSSIAN CRISIS.

JAPS IN SIBERIA. AMSTERDAM, March 4. German political circles are agitated over the projected Japanese action. The newspapers publish inspired comments statinag that Germany will not fight in Siberia, but if the Japanese menace Petrograd or- attempt to rot Germany of her peace fruits, she will reply quickly. The majority of the papers regard the Japanese movement as bluff, and declare that in any case it will take months to render any effective action. Germany will only help Russia if asked, and then on her own terms.

SPECULATION ABOUT JAPANESE ACTION.

A TREMENDOUS OPPORTUNITY OP DIVIDING ASIA WITH GERMANY. Received 9.10. NEW YORK, March 5.

The Washington corespondents of a New York newspapers state that the news of Japan’s action in Siberia is hourly awaited. It is generally believ- 1 ed that owing to the strict censorship at Tokio the announcement of Japan’s action may be delayed until the expedition arrives in Siberia. The World’s Washington correspondent says perhaps the Japanese are already in Siberia, while a message to the Times records the growing opinion that the Allies should be willing to trust Japan to evacuate the territory without definite guarantees. The Tribune says editorially: “By breaking faith to-day Japan could divide the whole of Asia with the Teuton, but there is no dishonoured treaty in Japan’s diplomacy. Let us trust her/’ RUSSIANS AMASSING -ON CHINESE FRONTIER. Received 9.10. PEKING;, March 5. It is reported • that thq Russians are massing on the.. Western Chinese frontier, . evidently intending to . in-;, vade Sinkiang. : ;v J REGULAR ARMY GOING HOME. HORRORS OF A FOREIGN YOKE. A DESPAIRING APPEAL, Received 8.45. j LONDON, March 5. ’ The Daliy Chronicle’s Petrograd correspondent states the majority of the Social revolutionaries of the Left and a section of the Bolsheviks, still favour a fevolutionary war, but serious defence is impossible, as the regular army,'with few exceptions, is flocking to the interior as far as possible from the invaders of Petrograd. Regiments have sold regimental property, divided the proceeds, and gone home. The Red Guards Army is enthusiastic, but raw and cannot seriously resist the invaders. The capital is uncannily quiet. The peace terms seem to have struck a blow at the national feelings. The Cadet Party, has issued a manifesto declaring that the calamities of anarchy, deplorable as they are, cannot be compared to the horrors of enslavement to a foreign yoke. It appeals to the country to rally to the defence of the country in association with Russia’s Allies. THE ALLIED POWERS AGREED. TO ALLOW JAPAN TO INTERVENE. Received 8.45. PARIS, March 5. M. Piehon made a statement to the Foreign Affairs Committoe on the diplomatic situation and the EupsoJapancsc negotiations. Members of the Committee refused to make a precise statement, but let it be understood that the Allies had agreed to leave to Japan the task of intervening in Manchuria and Siberia. PEACEFUL, BUT SUSPICIOUS! LONDON, March 4. Admiralty wireless—Russian official Krylenko ordered the Russians to cease, hostilities, but to remain in their present positions.

FINLAND’S CRISIS.

GERMANS TO EFFECT A LANDING COPENHAGENN, March 5. The Altenbladet states that 5000 Russian soldiers have,arrived at Helsingfors, where Germany’s action has caused a panic. The Red Guards decided to defend the town to the last German squadrons assembled at the entrance of the Gulf of Finland. A cruiser and three destroyers are reported at Autrea in Southern Finland Activities indicate that a German landing is imminent.