SCHEME FOR NEW ARMY.

Taranaki Daily News, 25 February 1918, Page 5

SCHEME FOR NEW ARMY.

KNIiMY WILL OCCUPY PKTROCRAD. A despairing APPEAL. DRASTIC' MEASURES TAKEN. Received Feb. 24, 5.5 p.m. Petrograd, Feb. 2:]. Tlic Board of the Petrograd Council of Army Commissaries has discussed the question of GermanyV- refusal of the peace oii'ei*, and 1 lie Council is preparing defence schemes., notably the development of n new army. The old army's position is considered hopeless. Nevertheless Bolshevik influence on the Council increases. The majority of the Bolsheviks oppose the "holy war/' and favor Lenin's attitude. Reliable reports state thai ten Herman transports sailed northwards from Danzig on t)ie 'JJth, ami that a naval squadron quitted Lilian northwards. It is reported that Germany will occupy Petrograd until Russia gives guarantees for peace and also for a thirty-years trade treaty. The Council of Commissaries has issued a manifesto, in which it declares that the republic is imperilled, and appeals to all citizens to enrol for the defence of the revolution. It warns the Soviets to defend their positions to the last drop of blood, and that railways must be destroyed, and rolling stock and locomotives removed eastwards. The people are ordered to raise battalions and construct defences in the cities and towns. The lawless elements must be expelled from the army, and discipline firmly maintained. The bourgeoisie must enlist or he shot at sight. A special military general stall' of five has been appointed, and has resolved to mobilise, the whole of the able-bodied men, and to confiscate all property nc-es-sary for defensive purposes. Martial law has been established. KRYLENKO'S PROCL AMATION. General Krylenko, in a proclamation, states that the struggle continues not for certain peace terms, but to end the Soviets' power. The enemy is unable to throw large armies against Russia, but only small detachments of from 1000 to 2500. General Krylenko appeals for small detachments to oppose the invader, and to check' the forward movement. The foreign embassies are preparing to leave. TROTSKY'S EFFORTS TO STOP HOSTILITIES. Trotsky hns gone to Dvinsk for the purpose of stopping the new hostilities. He carries Russia's reply to Germany's demands, but it is expected that Germany will now insist on non-interven-tion in Ukraine, the stoppage of civil war in Ukraine, non-intervention in Finland, and the withdrawal of the Russian troops from Finland. ESTHONIANS APPEAL FOR HELP. TUB KAISER'S HEART TOUCHED. Australian Cable Association. Received Feb. 24, 5.5 p.m. Amsterdam, Feb. 22. The Kaiser has received a telegram from the Lubeek Senate, asking that assistance. should be sent to the people of Esthonia. The Kaiser replied: "The words of the Senate are re-echoed profoundly iu my heart. The desperate cry for help will not be unanswered. Rigorous measures will he taken against the gangs of marauders, to end a situation of complete anarchy." A GFRMAN REPORT. VICTORIOUS PROGRESS. Aus. and N.Z. Cable Assoc. and Reuter. Received Feb. 24, 5.5 p.m. London, Feb. 23. Wireless German official: We occupied Hapsel, in Esthonia. The First Esthonian Regiment placed itself at the disposal of the German command. We pasjed beand entered Riezitza, amid the rejoicings yond Ronneburg, Wolmar and Spandau, of the inhabitants. Thence we advanced our assistance the Ukrainian struggle to the Luizin and occupied Minsk. With for freedom is progressing. We jraictioned with Ukrainian detachments at Novograd and Volynsk, and other columns are marching on Bubo. FURTHER GERMAN ADVANCE. Received Feb. 25, 1.10 a.m. London, Feb. 24. Wireless German official: Our troops in Esthonia are pressing eastward, and have occupied Wary, Livonia, and 'Dubno. PEACE NEGOTIATIONS 'RESUMED. Reuter Service. Xew York. Feb. 24GernU i'v has renewed peace negotiations with Russia.