RUSSIAN FLEET ENDANGERED.

Taranaki Daily News, 25 February 1918, Page 5

RUSSIAN FLEET ENDANGERED.

BY GERMAN ADVANCE ON REVAL. ALLIES WILL MINE DARDANELLES. Aus. and N.Z. Cable Assoc, and Reuter. Received Feb. 24, 5.5 p.m. London, Feb. 2.'). The rapidity of the German advance on Reviil will decide the fate of the Russian Baltic (loot, which is icebound there, also the Ilelaingfors fleet, the crcwJ of which have deserted. These include four dreadnoughts, seven big cruisers, and sixty-four destroyers. The capture of the big ships will' not iill'ect British superiority, but the destroyers would prove most useful lo Germany. It, is expected that she will attempt'to secure the Russian Black Sea fleet, but the -Allies would mine the Dardanelles. ANXIETY IN FRANCE SPEEDY ACTION URGED. RUSSIA IN SORRY PLIGHT. Renter Service. Received Feb. 24, 5.5 pin. London, Feb. 23. The Paris correspondent of the Daily News slates that French official circles are gravely concerned at the position in Russia, and have urged speedy Allied action; otherwise Germany wiil obtain such gigantic power as to menace the independence of Europe. News from Russia is extremely sombre. The Express Petrograd correspondent reports that the Germans have already occupied Hapsal, and that Lenin and Trotsky are trying to resuscitate the half demobilised army, but that the degenerate rabble have .no lighting spirit left. The Bolsheviks are withdrawing the army from Finland. PESTILENCE AND FAMINE. LIGHTNING DASHES OF GERMANY. London, Feb. 22. The Daily Chronicle's Moscow correspondent says he conversed with Aus-tro-Gcrman prisoners roaming the streets and found them dejected and indignant. They desired to return to thoir homps, but were not permitted to go through their own front. They were sent back on a- promise that they should return via Finland, which route is now closed owing to the upheaval there. Fourteen hundred Austro-Gcrmans are living in railway trucks at Moscow station, penniless and dependent on the Bolsheviks' charity for food and drink. The Morning Post's' Petrograd correspondent expresses the opinion that pestilence and famine, will keep Russian soil safe from German inroads long enough to enable the Allies on the West front to deal with the common enemy. The announcement of unconditional surrender was a stunning; blow to the public. The Germans aro making the most of their opportunity with lightning dashes into helpless Russia. Thousands of nrjnv horses have recently starved to death, the soldiers selling the forage to pay gambling debts. Tlie condition of the Russian railways has long been deplorable. The Germans are gaining enormous booty and fighting material. They captured at Dvinsk sufficient food for a quarter of a million men for three weeks, also 30,000 tons of sugar, 000 locomotives, and 1000 wagons. The Cor" man invading force, which has already overrun the entire war zone of a hundred miles deep, consists of only one division of cavalry and infantry. The Polish legions were offered an armistice on condition that they gave free passage in any direction. They are making towards Warsaw. Bolshevik party meetings have developed indignation against M. Trotsky, who will probably resign. THE INEVITABLE PANIC. GERMANS LANDING AT REVALLondon, Feb. 22. The Russians, in panic, have evacuated Reval and Pskoll'. The Bolsheviks hastily considered a scheme for defending Petrograd. When they assembled at the council table they learned that the available guns were in an appalling condition; the essential parts were missing in consequence of the activities of German agents in the early days of the revolution. The troops were ordered to dig trenches outside the capital, but saner counsels prevailed with the realisation that the city can easily be starved, as the Germans command the railway system. The Allied Embassies are besieged by anxious inquirers, who have been informed that their departure will be arranged for in the event of the Germans reaching Petrograd. It is reported that 45 German warships are steaming towards Reval, where troops are landing. GERMAN DEMANDS. Amsterdam, Feb. 22. Germany regards the proposals made at Brest Litovsk as annulled- It is believed that she is now determined to demand the whole Baltic coast, including the possession of the. Russian Baltic licet The Germans have levied a line of 250,000 marks on Warsaw as a punishment for the recent disorders. GERMANS ENTER MINSK. London, Feb. 22. A German wireless official message reports: We have entered Minsk. NEW AND HARSHER CONDITIONS. Washington, Feb- 22The New York World's Petrograd correspondent states tnat the opinion at Bolshevik headquarters is that Germany will add new and harsher conditions Before peace terms are signed.