RUSSIAN CRISIS.

Taihape Daily Times, 20 March 1918, Page 5

RUSSIAN CRISIS.

A MODERN SLAVE MARKET. RUSSIAN TROOPS TRADE WOMEN AND CHILDREN. Received 9.5. NEW YORK, March. 19. 1 The Globe's Petrograd correspondent says Russian troops from the Caucasus have arrived bringing many women and slaves bought in the Caucasus by the soldiers, The slaves were resold in the market at from twelve to one hundred dollars to be used as labourers and domestics. TWO BOLSHEVIKS RESIGN. Received 9.5. PETROGRAD, March 19. Two Bolshevik Commissaries, Dubinko and Kolonyai, have resigned as a' result of the ratification of the Getr man peace ' treaty. RENEWAL OF FIGHTING URGED. Received 9.5. ■ NEW YORK, March 19. Seven hundred foreign languages newspapers iii the United States, representing 10,000,000 readers, has sent a mesage to the Russian Government urging a renewal of the fight against Germany.

PETROGRAD’S PATE

NEW YORK, March IS,

The New York ' ‘ Herald V ’ Petrograd correspondent says the city . has been practically evacuated It is governed by a labour commune. The Germans at Minsk and Mosiloff have seized the last cows and horses from the peasants. They arc also requisitioning all provisions.

ATTEMPTED’ ASSASSINATION

Received 8.40. PARIS, March 19

A Sofia telegram states that General Averescu resigned owing to an attempt that was made to assassinate him. THE SITUATION IN SIBERIA. JAPANESE STATEMENT. Received 9.40. TOKIO, March 18. j In the House of Representatives, the War Minister stated that 94,000 German prisoners were in Siberia, east of Lake Baikal, 60,000 west of Baikal. Those east were uncontrolled and were trying their utmost to get arms. One thousand Russian Moderates, under Seminoff, are opposing Maximalists east of Baikal. The Entente might support Seminoff, but Seminoff’s forces at present were weak. There were also some Moderates at Vladivostock and Blagoveshchensk. The Maximalists’ power is growing, and they are getting a supply of arms and ammunition. Should German prisoners organise to support the Maximalists a serious situation might be created.

RUSSIA HELD RE-SPONSIBLE. FOR REPUDIATION OF DEBTS. Received 8.40. LONDON, March 18, Mr, A, J, Balfour stated the Allies had forwarded a declaration to the Russian Commissary of Foreign Affairs, stating the decrees repudiating debts, confiscating property, and other anologous measures are without force, and they reserve the'right to claim damages from the Russian Government for any losses to their nationals. Russia has not replied.