https://www.thetimes.co.uk/edition/register/bolshevist-counsels-of-despair-nz7zbzj7g
february 23, 1918
The news today indicates that the Germans continue to advance along the line to Reval, Pskoff, and Minsk, while the Austrians and Ukrainians are verging on Kieff. The Russian soldiers are offering little or no resistance. According to one of tonight’s papers, no less than 27 trains have been seized by them, and are conveying some 40,000 demobilized men back to Moscow. The Germans are not taking any prisoners; they only disarm the Russians and set them free. German proclamations are being distributed by aeroplanes calling upon the inhabitants to remain calm and to preserve order as the Germans are coming to suppress anarchy and will even introduce food supplies as soon as possible.
Great perturbation and pessimism reign in Bolshevist circles. Meetings of the Council of Commissioners and Bolshevist partisans, together with members of the Left wing of the Revolutionary Socialist Party, are taking place at Smolny and in the Tauris Palace day and night. M Trotsky is reported to be ill and unable to attend, owing to the effect upon his health of the German renewal of hostilities.
february 23, 1918
Bolshevist counsels of despair
Great perturbation and pessimism reign in Bolshevist circles. Meetings of the Council of Commissioners and Bolshevist partisans, together with members of the Left wing of the Revolutionary Socialist Party, are taking place at Smolny and in the Tauris Palace day and night. M Trotsky is reported to be ill and unable to attend, owing to the effect upon his health of the German renewal of hostilities.
The People’s Commissioners have decided to order a general mobilization of the whole male population. The appeal orders the formation of a Red National Army, with iron discipline and free from hooligans and marauders, for the purpose of defending the Revolution with the last drop of Russian blood.
The conviction that Petrograd is the ultimate objective of the German advance has produced considerable commotion and no little anxiety among the remaining members of the British colony here. The British Consulate is crowded with agitated inquirers desirous of getting away as soon as possible. A certain number will, of course, be obliged to stay in any case owing to family or business ties, old age, or illness. It is hoped that the Germans will not repeat the atrocities practised at the beginning of the war. A British military order has been issued for all British subjects of military age in Petrograd who hitherto have enjoyed exemption on various grounds to hold themselves ready to start home at six hours’ notice. Other British subjects who are able to go, especially women and children, are advised to leave without delay.
The conviction that Petrograd is the ultimate objective of the German advance has produced considerable commotion and no little anxiety among the remaining members of the British colony here. The British Consulate is crowded with agitated inquirers desirous of getting away as soon as possible. A certain number will, of course, be obliged to stay in any case owing to family or business ties, old age, or illness. It is hoped that the Germans will not repeat the atrocities practised at the beginning of the war. A British military order has been issued for all British subjects of military age in Petrograd who hitherto have enjoyed exemption on various grounds to hold themselves ready to start home at six hours’ notice. Other British subjects who are able to go, especially women and children, are advised to leave without delay.
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