RUSSIAN CRISIS.

Taihape Daily Times, 7 March 1918, Page 5

RUSSIAN CRISIS.

THE BOLSHEVIK PEACE,

SOVIETS MAY NOT RECOGNISE,

PETROGRAD, March 5,

Judging by the resolutions of many provincial Soviets against peace it seems unlikely that the Congress of Soviets' at Moscow will ratify the treaty. The fortnight granted by the Germans will probably be employed in the organisation of the fied army and means for the defence and evacuation of Pctrograd. The Russian-German treaty states: Starting from the fact that Persia and Ajghansltian; ja<re free and independent States, the contracting parties undertake to respect their political and economic independence and territorial integrity and war prisoners will be mutually repatriated. The contracting parties mutually renounce indemnification for war costs, namely, State expenditure and public and private damages, which requisitions have undertanen in the enemy country.

The final clause provides for ratification within a fortnight.

FIGHTING IN SIBERIA.

BOLSHEVIKS DEFEAT COSSACKS,

SHANGHAI, March 5,

Sharp fighting occured in Diouria, on the trans-Siberian railway, between the Cossack leader Samenoff and the Bolsheviks. The latter were in large numbers and were well armed. They forced Samcnoff to withdraw. Insurance companies in Vladivostok arc not issuing further policies owing to the Bolshevik threats to commandeer stores.*

BOLSHEVIKS IN UKRAINE

PETROGRAD, March 5,

The Bolsheviks in the Ukraine have issued a proclamation calling on the people to resist the enemy and to dctroy ammunition before, evacuating towns. Lenin and Trotsky announce that ratification of the treaty has been fixed for the 17th, and ,is dependent on the, decision of the Soviets’ Congress on the 12th,

JAPAN AND RUSSIA,

NO DESIRE FOR .ANTAGONISM:.

f TOKIO, March. 5,

The Suyukai and Kensika parities, which compose the large majority of the Diet, have passed ’a resolution against the movement of Japanese troops to the Far East until the situation is more menacing. -a Public opinion deprecates antagonising Russia, although it desires to check German designs.

ROYALISM DEAD

A JOURNALISTS’ OPINION,

Received 8.45,

SYDNEY, this day

M. Limonoff, a young Broken Hill miner, formerly a journalist in Russia, who has been appointed by the Bolshevik Government as ConsulGeneral in the Commonwealth, declares the Bolsheviks’ main objects are the establishment of common ownership in land, a just and equal distribution of commodities, and abolition of all exploitation. He believes the Bolsheviks will remain .long in power, and they are strong enough to carry out their purpose, unless something happens from the outside. He declares the Royalist regime is dead, with no possibility of a revival, unless forced by outside intervention.

AMERICAN OPPOSITION.

TO JAPANESE INTERVENTION,

Received 9.45

NEW YORK, March 6

Washington official circles feel that the Japanese expedition to Siberia -will aid Lenin’s campaign amidst the Allies. a

WASHINGTON, March 6

The Government has informed Japan through the Allies that America does not consider Japanese intervention advisable. INDIGNATION IN RUSSIA. AT TERMS OF TREATY.

Received 10.5. LONDON, March 6.

The “Daily Express” Petrograd correspondent says Lenin’s peace terms have caused a storm of indignation among local Soviets 1 , who were not consulted. They fear the terms will mean that the mailed fist will crush the revolution, cripple Russian" industry, and alienate the sympathy of European workers. Gorky’s newspapers are particularly bitter, and call the treaty a “criminal scrap of paper.” The papers wonder why the Lenin Government is still in power.