ORDEAL IN RUSSIA

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 18992, 17 April 1936, Page 10

ORDEAL IN RUSSIA

FACED FIRING SQUAD HEALTH SHATTERED LONDON, Feb. 26. When a Scotsman was summoned yesterday at Solihull, near Birmingham, for arrears of nites, his solicitor described the ordeal ho had undergone during the Russian revolution. His experiences were said to have shattered his health. Mr. A. Pardon Smith said that his client, during the war, belonged to the intelligence! Service and went to Russia. After serving in the Tsar's Air Force the defendant became Minister of Transport in the Jver.ensky Government, and was thrown into prison by the" Bolsheviks. One morning lie was taken out to face a firing squad, apparently as a bluff to make him talk. Ho was again placed in prison, this time in a. filthy cell infested by mice. He, remained a prisoner for several years, but eventually escaped. lie returned lo this country and obtained work, but owing to His ruined health ho could not keep the job. Mr. Smith said his client did not wish his name to be disclosed, adding: ''The tentacles of the Soviet authorities are long." The defendant was said to be now at work again, and an offer to pay something towards arrears was accepted.