RUSSIA.

Taranaki Daily News, 16 February 1918, Page 5

RUSSIA.

NEGOTIATIONS BRUTALLY RUPTURED. GERMAN PRESS STATEMENT. Received Feb. 13, 5.5 p.m. Zurich, Feb. H. The Augsburger Zeitung learns authoritatively that Sunday's final coiifeivir.:e at Brest Litovsk was stormy. German nemv papers, it says. are. misled in describing as amicable the discussion resulting in the understanding of no peace and no war. A decision was reached, but after warm speeches by Kuhlinann, Czernin and Trotsky the negotiations were brutally ruptured, leaving all the seeds of future conflict. The German press is already accusing the Russians —not merely the Bolsheviks —of criminal designs. The Stuttgart Tageblatt declares that the Kaiser and. military chiefs are conferring at headquarters upon the eventuality of the entrance of military measures against the Russians. TROTSKY'S SINCERITY QUESTIONED. IS HE RAISING AN ARMY 1 Times Service. Received Feb. 15, 10 p.m. Amsterdam, Feb. 14. The sincerity of Trotsky is now strongly suspected in Berlin. It is feared he is raising an army behind the lines. All the German newspapers note that Trotsky cancelled the order for demobilisation three hours after it was issued. The Mitta Zeitung declares that demobilisation is a sham. The main front is breaking up, but the soldiers are reforming in the interior, with a view to constituting an army of a million, probably to embarrass Germany during the peace negotiations with the Allies. BOLSHEVIKS CONCENTRATING TO ATTACK UKRAINE. Received Feb. 15, 11 p.m. Amsterdam, Feb. 14. The Cologne Voiles Zeitung states that positive information exists that the Bolsheviks are concentrating for the invasion of Ukraine, but Germany will not permit Trotsky to rob her of the fruits of the Ukrainian peace. RUSSIA AND POLAND. NOW AT WAR. Received Feb. 15, 11 p.m. Copenhagen, Feb. 15. Warsaw advices state that war between Russia and Poland is now a fact. THE RELEASED PRISONERS. SOURCE OF WEAKNESS TO THE ENEMY. Reuter Service. Received Feb. 15, 11.5 p.m. London, Feb. 14. Colonel Locker Lampson, in an interview, states that the value to Germany of the prisoners released by Russia is greatly exaggerated. They are really likely to prove dangerous, owing to their having imbibed revolutionary views. The majority, consisting of Czechs, Slovaes and others, are against the Central Powers, especially against Austria, During the latest fighting wherein the British armored car unit was engaged, the Austrians surrendered wholesale. Some even volunteered to light against the Austrians. REVOLUTION COLLAPSING. INTERNAL DISSENTIONS. Received Feb. 15, 8.30 p.m. Copenhagen, Feb. 14. Owing to internal dissentions, the revolutionary movement in Finland is verging on a collapse. After the massacre at Kirvo, the Red Guards telegraphed to Helsingfors for surgeons. Five responded. All were murdered oil arrival by the Red Guards. REIGN OF TERROR. CIVILIANS MASSACRED. Received Feb. 15, 8.30 p.ir> Stockholm, Feb. 14. Two thousand Russian soldiers established a reign of terror in the Aaland Islands, massacring the civilian population, who were powerless owing to lack of weapons. The Bolsheviks have drawn up regular bills of prescription against their enemies, employing bloodhounds to track escapees. LITHUANIA GERMANISED. Received Feb. 15; 10 p.m. London, Feb. 14. Amsterdam wireless: It is reported that the Kaiser is issuing on Sunday a declaration granting autonomy to Lithuania, with the status of a German protectorate.