RUSSIAN PROBLEM.

Wanganui Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 16038, 31 January 1920, Page 2

RUSSIAN PROBLEM.

CZECH un IN PERIL. (Reuter.) LONDON, Jan. SO, A message dated the Ist states that 15,000 Czechs are spread along six hundred versts of railway westward of Irkutsk. The line is damaged in many places, as all employees refuse duty. Each party of Czechs is compelled to repair the lines as they travel, hewing trees for engine fuel. A hundred engines are lying derelict, and there are great piles of stranded rolling stock. The amount of human suffering is nicaleulable. Fortunately the Czechs are well supplied with food. The whole country having turned Bolshevik, they are in a precarious position, their artillery and ammunition being deficient for serious fighting. BOLSHEVIK SUCCESSES IN SIBERIA. (Times.) LONDON, Jan, 29, Harbin messages state that the Bolsheviks offered the Czechs repatriation on the condition they surrendered Koltchak, gold and military supplies. They “threw Koltchak to the lions,” but still hold the gold. A Polish division murdered their officers and then joined the Bolsheviks. The Mongols deserted Semenoff, whose force is reduced to 2000 Cossacks. The situation in Ussure and the Amur regions could not be worse. The Bolsheviks are everywhere triumphant owing to the collapse of Koltchak. Practically the whole population are ready to (accept Bolshevism.

BOLSHEYIK PROCLAMATION.

“EXTERMINATE CAPITALISTS.”

LONDON, Jan, 29

The Bolsheviks are widely distributing a proclamation amongst the troops dividing the whites into two categories, first the capitalists with their sons and officers, and the second those like Cossacks who are anti-Bolshevik because of ignorance. The proclamation urges, the cessation of unnecessary killing of the latter, but re-emphasises the necessity of exterminating the first. The Letts continue to advance brilliantly on a front of 90 miles and have attained a depth of 65 miles. The Lett army of 45,000 has reached the line of the Lutzin river in South Russia.

The Bolsheviks, after regrouping their forces and restoring the lines of communication, are re-advancing firstly in the direction of the Crimea, and secondly south-westward in the Odessa area. Progress across the narrow isthmus is at present stemmed. The Bolsheviks occupied Elisavitgrad. The Don army is maintaining the position on the Sal and Don in the face of vigorous attempts to force a passage. The Russian retreat continues most orderly. The Red cavalry are gaining slowly at the cost of severe losses. The fighting spirit of Deniken’s men has revived, Lettish official messages proclaim another victory.