PLIGHT OF RUSSIANS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21506, 1 June 1933, Page 11

PLIGHT OF RUSSIANS

SHORTAGE OF FOOD DISEASES ADD TO MISERY POTATO CROPS GUARDED SOVIET'S GRAVE PROBLEM By Telejrraph—Press Association—Copyright .(Received May 31. 5.5 p.m.) Times tablp LONDON. May 31 The Riga corespondent of the Times says the Soviet's attempts to convince the outside world that the conditions of semi-starvation everywhere in Russia are less bad than they are painted abroad are difficult to explain. The general distress caused by the shortage of food is accompanied by typhus, typhoid and other epidemics. This is plentifully reflected in the Soviet Press, even in the more strictly censored newspapers in Moscow and Leningrad. Tliey record numerous cases of peasants digging up potatoes for food, in spibo of armed held guards, who themselves frequently join the food seekers.

The Soviet is reported to be endeavouring tci buy foodstuffs on a large scale in the border States, also to be negotiating for the purchase of great quantities, of fresh meat to feed the mobilised population in North Caucasus, particularly in the Kuban region, where martial law has been proclaimed.