RUSSIAN TROOPS STORY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LII, Issue 15948, 19 June 1915, Page 2 (Supplement)

RUSSIAN TROOPS STORY.

HANDFUL GREW TO VAST ARMY.

Oxk of the most persisted in and generally believed stories, concerning t-lye war was that of the passing of vast bodies of Russian troops through England and Scotland last autumn. How the rumour originated is explained by Mr. H. B. Steele, hon. secretary of the Press Representative Committee of the Press Bureau 'in the 1915 edition of "Sell's World's Press."

I The facts regarding the story arc simple. " A large num'oer of ltussian officers visited England to buy munitions of war or to ioin as attaches the staffs of the various commands then leaving for the front. With them, was a number of soldier servants, and the hulk travelled from Arkangel to Scottish ports. These officers and men were undoubtedly seen by reliable witnesses. "The War Office decided to change the location of camps of the territorials then in training, ami to secure this end the trains ware hand-signalled and moved at night with blinds drawn. The enginedrivers knew nothing of the loads thoy pulled. •' .Meanwhile some Scottish railway officials had corresponded with soiitiiern friends and talked of having.a lot of Russians travelling on their line. The' rest was easy, and the handful grew to an enormous army."