TERRORISM IN RUSSIA.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 14448, 7 November 1917, Page 3

TERRORISM IN RUSSIA.

A-RMEtD BANBS LAYING THEI COUNTRYSIDE WASTE.

ROBBERIES A&D MURDERS

1 Australian and N-Z. Cabl« Awociation.)

(ißoceived. November 7, 10.20 a.m.) LONDON, Novemher 6. The Morning Post's Petrograd corespondent states -. "It is time to tell' the truth about conditions. Whole regions of Ehu-opean Russia -are terrorised by armed bands, known as "Tovarisci,'" who are laying waste the countryside. Bprses and cattle have been slaughtered, arid the carcases left rotting, m .the fields. Breadstuffs have been deliberately set aTnght. Spirit stores have heen burnt. Tlie peasantry have joined the bands and share the pillage. Debauches of drunkenness are alarmingly increasing," thousands drinking methylated spirits and others instituting private stills. At Moscow the revolt m 1905 fizzled out m a pandemonium of drink and- vice. It' looks like the Petrograd revolt doing the same thing. The "Tovarisci", wearing the uniforms of soldiers, are acting like professional crimnals. Several hundred robberies with, violence axe reported at Petrograd daily, though many sufferers no not trouble to lodge complaints. The murders, committed with impunity, are beyond estimate. . ' „ . i Gangs of "Tovarrisci" openly, and m daylight, rob houses and shops, carrying off the proceeds on motor lorries. Yestereday a score of "Tovarisci" held up a main thoroughfare, and robbed every passenger of money and valuables. Occasaonal'ly the crowd lynch a, few rohbers.

All shops are clearing the goods into cellars ,and private houses are barricading the lower floors.

As Germany is importing into .Russia arms and agents capable of becoming "leaders of revolt it is not strange that Petrograd is m a perpetual state of alarrh and confusion.