The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-03-18
GERMANS TAKE
NIK0LAYEV, BIG
WHEAT CENTRE
Black Sea Naval Base Has
100000 Bushels in
Her Granaries.
EXPLOITATION IS BEGUN
Albert Ballin and Herr
LanghOf Sent to PetrOgrad
to Lay Groundwork.
EXPLOITATION IS BEGUN

LONDON. March II. - The Germans
Odessa. according to Reuter- despatch
from Pdrograd. Nikolayev is situated
about sixty miles east and a little north
from Odessa. on the Bug River. twenty
miles above its mouth.
Both Odessa and Nikolayev were
taken without fighting. The feet at
Odessa had fled to Sebastopol. The Ger
mans Immediately suppressed the Soviets
in both cities and seized the naval yards
at Nikolayev
The German advance continues in the
direction Of Kherson. The first train
direct from Berlin arrived IN ODESSA
Yesterday
Although 1t is customary to speak Of
Odessa as the chief grain centre Of Rus
sia. that position is really occupied by
Nikolayev. where most OF the export
trade in wheat Is concentrated. Aside
from this. the city, which is very
strongly fortified is an important naval
base, the headquarters of the Black Sea
fleet and the seat OF military governor,
who commands 1t. 1t has also a great
navy yard. covering nearly 200 acres. and
has had 10. 900 men at work there in re-
cent years building ships
An American grain dealer who re.
Gently visited Nikolayev reported that
the storehouscs there probably contained
about 10000 bushels Of wheat.
The Reuter- correspondent at Petrograd
says that strong detachments of the Red
Army on Friday night arrested regi-
ment OF the Priebrajinsky guards on
suspicion of counter revolutionary de-
signs NJ. Joff. who was chairman Of
the Russian peace delegation at Brest-
L,tovsk. has been appointed Russian
Ambassador at Berlin.
An indication OF the extent to which
Germany is planning to exploit the in
dustrial and commercial resources OF
Russia is given by despatch from
Petrograd stating that Albert Balm, d.
rector general OF the Hamburg American
Steamship Line, and Herr Langhof a
Pruss!an financier. are expected there on
a business mission.
Herr Balm is one OF the principal
figures in the German business world,
and for n long time was looked upon az
the chief figure. He was regarded as the
Kaisers chief adviser In business af-
fairs. although recently he has been out
severe criticism of the Government
policy as not sufficiently liberal. That
n man OF his character should be sent to
Russia is significant.
The evacuation OF PetroSrad has been
completed, according to IA Reuter- des-
patch from that city, quoting an official
communication None OF the population
will he permitted to leave the cit! here
after. and to make certain that the order
is obeyed all passenger train service has
been suspended.
Newspapers Are Reappearing.
The Council OF Commissaries OF the
Commune OF PetroGrad," which will be
the official designation OF Petrograd and
the district surrounding il in future. has
authorized the temperance Of all So
oal.cd bourgeois newspapers which had
been suppressed since the beginning Of the
German offensive.
Occupation by the Turks Of the entire
Batum region has been confirmed.
Latest details OF the German occupa-
ton Of Abo. Finland. state that 5000
troops with artillery came from the
Aland Islands in several transports.
preceded by an ice breaker The Red
Guards refused to surrender and the
Germans bombarded the town for half
tire The Germans seized three Russian
torpedo boats ana some mine sweepers.
The Finnish Council is prepared to
arrange a compromise with the Ger
mans. n is said the Germans have de
manded the disarmament of the Red
Guard
Communication from stockholm to
Helsiugfors and other points in southern
Finland was broken for time to day
and 1t was believed that the Germans
had cut the cable between Sweden and
The Aland Islands. Later, however
communication was restored.
Banks to He DcnatiOnaIixcd.
The wife OF Grand Duke Michael has
requested permission to follow her hus-
band into exile. 1t is reported in Petro-
grad that. under German pressure. the
banks will soon be denationaliZed.
Having been offered by the "Courland
National Council the title OF Duke OF
Courland according to German news
paper reports, Emperor William has
Continued on Third Page.
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