RUSSIA.

Taranaki Daily News, 13 December 1917, Page 5

RUSSIA.

REPORT FROM THE FRONT. SOLDIERS WAN'I SIX MONTHS' PEACE. A FEELING OF (BETRAYAL. United Service, Received December 12, 5.5 p.m. Petrograd, Dec. 11. Mr. Philip Price states that the Bolphevik army delegates returned from the fronts and reported that'all the sc!' ; ers complained that they wanted eight months' peace. They behaved they had been betrayed, and will wait no longer, but will rely on themselves. M. Kampeff stated a long armistice was intended. The Bolsheviks are aware of the enemy's aims, but would retaliate at the -.vsakest spot. A million, leaflet* will be supplied to German soldiers, assuring them of moral support in the event of revolutionary outbreaks. THE ARMISTICE NEGOTIATIONS.

A GERMAN STATEMENT. CANNOT EVACUATE RIGA ISLANDS. Keuter. Service Received December 12, 5.6 p.m. Amsterdam, Dec 11 A Berlin semi-official message states that in the reocnt armistice negotiations the Russian conditions wore astonishingly far reaching, considering Russia's military situation. Germany could noi agree to evacuate the islands in the Gulf of Riga, and could, not withdraw troops from the Eastern front for six months, which the Russians demanded. However, after further discussion, an agreement was reached, except on the question of the evacuation of the islands, which admits of no discussion, The statement concludes: In the ten days' truce, which was finally agreed upon, we see a good augury for the future. GERMAN TERMS OPPOSED BOLSHEVIKS DEPRESSED London, Dee. 11. The Daily Chronicle's Haparanda correspondent reports that ihe Bolsheviks are depressed over ths armistice negotiations and are making strong efforts to induce the Al,;4s to participate in the negotiations. Germany offered an armistice if Russia withdrew from the occupied parts of Galicia and the Black Sea littoral When informed of these demands MM. Trotaky and Lenin appealed to Herr Kuhlmann and Count Czerin by wireless to hasten a general peace. The Workers' Executive strongly opposes the German terms.

TROTSKY AND THE COSSACKS A GENERAL FOULLY MURDERED. Petrograd, Dec. 11. The Cossacks control the principal coal supplies. ■M. Trotzky states that the Cossacks have mounted quickflrers en the roofs in Rostoff and are terrorising the population. Considerable .forces have been detached /and sent against the Cossacks. German officers arc indignantly protesting at thp distribution of revolutionary leaflets advocating a democrats peace. The officials here are unsympathetic and propose to continue distributing them. An eye-witness of General Dukhonin's death states that he was dragged from r. carriage, hurled in the air and caught on sailors' tayonets; on touching the ground he was again stabbed, bayonetted and shot and left in the carriage, where his friend a found his body almost stripped. The sailors kicked it into the corridor. BOLSHEVIK INFLUENCE WANING. Petrograd, Dec. 10. Signs of distrust of the Bolshevik junta are increasing owing to its reticence and desire to monopolise power, ft is stated that Moscow is becoming reactionary and wavering and that the Bolsheviks, fearing a rismg have posted quickfirers in the streets. It is believed that Ifnin will submit the armistice terms to the Xational Assembly, thus evading personal responsibility. Another correspondent writes: There are indications that the Bolshevik influence is waning. A detachment -of the Parlovsk Guards paraded in the Nevskv Prospect displaying banners inscribed "Down with the Bolshevilfs." ■ Lenin and" Troteky, guarded by nominal supporters, are merely prisoners and St is suspected they desire to escape. House-owners in Petrograd have been warned to safeguard their property for the next few days as a further armed outbreak is feared. A DEMONSTRATION ORDERED. OUTLOOK MOST OMINOUS Received Dec. 13, 12.5 a.m Petrograd, Dec. 12. Reuter's correspondent, telegraphing last night, says the revolutionary committee has invited the people to demonstrate to-morrow with inflammatory watchwords. The outlook is most ominous. The newspaper Praoza announces a collision between the Maximalists and four thousand Korniloffers, near Bielagorod.