SOVIET RUSSIA

Otago Witness, Issue 3525, 4 October 1921, Page 20

SOVIET RUSSIA

LORD CURZOX’S ALLEGATIONS. LONDON, September 25. It is understood that the Soviet’s reply to Lord Curzon’s Note states that the Russian Government, though fully convinced that there is no foundation for the accusations that the Bolshevists ai’e engaged in anti-British propaganda in India and neighbouring countries in contravention of M. Ivrassin’s trade agreement, is making fresh inquiries in order to refute the statements upon which Lord Cui’zon based his charges. ITALIAN AIRSHIPS PURCHASED. ROME, September 26. The Soviet has bought two Italian air ships which will shortly ilv to Moscow. The Italians who are to navigate them will remain to instruct the Russian crew. THOUSANDS DYING. STOCKHOLM, Sentember 26. An official report from Samara states that there is a terrible famine among the Tartars. Thousands are dying. A catastrophe is imminent unless food is sent quickly. THE VOLGA ZONE. PEASANTS’ HEROIC EFFORTS. LONDON, September 29. The Daily Chronicle’s special correspondent at Saratov relates a tragic story of the Volga zone. The authorities are making a big effort to stop trekking from the famine areas. Every village Soviet is prohibiting the people from removing heavy implements, cattle, and goods, so that only a comparative! v few now evade the regulation by escaping during the night time. But the greatest restraining influence has been the delivery of seed corn, which is encouraging the people to prepare foi the next harvest, and has greatly stimulated confidence in the Gov ernment. The commissioners have been forced to use some of the seed corn to feed the children. As one told me: “When you see the children picking over garbage h food you cannot tell them to wait tiil the next harvest. ' In some villages children were found lying dead in the streets. Many were mere skin and hones with faces like little old men and women. Failing help from abroad the people must starve by the beginning of December. The Volga gran

aides which contained 12,000,000 pounds of grain in 1920 are empty to-day. Fields normally producing 80 poods’ vield of barley are not worth harvesting. The peasants are ploughing the grain into the soil for next harvest. They are showing extraordinary heroism, working through the night by the light of lanterns in their anxiety to complete their winter sowing before the snow sets in, but already the wild geese are flying southwardly, and the peasants realise that it is a race for life. The authorities are endeavouring to light the cholera, but sanitary provision is impossible among the hulk of the people. RED CROSS GOODS TAXED. CHRISTIANIA, September 29. Great indignation has been caused by the announcement that Russia intends to claim an import duty of 15 per cent, on all food imports, including goods sent hv the Red Cross. The newspaper Aftenposten states that it is unintelligible how Russia can appeal to the world for food and simultaneously hinder its transportation. UNITE!) EFFORT NECESSARY. GENEVA, September 28. The League of Nations Commission on the Russian famine adopted the Assembly’s report, which stated that it- is necessary that everything should oe done to combat the scourge, and that the Governments of all countries should assist their national associations in their efforts to render help. VERDICT OE A GREAT SINGER. LONDON, October 1. M. Chaliapin, the famous Russian bass, has arrived in London on a concert tour, a fto.i which he will give 20 concerts in America. The proceeds will be for the Russian Famine Fund. fie described London as heaven after seven years in Russia. M. Chaliapin is on leave from the Soviet until December, and his wife and family arc held in Russia as hostages for his safe return. lie told an interviewer that the Russian famine conditions are worse than England imagines. He would not discuss .Bolshevism. M. Chaliapin sang with the late Signor Caruso in Milan in 1900. Mr Laurie Kennedy, cellist, of Sydney, supports M. Chaliapin. it is a great distinction, as M. Chaliapin is the world's greatest singer. [M. Ciieliapin was horn #t leastn in 1873. l-i hi!- played RusHau gi-aiul opera in all

the larger capitals of Europe. Mr Kennedy once toured New Zealand with the rest of the famous Kennedy family.] RUS SO -NOR WEG IA N AGREEM ENT. CHRISTIANIA, October 1. The Storthing (Norwegian Parliament) has ratified the trade agreement involving recognition of the Soviet, but not interfering with the question of Russia's debt to Norway, which the Soviet does not recognise.