RUSSIA.

Taranaki Daily News, 28 December 1916, Page 5

RUSSIA.

UERMAN CRUELTIES.

JtUSSIAK COUNTER MEASURES, PetrogTal, Dec. 26. The Russian ultimatum threatening flogging as a disciplinary measure for prisoners unless Germany abolished the torture called suspension, practised on Russian prisoners, had the desired effect, and Germany has replied substituting imprisonment for the barbarous punishment. Germany! has also abolished the severe measures applied to Russian officers owing to Russia, as a reprisal, reducing German officer prisoners to the ■rank, of privates. .

THE PEACE OFFER. t OBEAM DISPELLED. Petrograd. Dep. 26. Getman i-i.-mmanders on the Eastern rent informed the troops of the Central Empire's offer of peace. ' There wad gTeat jubilation, the Austro-German troops solefnnlv and pompously singing Jiyfns in celebration of what was described as the beginning of the peace BKOttations with Germany. The commanders led the men to believe that the Allies would accept -he peace offer joyfully. The Russians in the midst of the Teutonic rejoicings, opened a heavy fiTe and completely nonplussed the enemy, who ceased their hymns and seized their Tiftcs. The enemy frequently hoisted placards on the breastworks and trenches depicting the Russians and German shaking hands. Russian sharpshooters promptly riddled the boards with bullets. The considcntlc increase of the enemy in the Dobrudja suggests that the German command intends to push along the Lower Danube, with the idea ®f turning the flank of the Rnsso-Rou-tauian* defending the Sereth front.

CEMENTING THE ENTENTE. JVAR ATMS TO BE ACCOMPLISHED.. Petrograd, D&. 26. M. Pontrowaki, the new Foreign Minister, informed press representatives tfaat.,after the war the military alliance Of Euiaia, France, and Britain -would lie consolidated by close economic union. The war would be continued to the bitter end, till a decisive victory had beeii attained. President Wilson's Note could not alter the situation. The Al- ' liea would reply fully, but would refuse Mr. Wilson's proposal and reiterate that they would continue the war until the, restoration of the ravaged territories! and the existence of small nations was secured and a new world conflagration Rendered' impossible. He indicated that further military meuureß would be taken fiinally to end vacillation. I