RUSSIAN AFFAIRS.

Press, Volume LV, Issue 16654, 15 October 1919, Page 7

RUSSIAN AFFAIRS.

THE MURMANSK FRONT

BRITISH WITHDRAWAL. (By Cable—Press Association—Copyxieiht.l (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) LONDON, October 13. With, the departure of the last troopship from Murmansk, tho British evacuation of North Russia has been completed. Tho King sent a message to General ' Rawlinson, congratulating him upon ! his success with a d : fficult operation. The skill, courage, discipline, and endurance displayed enabled tho troops to be withdrawn from contact with the enemy, transported great distances and embarked with practically no loss of life. It was especially gratifying that tho ■withdrawal was effected in such a manner as to leavo the loyal Russian forces in a position favourable for continuing an active and resolute defence. DENIKIN v, PETLURA. | LONDON, October 13. The hostilities between General Denikin and General Petlura axe progressing. General Denikin reports tho defeat of General Petlura's 9th Division, with the occupation of several villages in the direction of Zhmarka, and tho capture of 1550 Bolsheviks on the Don front. Tho Don Cossacks are successfully advancing on the left bank of tho Don. Twelve hundred Bolsheviks wcro captured in tho vicinity of the Medievitz rivor. A Bolshevik battalion was taken prisoner in the Pavlovsk region. There was a fierce strugglo near Orel. In beating off 18 regiments of Reds, 3500 prisoners were taken, also four guns. The capture of Tchernigoff, in tho region of Kieff, is reported. YUDENITCH'S ADVANCE. LONDON, October 13. General Yudenitch's troops crosscd tho Luga (about 75 milo3 south of Petrograd), with many tanks, which were most effoctive against tho Bolsheviks. Airmen flew simultaneously a long distance over the enemy's lines, bombing and wrecking trains, and disorganising supplies Tho Bolshevik's retreated to Yamburg. They aro about to withdraw, as they consider Pskoff is seriously menaced on the flank. Candid observers scout General Yudenitch's hope of reaching Potrograd with his ragged, ill-supplied army of 16.000. , The Bolsheviks have abandoned Pskoff. A Bolshevik -wireless message admits tho loss of Yamburg, after fierce fighting. FURTHER PROGRESS. (Received October 14th, 9.45 p.m.) COPENHAGEN, October 13. General Yudenitch is advancing on the whole front, after capturing the Divisional Staff of the Red Army and many prisoners and machine-guns. THE BALTIC TANGLE. ALLIES BLOCKADE GERMANY-. BERLIN, October 13. The Entente, in announcing the blockade, says the fact that von der Goltz, on visiting Berlin, was permitted to return to tho Baltic' States, is a sign that Germany is pursuing underhand plans there. The blockade will cease only on a satisfactory report from the new Ententes/Mission controlling Germany's action in the Baltic States. • According to the Stettin "Ardenpost," a telegram from London has reached the German Government and has been re-transmitted to the Baltic Port authorities, informing them that owing to the attack on Riga, free passage permits for the German ships in the Baltic have been provisionally withdrawn. All ships now in the Baltic must he recalled, and no other ships permitted to put to sea. All vessels encountered in the Baltic are liable to seizure. OTJTCRY IN BERLIN. (United Scrvico.) (Received October 14th, 7.20 p.m.) BERLIN, October 13 % A sensation was caused in Berlin by "Freiheit" demanding the dismissal and punishment of all remotely concerned with tho Baltic adventure. "Vorwaerts" maintains _ tho official standpoint, and tho "Freiheit" has been suspended for three days, allegedly because of inciting the,people. Herr Muller, in an angry speech, said, that tho lilies wore recommending the murder of women and children. He claimed that tho Government was helpJess.

There is no answer to the question why the German Government paid and fed the troops in Courland, and why von der Goltz was brought to Berljn nnd then sent back to Courland with ■complete plans for camouflaging his troops as Russians. Colonel Bermondt's Mstory is peculiar. General Yudenitch appointed him to the command of the anti-Bolshevik troops in Courland and Lithuania. Bermondt proceeded to Narvia, whence he <;ould not be got to move, and ho now commands an army much stronger than that undor Yudenitch.

The Baltic blockade as already complete. Even tli© ferries have stopped, and the German shipowners are sendfae wireless messages recalling their et<wmers.

The Allies' stern Note has created unmistakeable embarrassment. There is an evident desire to escape acceptance of the decided commitnients towards Russia. ( Theodore Wolff advises the Government to develop a definite Russian prO-' gramme.

