RUSSIAN MIX-UP.

Hokitika Guardian, 25 January 1919, Page 2

RUSSIAN MIX-UP.

iAUSTRALIAN & N.Z. CAULE ASSOCIATION] BOLSHEVIKS ATTACK. HELSINGFORS, January 22. Russian Red Guards are attacking and pillaging the Finnish frontier. R ETALLVTION THREATENED. BERNE, J anuary 20. The Russan Bolsheviks have notified Switzerland that they will arrest and shoot thirty Swiss residents of Russia, unless the Bolsheviks arrested in Switzerland (for encouraging a revolutionary movement) are released. MONARCHISTS GAINING. LISBON, January 20. It is officially stated that the Monarchists hold Oporto, Braga, and Vizen Martial law lias been proclaimed. Warships have been sent to Oporto, which is strongly blockaded. ALLIED MISSION OF INQUIRY. EIGHT DELEGATES TO GO. PARIS, Jan. >22. Mr Fraser reports that the Council of the Great Powers lias discussed the situation in Eastern Europe and the Polish situation was also considered. Marshal Foeli attended and advised the conference on the military aspects. It was decided to send a mission of eight delegates and one soldier each, representing America, Britain, France and Italy. They are to ascertain the conditions and what help is necessary. Both America and Britain insisted on obtaining the fullest trustworthy information. - A similar view was expressed in regard to Russia. President Wilson proposed a motion in this direction, but tho difficulty of securng news of the interior of Russia was recognised, through it was suggested that tho contiguous countries should be visited. An official communique states that ! tho Conference approved of President Wilson’s proposal that the Associated Powers’ object was to assist Russia to the utmost and to recognise her right to settle her own affairs. There was no desire to exploit in any way. The Conference invited representatives of the recognised groups of European Russia, except Finland, to send three representatives from each group to Princes Island in the Sea of Mormar, to meet representatives from the conference providel that all military activity in Eastern Russia and Finland ceased.

The meeting of the Peace Conferncce and Russian delegates has been fixed to take place by Feb. loth. The Conference's proposal was wirelessly sent to Russia.

ALLIES ATTITUDES. LONDON,. Jan. 22. The “Morning Post’s Paris correspondent summarises She GreatPowers’ views on the question of Russia as follows: Franco is perfectly ready to assist intervention with material, hut not with men. Britain, it is understood, is in favour of interventiou in the Caspian Sea region. Italy is not against interventon, but has not eated her idea of a method. President Wilson has always hoped that Bolshevism would ultimately work out its own salvation and still hopes so. Japan ro*stricts her interests to Siberia. It_ is for conference to harmonise these conflicting views. ANTI-BOLSHEVIK IRRECON- - CILABLES. PARIS, Jan. 23. M. Sasaiioff says that the Allies’ invitation to tlic Bolsheviks to confer is an outrage on those Russians who remained faithful to the Entente. M. Sasanoff refuses to participate in the meetings. He says he is sure General Denekin and the Omsk Government will also -refuse.

BOLSHEVISM. A REVIEW OF OPERATIONS.. (Received This Day at 8.45 a.m.) LONDON, January 22. The Manchester Guardian’s correspondent, who was engaged on the French Relief Mission in Russia in 1917 and 1918 gives an interesting review of the economic conditions of rural Russia under Bolshevism. He says the cooperative societes have now secured a virtual monopoly of trading and putting small traders out ol business. The Societies! got credit from the Soviets and are regarded by the Railways as the Government. .Deposits are reduced to a minimum and devoted to education including classes in modern languages, history, book-keeping. Bolsheviks commenced with an ambitious educational programme aimed at establishing a school in every village. The project was abandoned owmg to the lack of teachers and instead Bolsheviks started training colleges for teachers, financing tlio colleges. The immense enthusiasm for education was the great Bslshevik asset. The boyscout movement is also flourishing. Soviets control most factories and forests. Bolshevik leaders for a time gave the Soviets control of sections of the railways, but the scheme soon failed and a complete disorganisation followed, and national control was resumed. Regarding ownership of land, there is a "difference of opinion. Bolshevik leaders desire to manage tlio large estates through their own experts, but the peasants do not desire nationalisation, but village "ownership. Bolsheviks have secured taxes by capital levies from which none are exempt, and commandeering shares and selling them at high prices. ' Justice was secured by the election ot older men as magistrates. Red Guards sometimes ovor-fodc the but on the whole there was more reliable law courts of justice than police administration of the old regime no blackmailing. In connection with illicit odkastil . tho Bolsheviks simply confiscated the still and deprived the maker of supplies and grain.

ARCHANGEL OPERATIONS(Received this day at 9.25 a.m.) NEW YORK, Jan. -3A message dated Jan. 23rd at 1~30 a m from Archangel, states the. Bolsheviks are heavily shelling American aud Russian armies in Oistpodonga region. There is heavy flighting.