RUSSIA.

Taranaki Daily News, 15 September 1919, Page 5

RUSSIA.

BOLSHEVIK FORCES AGGRESSIVE, SIBERIAN SITUATION IMPROVED. By Telegraph.—P» - eßs Assn.—Copyright. London, Sept. 11. The Australian Press Association learns that Wrangel's troops in the Don area have been driven back by the Bolsheviks and now are endeavoring to hold the defensive line covering Tsaritsyn. The situation of the Siberian army has improved owing to the Bolsheviks withdrawing large forces for the effort against Denikin. Severe fighting occurred west of Shim, 130 miles southwest of Tobolsh, the Bolsheviks suffering heavy losses—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. SUCCESS OF KOLTCHAK.

OMSK NO LONGER MENACED. Received Sept. 14, 5.5 p.m. New York, Sept. 13. The Times' Washington correspondent says that Omsk advices state that General Koltchak's Siberian army continues successful operations against the Bolsheviks, and that Omsk is no longer menaced.—Aus. N.Z. Cable Assoc.

CONFESSION OF FAILURE. RESULT OF CONVERGING OFFENSIVE. Received kept. 14, 5.5 p.m. London, Sept. 13. Advices from Moscow state that Trotsky has declared that the Soviets will be unable to continue the war through the winter, owing to Deniken's and Koltchik's converging offensive. It is expeoted that the Workers' and Soldiers' Council at Moscow will favor peace negotiations.—Aus. N.Z. Cable Assoc.

BOLSHEVIK REPORTS. 13,000 MEN REPORTED TO HAVE SURRENDERED. Received Sept. 13, 5.5 p.m. London, Sept. 12. Wireless reports from Moscow claim great successes and an advance in Turkestan with large captures of prisoners. It is also claimed that 12,000 of Admiral Koltchak's army surrendered between Aktuibinskoe and Omsk, southward of Oronburg.—Times Service.

Received Sept, 14, 5.5 p.m. London, Sept. 13. A Bolshevik wireless communique claims that a delegation of Koltchak's southern army, numbering from fifteen to twenty thousand, offered to surrender.

The communique adds: "We captured a further 12,001) at Aktiubinsk, in the Omsk region, and an additional 5000 surrendered. Koltchak, accompanied by General Knox, has proceeded to the front.—Aus. N.Z. Cable Assoc.

Received Sept. 14, 5.5 p.m. London, Sept. 13. A further Bolshevik wireless communique claims that 45,000 of General Koltchak's southern army surrendered Jast week, with a full equipment of artillery, baggage, and money.—Aus. N.Z. Cable Assoc. FINNISH RED ARMY. WOMEN EXECUTIONERS. Received Sept. 13, 5.5 p.m. London, Sept. 12. It is reported from Helsingfors that the Finnish Red Army includes twenty women executioners, ' An instance is given where they unhesitatingly executed a party of Russians on whom the Russian Red Army refused to carry out the death sentence.—Reuter.

MR CHURCHILL DEFENDS BRITAIN'S POLICY. London, Sept. 11. Mr Winston Churchill, in reply to criticism of th'e Russian policy, says, in reference to the allegations published in the press by Lieut.-Colonel Sherwood Kelly regarding British operations in North Russia, that Colonel Kelly was removed from his post on August 10 and sent back to England for a serious offence against the Army Act. General Rawlinson reported that he only refrained from court-martialling him owing to his.gallant record. Colonel Sherwood Kelly had now, by his further action, become an offender against the King's regulations, and would be subjected to disciplinary action. Mr Churchill proceeds to recapitulate the steps taken and already published in connection with the British withdrawal and refers to the upsetting of the British plans to withdraw from North Russia without risk, difficulty, or Hnxiety as regards the fate of the North Russian Government and army owing to failure of Admiral Koitchak's plan to join up with the North Russians. It is not prbposed to issue any statement of policy regarding the progress of operations until British lives are no longer endangered by publicity or Russian national interests prejudiced. Referring to numerous rumors about forces in the Baltic States and on the Petrograd front, which are chiefly ascribed to Bolshevik wireless reports, Mr Churchill says that no British were ever employed there nor lias the British Government ever accepted responsibility for these military operations. We only furnished munitions and advice, and the British navy, with its superb efficiency, prevented the Bolsheviks from raiding Baltic pons. Ho points out in regard to this matter that the Baltic States are subjected to social dangers from Bolsheviks and poliieal dangers from Germany. These cannot be averted single-handed by Britain, but they have engaged the attention of the Peace Conference for some time. The problem can only be grappled with by the victorious Allies acting coneertedly. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

COLONEL KELLY'S REPLY. Received Sept. 15, 1.15 p.m. London, Sept. 13. Colonel Sherwood Kelly, in a letter to the Daily Express, gives the texts of letters informing him that hia only offence consisted of writing a letter criticising and condemning the operations in North Russia. He says he wrote it with Ilia deliberate intention of being sent Home, as he knew the censor would see it. fieneral Ironside 9tated the only offence was tho censored letter, and offered him a better job if he stayed, or <,; x months' leave and the command of a reserve battalion in England. Colonel Kelly found, when he reached England, that General Rawlinson had not confirmed General offer.—-Aug.-N,Z, CRW« Amu,