The "Tnglioho Rundschau" insists tnat there will "be a great increase of Spartacists in Germany if the troops are compelled to return from the Baltic. BERMONDPS OPERATIONS. LONDON, October 13. A telegram via Basle states that long columns of Esthonians have left for Riga to reinforce the Lettish lines. Other Esthonians have shipped to Libau. idPf Helsin Sfor3 correspondent of the Daily Telegraph" states that Colonel Bermondt on Saturday carried the district of Riga on the "left bank of the £J v . e r• , The city is greatly damaged bv .b riday s bombardment, the majority of the houses along the railway being destroyed Many of the 'inhabitants were killed or wounded. The majoof the attackers were German. Colonel Bermondt sent a wireless message to the commander of the Lettish Army, proposing a truce, to avoid bloodshed, and the initiation of negotiations at Mitau for joint action against the Bolsheviks. T , J , IC I G ® rm . an Foreign Minister (Herr Muller) denies all knowledge of the West Russian Government, which apparently consists solely of Colonel Bermondt, a soldier of fortune, who now claims the title of Prince Avnloff. He served with the Russians against Japan, and was among tho 12000 Russian officers "whom the German Government rescued at Kieff from the fury of Gene"l Petlura's followers. Many of his IDjOOO troops are disbanded German office" seeking adventure. The Riga correspondent of the "Daily Jsews ' says that the barefooted Letts are _ full of spirit, but have few rifles against an enemy who is supplied "with ©very technical device, including gai,

against maskless men. They are so ill-equiopej inth ammunition that firing on the Germans' numerous aeroplanes is prohibited. British destroyers have arrived, and cne word fromEngland would prevent the passage of the Dvina. The Esthorinns and Letts do not. support General Yudenitch, who represents the North-Western Russian Government, which was formed under the regis of the Allied Mission as part of the Kolehak-Donikin movement. Tliis Government does not recognise Baltic independence; thus three armies nro in action. General Yudcnitch's, the Independents, and Colonel Bermondt's, the last being pro-German Baltic Barons.

j LETTS STILL HOLD RIGA. n (United Service.) (Received October 14th, 7.20 p.m.} LONDON, October 13. s American correspondents in the Baltic , agree that the Esthoninns and Letts are 1 more afraid of the Gorman advance s than tlipv aro of the Bolsheviks, s The representative of the "Chicago r Tribune"' slates that the Letts aro j hastening ilio peace negotiations with , tho Bolsheviks with a view to bringing all tlieir forces against the Germans. - Tho correspondent adds that Finland - and Esthunia are placing hindrances in the way of tho Allies' civil and mSlitarv representatives. There is a strong movement toward-. ]x?ace with the Soviets, who promise independence. The latest telegrams aescribo extm- . ordinary scenes at Riga part of -which ■".ho Letts hold. They have destroyed the bridges across the Drina, but Iwo 3 a drawbridge by which tliey can secure •connexion with tho other part of tha city. German aeroplanes, flying low, scatter bullets, bomb tho Lettish guns, and direct tho German fire. Some shops arn open, but tlio streets are almost deserted'. Tho Letts are still holding Riga. Colonel Bermondt's troops are fighting for Thorcnsberg, a suburb of tho city. ARMISTICE OPPOSED. (Received October 15th. 1.25 a.m.) COPENHAGEN. October 14. A Lettish communique, dated fhe 12th insfc., states: —The Letts succeeded in recrossing tho tho direction of Mitau, and occupying the suburbs of Ripa on the left bank. Mobilisation is in fnll swing everywhere in Livona. The Cabinet and National Council, as well as the Goverriment officials, moved to Wendon on the. 10th. but the Premief" and Minister of Justice have now re- ■ turned to Riga. The ontire Lettish Press opposes the acceptance of Bermondt's offer of an armistice, on the ground that previous experience shows | that tho Germans in Courland cannot Tieep treaties. VON DER GOLTZ RETURNING. (Received October 14th, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, October 13. A German wireless states that von der Goltz is en route to Berlin. The Riga correspondent of the "Daily Chronicle" states that the third day's bombardment, prior to Colonel Bermondt's offer of a truce, decreased in violence. The Germans no longer threaten the centre of the city. They are concentrating for an L attempted crossing six miles sonth- , ward. The shops are barricaded. ; Four British and two French destroyers are at the entrance to the river defending the Letts' flank. Colonel Berkais and two thousand Letts are determined to resist to *tho death. WORKING FOR THE FATHERLAND. (United Service.) (Received October 14th, 11.20 p.m.) LONDON, October 14. Von der Goltz, interviewed for a Finxiish. newspaper, admitted that the German Government had equipped the troops in Courland, including the Russians. He added that though the army was no longer German, it had embarked on a most important work for the Fatherland. "The Times," in a leader, says that Bolshevik rule is apparently nearing its end, and may collapse suddenly before the pressure of General Dsnikin. The real contest is now between the Germans, who know their own minds, and the Allies, who have not yet proved they have any mind in Russian affairs. In spite of the desperate desire for peaoo and the avoidance of further expenditure, the Allies must face the dangers of the position and forestall Germany, thus we are the real friends of Russia, anti also actively assist in the restoration and enlist the support of Poland, establishing a permanent barrier b*e"tween Germany and Russia. EVACUATION OF MOSCOW^ (Received October 15th, 12.80 a.m.) LONDON, October 14. A wireless message has reached Berlin announcing tho evacuation of Moscow.