Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-12-16
REPORT RECEIVED.
FROM PETROGRAD
ST|RS INTEREST
Effect, if True, on Future of
Russia, Can Scarcely
Be Surmised.
LENINE-TROTZKY COURSE
PUZZLING TO OBSERVERS
Russo-German Peace Negotia-
tons Said to Be Proceed
ing Apace. &
I.
ITALIAN FRONT STILL INTACT
Although Almost Ceaselessly As.
sailed In Mountain Region,
Line Holds Well.
ITALIAN FRONT STILL INTACT
Although Almost Ceaselessly As.
sailed in Mountain Region,
Line Holds Well.
IRx Associated presa1

BY Associated Press1 -
Nicholas Romanoff. former Emperor
OF Russia, deposed last March by the
revolutionists. and for several months
in confinement at Tobolsk. Siberia. Is
reported to have made his escape. ~
The report, unlike the previous
rumors to this effect. came through
the Bolsheviki headquarters in Petro-
grad. but u few hours later 1t was
officially denied by Bolsheviki leaders
that Nicholas had escaped. III
Previous reports OF the escape of
Nicholas had him making his way out
OF Siberia through HarbIn, Manchurfa.
The route to Harbin Is long one how
ever, and he would have 1000 miles to
travel before reaching the Pacific coast
from Tobolsk, although that place
itself is some $500 miles east Of Mos
COW. There remains the possibility that
Siberia itself might be safe asylum
for him for the time being, as that
vast province was reported last month
to have declared its Independence ana
to have named Nicholas. as Its EN-
peror. F:&g itA'siif' 50 Ssi..
EFFECT on BoLsHEVII<I
NOT EVEN ,SURMISED
The effect OF the escape of former
Emperor Nicholas upon BolsheyIk
sia could scarcely even be surmised.
so enigmatic In many ways has been
the recent course OF the Lenine-Trotzky
government in Petrograd, which nov
appears to be getting the upper hand
In many parts OF the country outside
the northern centcrs, overcoming the
opposition of the moro conservative
elements Some English correspondents
IN PctroErad. indeed, have latterly
come TO take the view that the Boil
sheVlki leaders were planning eventu-
ally to put monarchial form of eoyr
ernment in force after thew had 40
tablished their sway by drastic meas
ures. coupled with their hold on tha
proletariat through the popularity of
their land reform and peace measures.
Ihe Russo-German peace nerotia-
tions are reported proceeding apaca
German official announcement say,
the conditions and draft OF treaty.
nave been formulated, tho discussion.
having been put over from Friday to
saturday. however. as the Russian
delegates desired to obtain suppIe.
mentary instructions from their gov
ernment. Whether the word treaty,
rerers TO n formal peace treaty or
merely to the armstice agreement that
mad been pending is clear from tho
German announcement.
ITALIAN LINE INTACT
AND HOLDING WELL
The Italian front remains the oniy
major field OF military operations In
which there is moro than local actfv-
ity on the part of the infantry. Tho
Italian line. although almost cease.
lessly assailed in the mountain re-
sions. is still intact and holding we'll.
except for small recession here and
there forced at the cost of extremc,v
heavy casualties on the part OF the
Austro German invaders. Berlin claims
the taking OF more than 5000 pris-
oners in the fighting Of the last few
days and the repulse OF Italian coun-
terattacks on positions won by the
The Franco Belgian front is inactive.
except for local lighting, mostly due to
German thrusts here and there, dc. s
liVered with the seeming intention or
Keeping the Anglo-French command
guessing as to tho enemy intentions.
In Palestine the British have scored
a further advance northeast of Jer-
usnlcm.
In making known the sinking Of tyyo
more Norwegian steamers, the Nor
weGian government announces that
5000 Norwegian sailors have been lost
during the war. 6
Two airships Of tho nonrigid type
have been lost by the British, ono of
which was sunk by a seaplane in the
North Sea while on patrol, and tas
other being compelled 10 descend in
Dutch territory because OF engine
trouble The British Admiralty also
announces the sinking of British de,
stroyer through a collision, all bnt 4
two OF those on board being saved. rs