The Taranaki Herald. DAILY EVENING. WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 1920. GENERAL WRANGEL’S DEFEAT.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 16895, 17 November 1920, Page 2

The Taranaki Herald. DAILY EVENING. WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 1920. GENERAL WRANGEL’S DEFEAT.

-The decisive defeat of General Wrangel in South Russia is another triumph for the Bolsheviks and appears for the time being to make them masters of the north coast of the Black Sea. The South Russians of the Ukraine and the Don Cossacks further cast have never taken kindly to Bolshevik rule and this district has been the refuge of all who opposed the Reds and succeeded in making their escape. from the *firoyinces they ‘dominated. /Denikin raised the fanner of the Whites and, with a certain amount of assistance from the Allies, collected a strong force and drove hack the Red armies; he even at one time seemed likely to reach Moscow. But Denikin failed to secure the support of tho population of the country over which he advanced. He was unable'to promise to the .peasants the permanent- possession of the lands they had seized, for fear of offending some of the interests, which supported him and therefore, when Lenin aiul Trotsky turned strong Red forces against Denikin, he secured no help from the mass of the country people and was driven back to the coast., from* which the General himself and a number of refugees made their escape in vessels owned by the Allies. The Reds thought that the trouble in South Russia was over and turned their main force against Poland. The position of the Whites seemed hopeless and General Wrangel, to whom Denikin had handed over the command, seemed to have nothing to do but surrender the remnants of tho army on the best terms he could ,111ake. But Wrangel seized the opportunity given him by tbe transfer to tbe Polish front of thft Red army and reorganised a new force out of the most unpromising: material. Wrangel had learned wisdom from Denikin’s failure and realised that success depended on the support of the peasants who had, amid every political change, hungered for the land, seized the land, settled on the land and fiercely opposed all who seemed not to acquiesce in their perpetual tenure of the land. His military plans were also not too ambitious. He did not desire to advance or

Moscow or make himself the master bf Russia. He contented himself with reorganising his armies and gradually pushing forward his line so as to secure possession of the rich corn-growing lands in the wide plains through which the Dneiper runs on the west, while in the east he came;into touch with the Don Cossacks. During the spring and summer he steadily infproved his position and sis weeks ago he seemed to have established himself firmly; even if ''his advanced lines were driven back he could always hold the isthmus of Perekop, the narrow strip of land that separates the Crimea from the mainland. It is true that during the earlier part of the year the main forces of tire Reds had been Engaged in Poland, but they were have become so disorganised as not to offer any sdrious menace to Wrangel even if they were directed against him. Events have., however, proved that this view was am erroneous onp, for WrangePs aiiny |ms been routed and it is doubtful whether more than small- remnants will be Able to escape. The'defeat of all opposition in the south will strengthen the position of the Reds very materially and enable them to carry on their intrigues in Turkey and Asia Minor much 1 more easily than hitherto. It will also enable Lenin to make , all preparations for a new campaign against Poland when the winter is over. The collapse of the White force is a great surprise and disappointment to the Allies and Lenin is correspondingly elated. It is certain that the new position will not tend to promote the peace of the world apd at present peace and the general resumption of trade are most to be desired. /. ’ ■■