EXILED FROM RUSSIA.

Manawatu Herald, Volume L, Issue 40036, 7 December 1929, Page 3

EXILED FROM RUSSIA.

“I Avas sent to Rio do Janeiro in 14)10 by the Imperial Russian Government as Russian Consul, and remained in Brazil for four years. In January, 1014, 1 was sent to Buenos Aires as Consul General. Then came the war and the revolution, and the revolutionary government would have nothing to do Avith me. It would not he safe for me to return to Russia, so I am wandering around the world.” This was what M. Theodore Ptashnik, who recently arrived from Austra - lia, told a “Southland Times” reporter when interviewed. “We be - longed to the old regime in Russia,” said M. Ptashnik, “and as such Ave Avere regarded as. . . and he completed the sentence with an expressive shrug. “When tlie first irevolutionary government took charge, the property of the old regime was left alone, but as soon as the Bolsheviks came into poAver they seized everything. They robbed jny mother of her joAvels and took her stocks out into the street and burned them. My poor old mother, who was always used to everything, was left a beggar Avlien 73, and my brother Avas beggared Avith her. I haA’c only one brother, and I am thankful that there ai'e no more, because it Avould only be more to suffer. I send my mother money, but I never bear much from them, for their letters are all read, and they dare not put anything about the government into them. Mv mother owned mines, but they were all taken away from her. I travelled all over Europe in my youth, but I could not return there iioav. I could not visit my mother, for it Avould not be safe for me to enter Russia. When they refused to recognise us in Argentine after the revolution, Ave sold everything at ’auction and Avent away. I travel around and gather stamps and I enjoy it, for I like the fiords, the lakes, the mountains, and the green fields.”