RUSSIA.

Taranaki Daily News, 22 December 1917, Page 5

RUSSIA.

WINTER PALACE WRECKED. KERENSKY'S LAST STRONGHOLD. COWARDICE OF ATTACKERS. WANTON DESTRUCTION OP WORKS OPART. London, Dec. 20. The Petrograd correspondent of the Morning Post, describing the sack of thq Winter, Palace, says the whole 'operation of capturing Petrograd was carried out in an admirable military manner. The approaches to the Winter Palace were taken without opposition. The cruiser Aurora and three destroyers took up positions opposite the Palace. Kerensky, during his tenure office at the Palace with his fraternity, had maintained a royally extravagant state. He was guarded by the Cadets, who were trustworthy, and the soldiers of the Women's Battalion were also ordered to remain. The 1 armament consisted of six giuis and a score of Maxims, but no provision was made for victualling the force, which exceeded 2000, but repeated defections left less than 1000, chiefly boys and women, to defend the Palace, which was the last territory Kerensky could command. The garrison at the Palace passed Tuesday night in a state of panic. Kerensky escaped on board a fast motor launch in the early hours of the morning along the little waterway between the Palace and the Hermitage. Kerensky and his adjutant, disguised as Imperial lackeys, slipped out of the danger zone unperceived. The naval guns could have reduced the Palace to ruins in ten minutes if properly served.- The cruiser and destroyers merely fired blank salvoes at intervals for five hours. A few minor guns used shells, not doing-much damage. The attack on the land side was equally farcical. The soldiers who had seized Petrograd went to pieces when bullets began to fly, aiul 000, who were attacking the Palace, fled in all directions when the women opened fire. The Government surrendered on Thursday, and marched out with the Cadets, while the women were brutally handled. Many were flung into the Neva, and many suffered .indignities at the hands of informers, who s.pent the next two days destroying and removing priceless treasures like, mad, senseless barbarians. They slashed innumerable works of art and portraits of the O.ars were torn to shreds. Moltke's portrait alone wns untouched. Carpets, rugs and tapestries were cut to ribbons or used as wrappings for other loot. The Palace was like an anthill for two days. Men were carrying great burdens, and motors still larger loads (if loot, including precious carvings, old china, and gold and silver dinner services. A STATE OF SIEGE. I ARMISTICE WITH UKRAINIANS. AFTER SANGUINARY FIGHTING. Petrograd, Dec. 20. The city is declared in a state of siege. All street gatherings are prohibited, and no one is allowed out after nine at night. An order has been issued transferring the administration of the fleets to the central committees and abolishing admirals. The committtees will appoint boards to direct naval operations. Odessa telegrams report that after three days' sanguinary fighting between the Ukrainians and the Bolsheviks the latter's leader was killed and an armistice arranged. Criminals are pillaging the houses and shops. It is probable that order will soon be restored.

,COSSACKS AND ROYALISTS. GRAND DUKE NICHOLAS GATHERS A GREAT ARMY. New York, Dec. 2(r. The Evening Post correspondent at Petrograd, writing on the 19th, state* . that the Cossacks occupied Rostott' on the 17tli. The Maximalist infantry joined the Cossacks and the Red Guards surrendered. General Kaledin communicated with | Bolshevik headquarters, proposing the cessation of civil war. He stipulated I that the Maximalists do not interfere with the affairs of the Don country, and insists on the immediate formation of a national Government. A Haparanda, message declares that Kerensky is marching troops to Moscow. The Grand Duke Nicholas has gathered a great army, of Royalists and Cossacks in the Caucasus. REPUDIATION OF WAR LOANS. A GERMAN SUGGESTION. Amsterdam, Dec. 20. The Kolnlsche Zeitung has been informed on good authority that the Bolsheviks consider that the loans for war purposes have been completely paid off by the blood of the Russian people, <but they won't repudiate loans intended for productive purposes, including rail-; way loans, to which Germany subscribed. Arising out of the armistice, the Central Powers and Russia have agreed for an immediate exchange of civilian prisoners, and an improvement in the conditions of war prisoners. A BAD TEMPERED CROWD. Petrograd, Dec. 20. Cotsky attempted to address a peaceable conference, and a terrific hubbub arose. The crowd killed his horse .amidst cries of "Blood drinker!" and '"Down with the executioner" Cotsky withdrew and addressed liis supporters in another haH. LEN3N IN SWITZERLAND. Received. Dec. 21, 8.45 p.m. . Berafy Dec. 20.