RUSSIAN CRISIS.

Taihape Daily Times, 15 March 1918, Page 5

RUSSIAN CRISIS.

HUNS CAPTURE ODESSxA

Received 8.40,

LONDON, March 14

The Germans have entered Odessa, closely followed by the Austro-Hun-garians.

(Odessa is the chief Russian port on the Black Sea, and is the principal point of export for the immense quantities of grain grown in the “black earth” country in Southern and Central Russia. The capture of Odessa is of infinitely greater moment to the Teuton Powers than would have been the acquisition of either Moscow or Petrograd. Shortly after war was declared there were immense quantities of wheat stored at Odessa, and probably this has been materially added to owing to the impossibility of export through the closing of the Black Sea. The'capture of Odessa is to the Central Powers the most important event of the present year, and to a large extent will render nugatory the Allied maritime blockade.) ( GERMAN MENACE TO INDIA. Received 9.15. NEW YORK, March 14. The “Tribune,” commenting on the capture of Odessa, says the German .ream of seriously menacing India is grotesque and impossible. GERMANS FIGHTING ISOLATED BANDS. AMSTERDAM, March 13. Berlin advices report that activity on the Eastern front 'has been discontinued, but there is intensified fighting against bands, especially in the Ukraine, where the Maximalist commandos include Czech and Austrian deserters. A severe battle northeast of Kieff is proceeding with the Bolsheviks. The principal combatants are Czech deserters, who have heavy artillery. ; JAPAN'S ENTRY. , i i ■rn I Mftlci'NEW; YORK, March 13. . T Upited Press correspondent at Tokio says, that France unconditionally' favours Japanese intervention. Britain" 1 favours intervention conditional 1 on 'America’s approval. The Japanese Advisory Cq|incil has postponed a meeting pending advices from America. The political situation ■is satisfactory. Authoritative opinions expect intervention within a month. The Japanese regard the feud between AustroGerman prisoners in Siberia as a growing menace. The : newspaper ‘Jiji” ' learns that Germans are transporting parts of five submarines to Yaldivostock. It adds:Japan is the only Power able to check the Germans’ march seaward. INTERFERENCE OF INTERNAL POLITICS. CABINET RESIGNATION. PROBABLE.

Received 10.55 > TOKIO, March 14,

Internal politics continue to interfere with a general agreement regarding intervention in Siberia. There is a prospect of a Cabinet resignation in the near future. The public greatly desire an agreement with America, GERMAN PRISONER ARMY IN SIBERIA. Received 11.5. LONDON, March I4_ In the House of Commons Lord Robert Cecil stated numerous reports had been received concerning an ar,my of German and other enemy prisoners in Siberia, and the number so armed was probably considerable.