CRITICAL TIMES

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVII, Issue 10962, 26 July 1921, Page 5

CRITICAL TIMES

STARVATION IN RUSSIA DISAFFECTED SOLDIERS COMPLICATE POSITION. APPEAL FOR FOOD. By Telegraph—Press Assn.--Copyright. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Received July 25, 5.5 p.m ) LONDON. July 25. The “Daily Express’’ Berlin correspondent telegraphs that the panicstricken Soviet Government despairs of relieving unaided the thirty million starving peasantry. The Bolshevik leaders are now conferring wuth the old l ory leaders with a view to oojring with the most dreadful tragedy which ever afflicted Russia. The Soviet is faced by a grave .peril from the starving military, which already threaten to revolt; also the possibility of Trotsky proclaiming himself military dictator. Germany and the Central European States are sending relief conditionally that they are permitted to supervise the distribution. The Soviet Government, through Maxim Gorky, has appealed to German doctors for their services. All Soviet representatives abroad have been ordered to appeal to the Powers for food supplies. APPEAL FQ3 FUNDS AMERICA’S SINE QUA NON. (Received July 25, 8.20 p.m.) WASHINGTON, July 24. Sir H. C. Hoover, replying to Maxim Gorky’s appeal for relief for Russian women and children, said that a i.ino qua non is the release of American prisoners in Russia and absolute freedom of movement for American relief agents, in Russia. Mr Hoover’s reply points out that the American relief administration would accord such aid to the women, children, and sick as Russia was not officially able to afford, and could, if necessary, supplement the food, clothing, and medical supplies for a million children in Russia as soon as the.organisation could be effected. The reply concludes: “The conditions of such relief are identically the same as those established in every one of the twentythree countries where operations have been conducted. These are: — “(1) The Moscow Soviet is authorised to inform the relief administration at Riga of suoh relief as is necessary. “(2) The American representatives of the relief administration shall be given full liberty to come and go and move about Russia.

“(3) These representatives shall be allowed to organise the necessary local committees and local assistance free from governmental interference. “(4) They shall be given free transportation for imported supplies, with priority over traffic. , “(5) The authorities shall assign the necessary buildings, equipment,' and fuel gratuitously. “(6) In addition to imported food, clothing, and medicines, children and the siok must be given the same rations and sncli local supplies as are given the rest of the population. “(7) The relief organisation promises to distribute, without consideration of race, creed, of colour, and will not engage in political activities.”