RUSSIAN MIX-UP.

Hokitika Guardian, 26 January 1920, Page 4

RUSSIAN MIX-UP.

(By Electric Telegraph—Co i yright. i RUSSIAN REVIEW. LONDON, Jan. - 22. The authoritative weekly review of military operations in Russia says that since opening their offensive on January' 4th, the Letts have retaken their own country to a depth of forty miles, and have taken 13,000 prisoners. The ißolsheviks still occupy sixty miles of Lettland.

In South Russia, a respite has been afforded to General Deniken, owing to the swollen condition of the Don, and the railways having been destroyed during his recent retreat. The opposing armies are being regrouped, and reformed. Nevertheless Deniken’s losses gravely affect his future operations.

In Siberia the Bolsheviks’ advance has slowed dfcwvn. They have taken General Dutov’s headquarters at Sergiopol.

The Democrats at Irkutsk are maintaining order with Allied assistance, but red flags have appeared on some buildings. The Democrats are endeavouring to form a new Government with a programme providing for the cessation of civil war and opposition to the Atamans and the. Japanese. Admiral Koltchak lias informed the Allied High Coinissioners that he is remaining at Nijunivsk with his Ministers. The Bolshevik Mission arrived at Kabul (Afghanistan), and was ceremonious ly received. Two emissaries from Constantinople 'have also arrived there. ' the British Military Mission with General Deniken, reviewing the recent operations in South Russia, point out that the recent respite has been used by Deniken in raising further reinforcements which should shortly be available to replace the casualties suffered during the retreat. Tito report adds that the imminent danger to their country has caused the Don and the Kuban Cossacks to rally whole-hcartedy to General Deniken The mission describes the situation as being to all appearances, somewhat better, and emphasises that the future course of operations will probably be in favour of the side making the best use of tlie respite in re-organ-ising and reforming. This is naturally easier for General Deniken, who is nearer his base and resources than the Bolsheviks, who have gone deep into the enemy’s country, and depend for their supplies and equipment on the partially destroyed railways. Much depends on the support afforded to General Deniken by the population in his rear. The latest reports seem to show that ho still commands their full confidence and loyalty.

The War Office'announces that on the extreme right of the Caucasus Army the Bolshevik column which entered Kis lyar was driven out by a counter-attack on January 21st. On the centre and left fronts of the Caucasus Army the Russians were forced back from a line astride the Tsaritsyn-Ekaterinodor Railway. Further west the Bolsheviks made repeated attempts to cross the® Doii eastward of Rostoff, and succeeded in forming snufll bridge-heads on .the left bank at two places westward of Rostoff. Attempts to cross the Don were completely repulsed, with heavy losses. The Bolshevik cavalry lost twelve gilns, 100 machine-guns, and a largo number of prisoners. On the Crimea front tlio Bolsheviks are approaching the Isthmus at Ohongar and Perekop. ,