RUSSIAN AFFAIRS.

Grey River Argus, 12 January 1928, Page 5

RUSSIAN AFFAIRS.

SOVIET OPPONENTS BANISHED. BERLIN, January 10. Soviet circles confirm tlie"‘statement that fifty-two oppositionists, including Trotsky, have been ordered to be banished for three years, during which each will receive a pittance of nine roubles monthly. Some have already been deported to the Siberian wilderness or cholera areas. It is denied that Zinovieff and Kameneff have been banished. It is hinted "that the former secured immunity by writing an anti-Trotsky pamphlet. It is reported that Paitakoff, former trade representative in France, was ordered as a punishment to go to Australia to buy wool. Paitakoff is reported to have ironically replied: The first time I dealt in sheep was when I became opposed, to the Stalinities. Therefore I am not qualified to serve as a wool expert.’’ Trotsky boasts that only force will take him to banishment in Astrakan. The banishment of the oppositionists is a sequel to the restored discipline in factories where it found opposition propaganda too deep rooted. The Afoscow area is the worst of the lot. Secret political police wanted to imprison the offenders, but AI. Stalin insisted that banishment was sufficient. Among the sentenced and their destinations are: Pravadas, leader writer of the ’Sosnovski, and Ischenko both to Siberia; Smirnoff to Trans-Caspain area; Vukovitch, Communist International leader, to North Dvinsk and Rakovsky to Archangel. Meanwhile, Trotsky remains at Moscow, talking defiance.