THE WAR ON THE REDS

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 83, 2 January 1920, Page 5

THE WAR ON THE REDS

4 APPALLING CONDITION OF KOLCIIAK'S TROOPS REVOLT AT IRKUTSK THREATENED (By Telegraph-Press Association-Copyright lice. January 1, 5.5 p.m.) Poking, December 30. Tlie condition of Kolchak's retreating hoops is appalling, and to this is added the utmost political confusion. While Kolchak's advance is delayed, tlio PrcI mier and the remainder of the Government at Irkutsk are quarrelling. Tho Socialist Municipal Council bitterly opposes the Government, and is prepared to compromise with the Bolsheviki,. A dangerous revolt is threatened, and the local troops aro totally unreliable. Companies so:it out to suppress an adjacent rising murdered their own officers and joined the Bolsheviki, of whom there aro many bauds operating west of Lako Baikal. Even tho Czechs, who aro the most stable element in Siberia, are moro sympathetic towards the Socialists than' towards tlm Government. The Allies must decide whether they will continue to support an incompetent and intensely unpopular administration. Jiarly Japanese intervention iis imperative.—"Tho Times." JAPAN CONSULTING ALLIES SITUATION BEING REVIEWED. (Rec. January 1, 11.20 p.m.) London, December 30. The following official bulletin has been issued in view of Kolchak's retreat in Siberia and tho Japanese determination to stem tho flow of Bolshevism, the wliolo situation is being reviewed by tho Japanese Government in consultation, with the Allies and t<ho United States. At present Japan lias thirty thousand troops along tho Trans-Siberian railway, the United States has seven thousand. It is understood that Japan will act only after discussion with and the cooperation of the Allies. If necessary Japan is prepared to increase 'her forces in Siberia. Meanwhile arrangements aro completed for the early repatriation of tho Czecho-Slovak tvoops, who aro concentrated near Vladivostok.—Router. New York, December 80. The "?ve«' York World's" Washington correspondent says it is authoritatively stated that an understanding has been reached between tho United States and Japan, nnder which Japan will have a freo hand in any military measures necessary to protect her interests in Siberia. It is announced that Japan will send a fresh force to Siberia, sufficiently large to. defeat the Bolshevik army.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.