Omaha daily bee., 1917-12-22
GERMANS SUPPORT REDS.

GEEMANS SUPPOkl kEDS.
Opposition to the Bolsheviki ap-
parently is increasing in Russia as
reports of German support of the
Maximalist government become more
pronounced and the situation in Rus.
sia grows more chaotic, while the Boil
sheviki endeavor to arrange a sepa-
rate peace with the central powers.
The Ukraine, in its hostility to the
Bolsheviki government, has been
Joined by the Russian staff on the
southwestern front and General
Stcherbatchef, the commander in
Roumania, has been appointed head
of the Ukrainian forces reported to
be marching against the Bolsheviki.
Another report reaching London
says that the Roumanlans have joined
the Ukrainians, while other dispatches
declare that former Premier keren-
sky is marching against Moscow and
that Grand Duke Nicholas is raising
a royalst arm in the Caucasus.
Meanwhile, diplomats of the central
powers are hurrying to begin peace
negotiations with the Bolsheviki. On
leaving Berlin the German emissaries
were urged by the populace to make
"a strong peace"
The lzvestia at Petrograd, Boil
sheviki organ, publishes what it says
is the text. .of the secret treaty drawn
up last year providing for joirt &C
ton by Russia and Japan to prevent
any third country from achieving po-
itical dominance in China. The treaty,
dated July 8, 1916, runs for five
years, automatically extending itself
until year aft. one party expresses
the desire to annuI it. 1t is signed by
Sergius Sazonoff, then Russian for
eign minister, and Viscount Motono,
Japanese foreign minister.
Soldiers Rioting in Petrograd.
Petrograd, Thursday, Dec. 2O.-In-
cessant fighting has occurred in many
parts of Petrograd in connection with
the efforts to check drunkenness and
prevent the raiding of wine cellars.
A mob raided one distillery where
IS soldiers drank themselves to death.
Fifteen persons. we're killed and
wounded when an armored motor
car attacked the distilIery, which was
set on fire.
The fire department was prevented
from extingulshing the blaze by
rowdies, and many persons were
burned before the situation was
brought under control.
The streets are running with wine
in many sections, where the soldiers
are pumping wine out of the cellars
to prevent disorder.
Treaty Not Directed at U. S.
Washington, Dec. 21.--Amcrican
officials said today they had no
knowledge of the so-called secret
treaty between Russia and Japan de-
acrIbed in the Petrograd dispatches,
but they considered that to describe
it as contemplating "joint armed dem
onstration against America and Great
Britain in the far east" was not borne
out by the text OF the published at
ticles.
There is a possibility that the
treaty referred to is the special con-
vention concluded between Russia
and Japan at about the same time as
the so-called secret treaty. 1t was
generally assumed here that the
treaty contained some secret pro-
visions, but its purpose was described
as being to safeguard the rights of
Japan and Russia in the far east; to
reconcile all outstanding issues be-
tween them and generally to follow
the lines Of the Anglo Japanese al
lance
At that time it was supposed that
the secret articles provided for the
sale by Russia to Japan of all of the
Manchurian railroad. south of Har-
bin; the transfer to Japan Of naviga-
ton rights in the Sugar. river and the
extension of fishing rights off the
coast of Siberia.
Will Not Ask Explanation.
1t is improbable that the United
States government alone will make
any effort to secure all explanation
of the meaning and purpose Of these
secret treaties from the principals,
but it is rather expected that one Of
the other of them voluntarily will
come forward with a statement.
Careful reading of the four pub
CONTINUED on Page Two, Column six.)
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