The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1917-12-25
RUSSIAN NAVY
DEM0RALIZED:
0FFICERSQUIT'
Admiral's Flag Withdrawn
From Baltic Fleet and Cen.
trebalt Emblem Raised.
MAKES PEACE REMOTE
Cltimatum of lkrainian Rada
Meets With Tart Reply
Coal Supply Cut OFF.
Special cable Despatch TO TBx srS from the
London Times

Special cable Despatch to TIE SrS from the
London Times,
Copyright. 1917 all rights r5serrsd.
PETEoGRAD. Dec. 2i.-Added to
anarchy. threatened civil war, imm'-
nent famine and the danger OF class
revolution. which would make the worst
Of the guillotine days in France insig-
nificant by compa rison. Russia now has
come to the realization that while she
is dickering with her enemies in an ef-
fort to conclude peace che no longer is
able to wage war.
Following the almost complete de-
moralization OF the army the navy has
been disrupted. To-day's Irrestid. the
Ministerial organ. publishes an order
from the so-called Centrebalt, or COM
mittee OF sailors of the Baltic fleet. de-
claring that command OF the fleet now is
in the hands Of the military section of
that body and that Admiral Razvoson
has been recalled, his flag hauled down
and the flag OF the Centrebalt hoisted.
Fleet Ohicers Resign.
In consequence of these proceedings a
meeting of 500 officers OF the fleet
adopted a resolution to the effect that
these measures would result in COM
plete disorganization OF the navy. This,
they held. would render impossible the
conclusion OF peace on a democratic
basis. as the imperialist enemy would be
able to dictate terms. The officers de-
cline to be responsible for the new state
Of things. and In consequence have re-
signed until the convocatbn of the Con-
stituent Assembly. which they say alone
represents the will OF the nation.
The T-uesNd also publishes a reply to
the ultmatum OF the Ukrainian Rada
which is couched in the tartest language.
The original document likewise did not
mince words. 1t pointed to the insin-
cerity Of the Petrograd Government,
which. while proposing TO recognize the
complete autonomy OF the Ukraine. was
cndeavoring to interfere in its internal
affairs.
These attempts at interference were
less justified. 1t is pointed out, in view of
the unfortunate conditions prevailing In
the territory. Anarchy. political and
economic disorder and military violence
were suffered there. 1t is asserted, and
the liberty won by the revolution has
been crushed.
Certain TrOops Disarmed.
The Ukraine Government is not dis
posed to undergo another such expert
ence. II consequently has disarIned the
Russian troops displaying anarchist ten
denotes and conspirnC against the con-
stituted authorities. This was done. II
is asserted, to prevent the introduction
Of civil war. anarchy and unbfidled vio-
lence. such AZ were prevailing in tire
territory controlled by the so-called
Peoples Commissioners.
The Ukraine Government recognizes
the need for unity on all fronts. but as
the Petrograd Government introSiuced
complete disorganization on all fronts
and as the Bolshevik troops exposed the
fatherland. leaving positions all along
the line. the Ukraine Government feels
II cannot undertake TO defend the vast
extent of the northern and northwestern
fronts with It's own troops and therefore
has withdrawn its men, The Ckrainiar
front now. however, Is united with the
southwestern and Rumanian fronts 1t,
soldiers propose to defend their owr
frontiers at all costs, thus contributing q
to the maintenance Of Russia on a wal
footing, so necessary to a satisfactory
peace.
The Ukraine appeals to Petrograd and
the Bosheviki to refrain from moesting
its troops on their homeward Journeys
and not 10 compel action against Rus
sian divisions on its front who are nee.
essary to the defence of the whole coun-
try
In regard TO the passage of Bolshevik
troops sent against the Don, Ural and
other regions the Ukraine Government
ropf;vr,d on ScrouJ ponr