RUSSIA.

Taranaki Daily News, 17 September 1918, Page 5

RUSSIA.

BOLSHEVIK BUTCHERIES. UNDER GEKMAN DIRECTION. „ ... ~ . Sept. 15. Fugitives living in London tell sombre stories of the horrors of Russia fullv continuing the reports of constant butcheries, burnings, and shootings, retrpgrad is starving like a beleaguered garrison, with bands of maraudinpeasants and robbers holding the roau° outside. The curious German Bolshevik alliance exists within the city, tf'e two holding together for mutual protection against the growing hatred by all classes I of the Bolsheviks. Acting under German orders, German oftcers commanding the troops are generally directing the outrages and arrests, and conducting daily hunts for Allied officers and partisans, whose life consists of hairbreadth escapes. They are compelled to change their sleeping quarters night and adopt disguises. The Germans were responsible for the recent, arrest of 7000 Russian officers, many of whom are legless or armless. They are herded in small dungeons without food or drink, and with no sanitation. Hundreds are dying of dysentery and starvation. General Kuropatkin was arrested on a charge of participation in a British conspiracy against the Bolshevik Government.—United Service. PEASANTS ORGANISING. UNDER DIRE PENALTIES. New York, Sept. 14. Mr. Dosch Fleurot cabled from Stockholm: I have precise information that the peasants are organising and abandoning the Bolsheviks in great numbers. Great meetings have been held, and the peasants have been ordered to withdraw their support from the Bolsheviks and have withdrawn from the Soviets. The peasants in the Red Army, under the Bolshevik Government, have been ordered to return to their villages witluu one month, the penalty for disobedience being banishment from tlie villiges. Peasants remaining in the Red Guards will be shot.—Aus. NZ. Cable Assoc. NEW CZECH COMMANDER. Harbin, Sept. 15. General Dietrich has voluntarily resigned and handed over the command to Colonel Gaida, thinking the Czech leader more likely to be in accord with Czech national sentiment.—Aus. N.Z. Cable Association.