SIBERIAN COSSACKS.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIX, Issue 149, 24 June 1918, Page 5

SIBERIAN COSSACKS.

I ' DRIVEN OVER THE FRONTIER. MAY DESERT TO BOLSHEVIKS. CHjNA READY FOR ACTION.

(Received 9-35 a.m.)'

PEKING, June 23. General Semenoff, commander of the Cossacks in Eastern -Siberia, has been forced to retreat hastily to the Chinese frontier. Three thousand Cossacks, after killing their officers, went over to the enemy, while the Red Guards threatened to cut off SomcnoftV retreat. The Bolsheviks occupied the railway between Borzia and the Manchurian stations adjacent. The frontier is strongly held by Chinese troops, with orders not to interfere with the Bolsheviks unless the frontier is threatened. The "Daily Mail's" Peking correspondent interviewed the Premier, Wang iShih Ching, who said that Chinese soldiers near the frontier and Harbin were available to co-operate with th« Japanese. He hoped that the Canton rebellion would be quelled in two months, when more troops would be sent to the frontier. On the whole, he was alxsolutely confident that the patience and tenacity of the Allies, would be rewarded -by victory. Every nation! admired the high idealism which drove Britain into the war. and prayed that Heaven would bless Britain's arms. He announced his intention, after the war. to open up China by mineral and railway development.— (A. and N.Z.)