NORTH RUSSIAN FORCE

Auckland Star, Volume L, Issue 83, 7 April 1919, Page 5

NORTH RUSSIAN FORCE

A PERILOUS SITUATION.

RELIEF TO BE SENT,

SHACKLETOH URGES HASTE,

(Received 0.45 •__.) LONDON, April C. Tt. is officially announced that the War Office is preparing with the utmost rapidity a relieving force for Russia, to land at Murmansk, whence it will proceed at the earliest moment to the Archangel front. The main force followß in two sections. It is intended that the main force shall consist mostly of volunteers, for whom the War Office' is making an immediate appeal. Many officers who distinguished themselves in France and other theatres of war are applying to serve with that force.— (A. and N.Z.) Sir Ernest Shackelton, the famous explorer, who led an advance guard on the Archangel front, has returned from Murmansk to Archangel. Interviewed by Renter's correspondent, he said that the position of the Allied Northern forces was undoubtedly an anxious one. The Bolshevists were well equipped and organised and ably led. They largely outnumbered the Allies, hence both the Murmansk and Archangel fronts were in danger- It was not merely a question of saving our own troops, for half a million people threw in their lot with us, originally against Germans and at present against the Bolsheviks. Consequently there were moral obligations. There was a moral obligation to take definite action, and an announcement to that effect would be a spear-point thrust in the heart of Bolshevism and an incentive to Russian mobilisation.

Sir Ernest was confident that sufficient volunteers could be obtained to meet the situation. He urged that Britain had not yet realised what was at stake if the peril were not instantly grappled with. A three months' campaign by a volunteer army would break the Bolshevist monster, which was becoming far worse than German militarism. — (Reuter.), FOUR ATTACKS FAII_ CRITICAL TIME INEVITABLE. LONDON, April 6. A British official communique from North Russia says:—Four times on March 31 the Bolsheviks strongly attacked us east of Bolsheozerki, and again next morning. All the attacks were repulsed. The prisoners captured include a regimental commissary, who stated that there attacks were intended to be decisive.

The War Office reports that General Shkur captured Vladisvkas, finally defeating a Bolshevik army of 100,000, taking prisoners 50,000, and capturing 13 armoured trains, and 200 guns. The Bolsheviks have been expelled from the whole of the north of the Caucasus. General Shkur is successfully forming new divisions comprising Terek Cossacks, and others.— (A. and N.Z. and Renter.)

It is stated that the Bolsheviks assumed the offensive on April 1 and 2, and were repulsed. A renewed attack was made on April 3, but the result is still unknown. A critical time is inevitable untl the opening of the White Sea. The British river boats are now held up by ice around Archangel, whereas when the Dvina thaws the Bolsheviks will use armed steamers before the Allies. As the British hold the Murman railway it is hoped that some reinforcements may be rushed into Archangel by the middle of May.

Shiploads of aeroplanes blocked in the White Sea are now trying to reach Archangel. The food difficulty is increasing the danger.

The military situation at Odessa is fairly satisfactory, but food is so short that it may be impossible to hold the town.—(A. and N.Z. Cable.)

The Finnish troops in Northern Russia have deserted the Allies. Americans have been dispatched to replace them. Mr. Winston Churchill has telegraphed promising immediate aid.— (A. and N.Z.)

Delayed Russian advices assert that the whole of Galicia has joined the revolution. The movement began in the Brohobyoz oil districts, where a Soviet was established. It is also asserted that the Polish Government's troops have joined the revolutionaries, and a general strike has been declared in Lemberg. The Rumanians have crossed the frontier, and are advancing towards Stanislau. — (A. and N.Z. Cable.)

Trotsky has threatened to shoot all seamen on board two battleships and a few destroyers at Petrograd if they refuse to go to sea to meet the Allied fleet. It is reported that a detachment of Admiral Koltchak's Siberian force has got into touch with the Allied forces in the neighbourhood of Archangel.— (A. and N.Z. Cable.) A TOWN DEVASTATED. (Received 10.50 a.m.) VANCOUVER, April 5. Bolshevists devastated the town of Osca, 70 miles south-east of Perm, killing 2,000, including the educated classes.—, (A. and N.Z. Cable.)