The Watertown news. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1917-1919, 1918-02-27
GERMAN TROOPS
NEAR PETROGRAD
Fall of Russian Capital Is Immi-
nent-U. S. Envoy
Leaves.
SOVIET ARMIES RESIST FOE
Reds Fight Teutons at Pskov, Which
Has Changed Hands Several
Tlmes-Bolsheviki Move
Headquarters.

London, Feb. PA dispatch to the
Exchange Telegraph from Petrograd
reports that there has been a disagree
ment in the council Of workmen's and
soldiers delegates regarding the evac-
uation of Petrograd, and that the re-
tirement of Leon Trotzky, the bolshe-
vik foreign minister, Is imminent.
Washington, Feb. 27.-News Of the
capture Of Petrograd by the German
military forces now advancing rapidly
toward the Russian capital Qf 1t has
not already been taken) Is hourly ex-
pected.
The state department announced the
receipt of a cablegram from David r.
Francis, the American ambassador at
Petrograd, which said that, while the
bolsheviki had agreed to the German
peace terms, the Germans were con-
tinuing to advance rapidly into Rus
sia.
Ambassador Francis message was
sent Monday afternoon, and stated
that at that time the German forces
were within eight hours of the cap
ital.
Envoy Believed Out of City.
Ambassador Francis informed the
department that he was leaving Petro-
grad Immediately "if he can" This
was interpreted as meaning that by
this time the ambassador was we'll on
his way eastward.
The envoy said that he was leaving
with the diplomatic representatives Of
Japan, China and Siam.
Reds Fight for Pskov.
London, Feb. PA Petrograd dis
patch to the Exchange Telegraph COM
pany says:
"That resistance to the German ad-
vance is growing is shown by the re-
ports of fighting which continues in
the vicinity of Pskov, $50 miles south
west of Petrograd. This town has
changed hands several times. The
German detachments which first en-
tered Pskov were very small, but they
have since been REINFORCED.
"There is a general belief that the
Germans are moving forward hastily
because supplies of ammunition worth
400 100000 rubles ($2O6, ,0O0OO0) are
concentrated in the neighborhood of
Pskov. The Russians. however, are
taking measures to guard the railway
and are sending more Soviet troops to
Pskov."
Later advices say that the Soviet
ic%i
the invaders.
The capture of Pskov by the Ger
mans was announced in the official
statement issued at Berlin.
Red Headquarters Moved.
The bolshevik headquarters have
been transferred from the Smolny In
stitute in Petrograd tc a military
camp, according to another Exchange
Telegraph dispatch from Petrograd,
dated Monday.
At this camp the workmen of the
city are assembling en- masse carry
ing red banners and fighting detach-
ments are being formed continually.
It Is reported that the council OF
peoples commissaries, which forms the
bolshevik governing body, has decided
to remain at the Smolny institute, au-
though the military activities have
been shifted elsewhere.
Germans Take koIenkoWitz
Berlin, Feb. 27.-General Won Lin
singen's forces, operating in Volhynia,
have captured the town of Kolenko-
witz by storm, the German general
staff announced.
Petrograd Entrenches.
Petrograd, Feb. 27-Blaring sirens
awoke sleeping Petrograd, signifying
to the inhabitants that the Germans
had entered Pskov. The blasts of the
whistles also served as summons to
begin digging trenches for the defense
Of the capital.
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