RIGOROUS LAW

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 29, 29 October 1934, Page 10

RIGOROUS LAW

Desertion From Russia The text of the new Soviet treason law enacted by the Central Executive Committee on June 8 shows that the law particularly concerns the fighting forces and formally introduces the “hostage” system to secure good behaviour. Every near relation aged over 18 is held personally responsible for the loyalty of members of their families serving in the fighting forces. Persons serving in the fighting forces found guilty of any form of treason must without exception be shot. Civilians similarly guilty will in general be shot, but in mitigating circumstances may be imprisoned for 10 years.

The chief innovation introduced by the law concerns desertion across the frontier by persons serving in the fighting forces. All relatives over IS with whom the deserter recently lived or whom he supported until his desertion, even if they have not abetted, or known of his desertion, must be “deprived of their suffrage and banished to the remote regions o.f Siberia for five years.” If other relatives know of his intentions but have not informed the authorities the penalty includes confiscation of all belongings and imprisonment for from five to 10 years. To be deprived of suffrage is practically equivalent to being outlawed. Disfranchised persons comprise a special category officially called lichentsy, having duties but no rights of foodcards. They are largely priests, expriests, ex-policemen,’ and ex-officials of the Tsarist regime, kulaki and other class enemies.

The treason law is directed mainly against desertion from the Army and Air Force, but it is only slightly milder for civilian deserters. This appears, to be largely in connection with desertion from the Far East, where, besides five large Ogpu forced labour camps, great numbers of semi-free labour organisations are engaged In laying the basis of the “industrialisation of the Far East,” doubling the Baikal-Amur Railway, opening up coalmines, and building factories behind the lines for the FatEastern Army. One of the chief centres of this activity is “Komsomolck-on-Amur,” a new town established at the end of 1932 in virgin forest on the Amur, about halfway between Khabarovsk and Nikolaievsk. The camp here now numbers 20,090 labourers, largely peasants from the Ukraine and North Caucsus. Komsomolsk is being linked up with Khabarovsk by a new railway. Desertion is reported not only from the Ogpu camps but also from the “free” labour camps. Deserters apparently attempt to cross the frontier into Manchuria. The death penalty under the new decree is applicable to all these fugitives, as well as the banishment of relations.