RUSSIAN CRISIS.

Taihape Daily Times, 16 March 1918, Page 5

RUSSIAN CRISIS.

RATIFYING THE RUSSO-GERMAN

PEACE,

LONDON, March 14,

Mr. Stafford Haasome, the. “Morning Post” special correspondent, reporting from Moscow, states that the Lenin Government has arrived there. The All Russian Asembly meets on the 14th in the halls of the nobility, where the peace will probably be ratified. Business men in Moscow speak of the Germans as the saviours from the Bolsheviks. Mr. Ransome adds that the Soviet Government alone stands between Germany and the realisation ot her grandiose dream.

Reuter’s Agency learns that there is no truth in the statement that Prince Lvoff had formed a Russian Government at Peking.

PEACE WITH TEUTONS AGREED

PREPARATIONS FOR REVOLU TIONAEY WAR.

Received 8 35

PETROGRAD, Mrach 15,

The ratification of the German dictated peace, also immediate preparations for a revolutionary war arc foregone conclusions when the Soviet Congress meets at Moscow.

LONDON, March 15. The Soviets have agreed to the peace terms of the Central Powers.

RUSSIA’S DIFFICULTIES,

VICTIM OF GERMAN PENETRA-

TION

STATEMENT BY MR. BALFOUR

Received 10.40,

LONDON, March 15,

In the House of Commons Mr. Balfour said Japan would intervene as a friend in order to protect Russia against Germany, If Japan promises to respect Russia’s integrity she will keep her promise, as she has always kept her promises to us. We desire to see ■ Russia intact and free in order that the revolution may boar its best fruits. He was optimistic regarding Russia’s future, b*t Russia was now out of the war The revolutionists wanted to constitute an army for national defence, and doubtless would welcome our assistance; but could they improvise a ncw r instrument. He repudiated the suggestion that Japan’s intervention would dismember Russia; Japan would He Russia’s friend against Germany. He did not believe Germany intended to send a powerful force against Vladivostok, but German penetration would bo absolutely disastrous for Russia, and injurious to the Allies. He believed the Bolsheviks wished to resist the penetration but he feared it was too late He feared Germany w 7 ould find an opportunity to use a favourite device of dividing Russia against herself getting the democracy to supplant the autocracy, and vice versa, and fostering disorder until her intervention was sought from sheer weariness, then a new autocracy would arise in Russia worse than the old, because it was based on a foreign Power. Russia was powerless to resist them. She needs our help and sympathy. We want to to help her, not to increase her troubles. The Allies should do all in their power to bring Russia through her crisis. PEACE TREATY RATIFIED. t Received 11.35. LONDON, March 15. An Exchange telegram states that the Peace Treaty has been ratified at the Moscow Conference by 453 to 30. GERMANS STILL ADVANCING. PPETROGRAD, March 14. The Germans occupied Abo on the 12th, and arc marching to the interior They continue operations in Southern Russia. They occupied Tchernigoff. The Turks have occupied the whole of the Baku region.