RUSSIA.

Taihape Daily Times, 31 December 1918, Page 5

RUSSIA.

THE MURDERED ROMANOFFS. INDISPUTABLE EVIDENCE. LONDON, Dec. 29. Prince Lvoff, interviewed in London, said be was imprisoned at Ekaterinburg last spring charged with, engaging in the counter-revolution. A party of prisoners were brought in April into a large house, opposite Prince Lvoff "s window under a large guard, indicating that ttey were porsonsof importance. .Lvoff learned from a fellow' prisoner,, Prince Dolgouroki, that the new arrivals were the exCzar and his family. The Czarevitch being at Tobolsk, did not arrive at Ekaterinburg until a fortnight later. The entire family was confined in one large room, and sentries posted in the corridors. The Rod Guards carried out the murders in July. The Czccho-Slovaks soon after capture Ekaterinburg, and a judge w-as appointed to investigate the crime. He decided that the whole family was killed at different times, some members of the family being compelled to witness the murder of others. There was no doubt that all w'crc finally shot. The evidence indicated that all were shot in thenchairs. Thirty-six bullet holes wore found in the walls. The Bolsheviks appear also to have riddled the bodies after they had fallen to the floor, which was bloodstained and pitted by bullets. It is probable that the bodies were incinerated, human remains and jewellery, including a cross mounted w-itli emeralds, belonging to the Empress being discovered in another part of the town. Subsequently all the occupants of the prison, numbering 88, except Prince Lvoff and Prince Dolgouroki, wore murdered as also was the Czar’s personal doctor.

BOLSHEVIKS CAPTURE VILNA. Received 10.10 a.m. • LONDON, Doc. 29. The Bolsheviks are reported. to have captured Yilna, SEVERE FIGHTING AT ODESSA RUSSIAN TREACHERY. Received 11.30 a.m. LONDON, December 29 Severe fighting is reported at Odessa, in which the French warships participated. It is stated the French in agreement with the local military authorities, landed five thousand troops to maintain order in the town. The local forces treacherously fired on the troops while landing. French warships retaliated by shelling the Russian camp behind the town, The casualties were heavy. It is unknown whether the French still occupy Odessa.