22 DECEMBER 1917, Page 2

The civil war that began in Southern Russia a fortnight

ago continues to rage, but as the Anarchists control the Petrograd telegraph agency, no trustworthy news of the fighting is obtainable. It seems, however, that the 'Ukraine Government, which controls the whole of South-Western Russia, sympathizes with the Cossack movement and is hostile to the Petrograd Anarchists. It is possible that M. Trotsky will try to suppress the newly declared independence of the Ukraine, but it is uncertain whether the mutinous troops who would not fight the Germans can be induced to fight their fellow-countrymen. Great numbers of the soldiery have gone to their homes. The statement that Japanese troops bad been sent to Vladivostok has been contradicted by the Japanese Government and by our Foreign Office.