THE MAN WHO FREED SIBERIA

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 45, 18 November 1918, Page 7

THE MAN WHO FREED SIBERIA

COLONEL GAIDA A PERSONAL SKETCH (By Bernard' Falk, tho "Dailj; Mail" Correspondent in the Far Last.), It is. impossible rto. spend any length of time with the Czech Colonel Gaula, tho deliverer of Siberia, without carrying away a vivid impression of contact with a singularly strong personality. Snllqivcomplexioned, ho wears his liiiir—a coin-cideUc-n, ■of course—n la Napoleon, athwart a .broad forehead. He has . tho merest, suggestion of. a. moustache. J n conversation he carefully weighs, his words, and after committing himself lie is then immovable. Like most g'oud leaders .he enjoys tho affection of .his,troops, who think him ii wonder-worker and nro nev-ei- tired of- discussing him. _ "The situation is promising," lie said. "The Russians themselves are .raisins forces. The number in being .'already is not insignificant, and may easily bo trebled, but they are almost devoid of clothes and equipment. "What will happen in Russia largely depends on the Allies. Two things are vital to the sav-in*-of Russia-one, the Allies to come in with a unified policy from which there is it total absence of distracting consideration of particularistic interests; two, a firm resolution,of.non-interference , in the-internal affairs of Russia, but a concentration on the military problem. Whatever central Government emerges no.good will be achieved unless the principle of a military dictatorship is sustained, to which, everything is subsidiary. The sentiment of the people favours such a dictatorship. I do not refer , solely lo the'educated officer classes hnd bourgeoisie, but tovthe great mass, of peasants, who, besides bringing in their 19 and 20-year-old sons in response to the Omsk Government's mobilisation-order, are offering their 21 and 22-yenr-old sons* : and are asking officers, 'Why don't you wear your, former uniform's?' T>"peasants .we cured of any Bolshevism they, possessed. They have seen for themselves-what Bolshev-. ism means in an .economic sense, which touches them. Short of all -commodities and agricultural implements, they sadly realise ;t'ie : impotence of the Bolsheviki to help'them. ' : ' I "While Russia is working out her political' salvation, it is for. the Allies to assist her military effort -with money and glins and men. Personally. I am convinced that a more homogeneous Allied Army: would be better. .International , driblets, are worse than useless, and certain, merely to irritate Russian feeling. ■There should be big Allied .forces or none ■at nil. , On'nny front we constitute that which menaces the German hold oh the Ukraine with its fond possibilities and the Donetz basiifwith its mineral.wealth must he the most important sector for j the Allies.- Murmansk can .be held ivith'i .-email.- forces, but towards the Ukraine there is need for big forces, since Germany will ink release her grip without a I desperate struggle; and therefore may be j forcibly compelled- to divert troops from , the West.-She is already employing regular* there, whereas on the Volga and ( th-o Urals she. is relying- on prisoners, j Red Guards, and Lettish regiments.''