COSSACK LEADER'S SUICIDE

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 183, 23 April 1918, Page 5

COSSACK LEADER'S SUICIDE

STORK OF A.DRAMATIC END.

After opposing a plan of Alexieff's to ailvanco beyond tlio Don, Kaledin, tlio Cossack clnef, resigned, but was persuaded by his friends to remain and givo counscl to tlio Don Government, bubsequeutly it became apparent that tlio Cossack position was critical, and a session of the Territorial Government was held, at which Kaledin was present. Ha was attacked by some, who asserted that bis indecision was tho cause of the Cossack defeats, 110 replied, "Unfortunately timo will soon provo who is right." At two o'clock, wlien l'eoling was running high, a messenger arrived from Alexielf demanding assistance to prevent tho annihilation of his force. While this was being discussed amid excitement Kaledin, who uU tho time' had been very restless, left the i hall, lie met a friend in a corridor, who asked liini his opiuion of tho situation, 110 said: ' lhe Don is unable to value its leaders anu. will pay very dearly for its faults. lie then entered the private oihco or oiio of the officials of tho Government.: A few minutes later two shots wcro heard. When tlio room was entered Kaledin was found lying dead across a writing-table. Having failed to dispatch, himself with the first shot, whici glanced off his head,' ho shot himself through tlio heart. ■.... His suioido made a deep impression on tho Don Government. Kodzianko, havenkoff, and General Denikin soon alter arrived in the loom, and several members of tho Government later on resigned. General Nagarolf was appointee in lvalcdin's place and ordered a geneifc mobilisation in tho Don.