OBSCURITY OVER RUSSIA

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XLII, Issue 11618, 17 August 1918, Page 5

OBSCURITY OVER RUSSIA

BRITISH m THE CASPIAN ALSO IN PERSIA. London, August 15. The position in the west of Russia is very obscure. There is no official information about Lenin or Trotsky. There is a disquieting, though unconfirmed report that the Bolsheviks inflicted a severe defeat on the Oezchs at Samara. Some hope that Alexieff aud Nenekin’s forces south of the Volga may join hands aud relieve them. We Have now got a considerable force i*u the north-west of Persia, which met with little opposiliou except from Jaugal tribesmen, who are leagued with the^Bolsheviks. We have reached the Caspian Sea. British detachment went from Enzeli by sea, and reached Baku. They took over part of the defence of the town. The whole Allied force there totals 8000. They hold a line west of the town. There is a Turkish force of 10,000, of which 7000 are regulars. Neither side has many guns. General DckocJiieff commands the Allied forces. We cannot depend on holding Baku, but our object is to prevent enemy penetration towards Afghanistan.