RUSSIAN CRISIS.

Taihape Daily Times, 13 March 1918, Page 5

RUSSIAN CRISIS.

WILSON'S !Vi«£&SA£i£ To SOVIETS.

A TIMELY WARNING

WASHINGTON, March 11.

President Wilson sent a message of America's sympathy and support to the Congress of Soviets at Moscow. He added that the Germans were attempting to neutralise Russia's struggle fox- freedom.

Although America now was unable to render direct and effective aid, she would 'take every opportunity to assist Russia to secure complete sovereignty and independence.

America thoroughly supported the Russian people's attempt to free themselves from autocratic government.

PRESIDENT WILSON'S MESSAGE

TO THE RUSSIAN PEOPLE

Received 8.40

WASHINGTON, March 12

President Wilson's message to the Moscow Conference of Soviets states, inter alia: "I wish to take advantage of the Congress of Soviets to express sympathy with the people at this moment when Germany is endeavouring to turn back Rusia's whole struggle for freedom and substitute Germany's wishes for the purposes of the Russian people. Although the United States Government, unhappily, is not now in the position to render direct effective aid, I wish to assure the people of Russia that America will avail herself of every opportunity to secure Russia's complete sovereignty, independence, and full restoration of her great role in the life of Europe in the modern world. POOR PETROGRAD, ITS POPULATION GONE. Received 8.40. LONDON, March 12. The: vDatly .Chronicle's Petrograd correspondent states that Ministers have nearly all gone to Moscow. The population is flocking from the capital in groups of thousands, waiting for permits to leave on. the overcrowded trains which are departing all day long. Others are using sledges and many are trudging through the snow. Everything is quite; the city is becoming deserted. Trams are running with difficulty owing to coal-shortage.' Factories are closing and cabs are disappearing, most of the owners having sold their horses for meat. Underfed horses are dying in streets daily; theatres are mostly empty. Motors and lorries have been commandeered for evacuation purposes. There is no panic and no excitement, widespread gloom has taken 'their place. Meanwhile Petrograd * knows little of the outside world, and even'Russian news is hard to get. GERMANS NEAR ODESSA. Received 10.45. ROTTERDAM, MARCH 12. The are within nine miles of Odessa. ALLIED CONSULS DEMAND PROTECTION AT VLADIVOSTOCK. Received 10.45. HELSINGFORS, March 12. Allied consuls at Vladivostock sent an ultimatum to the Bolsheviks demanding protection of property and restoration of the Government existing in Kerensky's time. It is expected the Japanse will land and enforce the consuls' demand. SIBERIAN CRISIS ACUTE. GOVERNMENTS NEGOTIATING. Received 10.45. TOKIO, March 12. It is reported that negotiations are proceeding between the Japanese and Siberian Governments. Newspapers consider the crisis acute. TRAGIC AND SIGNIFICANT. RUSSIAN FLEET ABANDONED. Received 8.40* PETROGRAD, March 12. The Soviet has received a tragic and significant description of the abandoned fleet at Helsingfofs. Crews fled away, and there was only one watch on each ship left. Dreaanoughts were going to Kronstadt, other ships were left to the care of Finlafid which is practically in German hands. The Aurora and Diana were dismantled, the sailors looting everything movable. The Bolsheviks have decided to adopt the title "Russian Communistic Party," and they will extend their policy on an international basis.