BOLSHEVISM

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17942, 22 May 1920, Page 9

BOLSHEVISM

— THE CASPIAN REGION. BRITISH. EVACUATE ENZELI. Press Association —By Telegraph—Copyright. < ' • LONDON, May 20. Owing to the Bolshevists' enormous superarity the British detachment at Enzeli, on the Caspian Sea, accepted the Bolshevist terms and quitted the town, ■where the invaders are now in full possession. [Enzeli is at the south-west corner of the Caspian Sea, roughly about midway between Teheran and Baku.] THE SITUATION SERIOUS. PERSIA ENDANGERED. LONDON, May 20. The Bolshevist capture of Enzeli (on. the Persian shore of the Caspian Sea) is regarded as most serious, more in view of the military helplessness of Persia, the new responsibilities of the British in Mid East, and the risks as regards India. It is assumed that the Bolshevists first aimed at the seizure of Denikin's volunteer fleet interned at Enzeli, but doubtless their ultimate purpose was the occupation of Teheran (capital of Persia). The situation is aggravated by the unreliability of Persia's Cossack division, of which 5000 men are reported to sympathise openly with Bolshevism. It is feared that the whole division will join the Reds. The Daily Mail estimates the British troops driven out of Enzeli at between 400 and 500. A handful remain at Tabriz, -whose fate, like those captured at Baku, is unknown. The whole situation, involves a seirous menace to our national prestige throughout the Middle East, and endangers vitally important oil interests in Persia. In the Houso of Commons Mr Bonar Law, in reply to a question, stated that the .new Anglo-Persian agreement did not involve Britain's obligations towards Persia.—A. and N.Z. Cable. THE POLISH REVERSE. ENORMOUS FOOD AND MILITARY SUPPLIES CAPTURED. \ _____ LONDON, May 20. A Mosoow wireless message claims that the Reds have occupied Disnalepel, and have forced the river in the Berezona sector for 20 miles.

They captured colossal food and military supplies in the region of Polzizr MoJedtchena. The Poles continue to retreat at several points, showing panic.— A. and N.Z: Cable. BOLSHEVISTS CLAIM SUCCESSES. LONDON, May 20. .(Received May 21, at 5.5 p.m.) A wireless Bolshevist communique says: We started a general advance in the Blotsk-Lepel region on May 14 on a 50 mile front, and penetrated to the PolotskMolodtcheno railway; also northwxad of Lepel we took a large number of prisoners.—A. and N.Z. Cable.