TROTZKY IN PERIL.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 224, 21 September 1928, Page 7

TROTZKY IN PERIL.

Alleged Plots Against Soviet Exile. PLEADING FOR HELP. (United Service.) LONDON", September 20. Tlie "Daily Mail" says news has been received in London of several attempts recently to kill Trotsky, who is living in exile in Turkestan. Trotsky revealed the plot in smuggled letters to friends abroad including Rakovsky. In these letters the exile pTeads for help against the Russian secret police, who, he alleges, are the instigators. Trotsky says his little cottage at Almaata, 250 miles from the nearest railway, was attacked on three occasions by sharpshooters who hid in trees. Trotsky and his son defended themselves with sporting rifles. The cottage was subsequently blockaded and only gifts of food from local friends averted the starvation of the occupants. Trotsky says he is denied lights, newspapers, and medical advice. The authorities at Moscow disclaim all knowledge of the plot. They have dispatched an investigating commission. In the meanwhile, adds the "Mail," the Soviet has caused to be arrested 33 more Oppositionists, all friends of Trotsky.

MILLIONS IDLE. RUSSIA'S UNEMPLOYED. ("Times" Cables.) LONDON", September" 20. The Riga correspondent of the "Times'' says news from Moscow indicates that unemployment is increasing rapidly throughout Russia. After having fluctuated since January between 2,000,000 and 2,500,000, the figure is now abort 3,000,000, including 500,000 skilled workers. A further increase is inevitable at the conclusion of harvesting, says the correspondent.

NEW LOAN ISSUE. £30,000,000 AT 11 PER CENT. (Australian and N.Z. Press Association.) MOSCOW, September 20. The Soviet is issuing a new internal loan of £30,000,000, bearing interest at 11 per cent,