SOVIET REFUGEES.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 261, 4 November 1929, Page 7

SOVIET REFUGEES.

PRISON ATROCITIES. Revolting Story Of Bolshevik Cruelty. APPALLING CONDITIONS. (TJniced PA.— Electric Telegraph—Copyright) (Received 12.30 p.m.) EELSLNGFOES, November 3. Finnish guards have discovered thirteen Russian refugees, including a woman, pitiably exhausted on the Lapland ' frontier. They declare that they escaped from the dreadful Bolshevik prison on Solovyetsk Island, in the White Sea, after knocking down a guard and warders ■while they -were ■sorbins in a forest. Tie refugees say they staler ed err eat hardships throughout their march and assert that a reign or terror prevails at Solovretsk, aggravated by the shockingly "insanitary conditions. Prisoners are dying daily. The refugees are all young, but look a*ed and emaciated. Recently they vTere sent to the mainland to build blockhouses, and when they heard the Finnish frontier was near they decided to escape. They attacked the gaolers with axes, secured food and a rifle, and wandered for a fortnight in deep forests. Finally they ate berries and moss. The escapees describe the appalling conditions at Solovyetsk. The prisoners are housed in ice cold barracks. Food IS venr sca rce and medical attention is lacking The filth i≤ indescribable and torture is inflicted daily for the smallest offences. The gaolers* brutality, especially to women, is unspeakable. Over 100 religious prisoners in February, who displeased their gaolers, were sentenced to death. Their hands and feet were cut off, after which they were thrown into graves which they were previously forced to dig. There they were left to slowly perish.