RUSSIAN MIX-UP.

Hokitika Guardian, 23 January 1920, Page 2

RUSSIAN MIX-UP.

(By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.)

NAVAL FORCE SENT TO BLACK " SEA. LONDON, Jan. 20. Advices from Malta, dated the 16th, state that orders were then received for a number of the British warships to leave on the 18th. Apparently they were to sail for the Black Sea. Every available ship was ordered to go, with loads of shipping stores and coal to the utmost capacity, a supply sufficient to last for several months. The authorities are reticent. It is understood here, however, that Allied Fleets, with Britain represented by the greater part of her MediterI ranean Fleet, have taken this new ! step in view of the situation in South i Russia.

The dreadnoughts Marlborough and Benbow, and also several light cruisers, are already at Constantinople.

LETTS REPORT FIGHTING. COPENHAGEN, Jan. 18. A Lettish communique states that Bolshevik forces have attacked the Letts in heavy strength. The attackers included Chinese regiments. Heavy fighting took place. The Letts state there were enormous enemy lossess.

DENIKEN’S LOSSESS 35,000. LONDON Jan. 19. The latest news from South Russia states that Deniken’s position has become more stable and lie is now holding a line between the Caspian and Black Seas. The Bolsheviks captured not more than 35,000 of Deniken’s forces. There are now Allied war ships holding command of the Black Sea.

The Bolsheviks are still some considerable distance from Odessa. It is report ed that the capture of Krasnovadsk has not been yet effected, the Bolsheviks being held up outside the town under the fire of an anti-Bolslievik fleet in the Caspian Sea.

MEASURE AGAINST SOVIET. PARIS, Jan. 20. An inspired statement, apparently due to the unusual movements going on in the British Delegation circles, declares that there is no British intention to take offensive measures qgainst Bolshevists, either naval or military, so long as the Bolshevists do not meqace any neighbouring territories. So far, it is claimed ,thqy are merely defensive measures that have been taken by the British, in order to protect British interests.

TRADE WITH RUSSIA. (Received This Day at 8 a-™.) LONDON, Jan. 19. Mr Roberts addressing the BritishRussian Club, said supplies of food and raw material were importnat from the viewpoint of tlie world’s economic welfare. Tlie discovery of new sources of supply gives the best hope of the reduction of the cost of living.

Colonel John Ward proposing the toast of Russia said the opening of trade to which lie was opposed, was tlie beginning of a movement which would enable the Soviet power to establish itself on a permanent basis.

SOVIET VIEW. COPENHAGEN, Jan. 20. Litvinoff interviewed, said the fact that the Allies mention co-operate societies as the only channels of trade, may be intended to frustrate the effectof relaxing the blockade. 1 bus the Allies declaration may be only a lip service to the popular demand. The Russian Government will naturally resent the bestowal of a monopoly on certain groups of Russians, especially as the whole, export and import trade has been nationalised-

WAVE OF DISEASE; (Received this' day at 8 a.jp.) LONDON, Jan.l9.

The Times Warsaw correspondent states the latest military medical information is that a tremendous waye ftf disease is sweeping westward from Bussia threatening the whole of Europe. Russia is honeycombed with all sorts of infectious diseases, A doctor who has returned from Smolensk, states official Bolshevik statistics, probably incomplete, show there were 1,350,000 cases of typhus' during the six months ending March 1919. He estimated the following six months will show a fifty per cent increase. Typhus is raging in the Ukraine armies, which it is believed explains Deniken’s failure, west of the Dnieper, when Petlura’s army was disbanded and 30,000 drifted through Polish lines, sixty per cent of whom werq infected with Russian smallpox which is also spreading westward.

SOVIET CONCESSIONS, (Received This Day at 8 a.m.) LONDON, Jan. 19. The Daily Herald states officially that' the Soviets are prepared to place forty million sterling of gold in foreign banks as a basis for trade. A million tons of wheat is ready for immediate export. Valuable trade concessions will also be granted.

A POLITICAL MOVE. (Received this day at 8 a.m.) LONDON, Jan. 19

The “Daily News” Paris correspondent puts no light on Hon Churchill s visit. It appears the Premiers were discussing the Supreme Economic Council’s scheme for trade with Hie Russian people at tho Tiiomont when Hon CHiircliill’s officers were inspiring alarmist’re ports in London. Hon Churchill and Hon Walter Long then ordered Ad mm: als Wilson and Beatty to accompany them in a dash to Paris in the hope of preventing a decision, but they arrived an hour after the decision was reached and found Hon Lloyd George strongly condemnatory of the inspired -reports, which be regards as misleading and unfortunate. The relations between the Ministers are strained.

JAPAN AND SIBERIA. TOKIO, Jan. 20. It is not expected that large reinforcements will be sent to Siberia, but Japanese intend to prevent the eastward spread of the 'Bolsheviks. Ardent militarists favour tlie despatch *f ten divisions to clear the country as far as Lake Baikal.