RUSSIAN EVENTS

Southland Times, Issue 20207, 18 June 1927, Page 7

RUSSIAN EVENTS

THE VOIKOFF SHOOTING. KOWERDA EXPRESSES SORROW. Warsaw, June 16. ‘Russia; poor Russia” was Kowerda’s only remark when he shot Voikoff, according to Rosengoltz's evidence. Wowerda’ father gave evidence that his son was forcibly drafted into the Soviet Army against Poland. The son was of a quiet disposition but was unnerved by his sufferings during the Red Terror of 1917-20. Kowerda in a statement said he suffered dreadfully in boyhood. He hoped Russia would again be happy. He was sorry for his action but he had been worried about Poland.—A. and N.Z. SENTENCED TO DEATH FOR ESPIONAGE. Moscow, June 16. A naval and military tribunal has sentenced Klepikoff, a former commander of a ship in the Baltic Fleet, to death on a charge of espionage for England. His wife was sentenced to three years’ imprisonment. —A. and N.Z. KOWERDA’S SENTENCE CRITICISED. SOVIET AND POLAND. (Rec. 7.15 p.m.) London, June 17. The Moscow newspaper, Isvestia, as expected, considers Kowerda’s sentence inadequate and says it will provoke just inidgnation in Russia, whose demands for participation in the trial and a severe verdict have been practically rejected. The Soviet is awaiting the Polish Government’s attitude as regards the third demand, viz., the liquidation of the White Guard and terrorist organisations before concluding how far the Polish Government’s declarations of good neighbourship conform to facts.—A. and N.Z.