RUSSIAN MIX-UP.

Hokitika Guardian, 22 May 1920, Page 2

RUSSIAN MIX-UP.

(By Electric Telegrapn—Copyright.! POSITION IN MIDDLE EAST. LONDON, May 20, The Bolshevik capture of Enzilie is regarded as a most serious move, in view of the military helplessness, off Persia and new responsibilities of the British* in India. It is assumed the Bolsheviks first aimed at the seizure of Denekin’s volunteer fleet interned at Enizelie, but doubtless the ultimate pur pose was the occupation of Teheran. The situation is aggravated by the unreliability of Persia, and a Cossack, division of which five thousand are reported to be openly sympathetic with Bolshevism. It is feared the whole division will join the lleds. The “Daily Mail” esitmates British troops driven out of Enzlei are' between four and five hundred. A handful remain at Talbriz whose fate, like those captured at Baku, is unknown. The whole situation involves a serious, menace to the national prestige throughout the Middle East, and endangers the vitality of important oil interests in Persia. In the Commons Hon Bonar Law in reply to a question stated the new An-glo-Persian agreement did not involve Britain’s obligations towards Persia. A Moscow wireless claims the Reds occupied Disnalepel and forced the over in Berezina sector for 'twenty miles, captured colossal food and military supplies in the' region of Polzizk, Molidtehens. The Poles continue to retreat and at sever.il points are showing panic.

SOVIETS ATTACK. LONDON, May 20.* A wireless■ Bolshevik communique says: “We have started a general advance in the'Polotsk-Lepel. region. We began on the i4th on a 50-mile front, and we have penetrated to the PolotskMoldscheno' railway. We also northward of Lcpel have taken a large number of Poles-prisoners.