RUSSIA.

Taranaki Daily News, 7 April 1919, Page 5

RUSSIA.

BOLSHEVIK TERRORISM.... APPALLING ATROCITIES AND MISERY. OFFICERS SAWN TO PIECES, Received April 6, 5.5 p.m. Lont'.on, April 4. A Foreign Office White Book contains a collection of British official and other reports covering the Bolshevik regime from the summer of 1918 to the present date. It has been issued in accordance with the decision of the War Cabinet last January. It is an appalling story of atrocities and misery. A Briton, who left Moscow in December, says that thousands of inhabitants were shot, but lately the victims were hung. He mentions that 150 Russian officers, who were prisanered at Pskon", were sawn to pieces by Mongolian soldiers.

The British Consul at Ekaterinburg on January 13 reports that hundreds of civilians were murdered in the Ural towns. Captured officers had their shoulder straps nailed to their shoulders; some of the civilians had their eyes put out, others had their noses cut oil', while others were dipped in rivers until they were frozen to death.

The Dutch Minister in Petrograd did his utmost to succour the British and other Allied prisoners who were arrested wholesale in the panic following the attempt to assassinate Lenin He repeatedly interviewed Tchitcherin, whom he impressed with England's power, Baying that the time had come when the Soviet authorities must pay individually for acts of terrorism. But it was impossible to obtain promises from Tchitcherin regarding the fate of the Britishers. The measures adopted by the Bolsheviks can only end in bankruptcy, though the resources of the country are such that there is still scope for the continuance of Bolshevik rule; nevertheless the position as regards agriculture is becoming monthly more acute, and eventually the seed grain must be consumed as food stocks and live stock will be exhausted.— Aus. and N.Z. Cable Assoc, and Reuter.

GALICIA JOIN'S REVOLUTION.

ROUMANIANS ADVANCE ON STANISLAU. Received April 0, 5.5 p.m. Copenhagen, March 27. Russian advices assert that the whole of Galicia has joined the revolution which began in the Brohobyozpil districts, where a Soviet was established. It is also asserted that the Polish Government's troops joined the revolutionaries. A general strike has been declared at Lemberg. The Roumanians crossed the frontier and are advancing towards Stanislau,— Aus. and N.Z. Cable Assoc.

REINFORCING BRITISH TROOPS. ICE-RESISTING SHIPS REQUISITIONED. Received April 5, 5.5 p.m. London, April 4. The British Government, as part of the plans to reinforce the expedition at Archangel, has decided to requisition the specially built ice-resisting steamers Tsar and Tsaritza, which are now en route from Liverpool to Australia, carrying troops. Transhipment was arranged at Port Said, where the Tsaritza arrived on March 27, and the Tsar arrived to-day. The Australians re-embarked on the Imperial hospital ships Dunluce Castle and Dongola.—Aus. N.Z. Cable Assoc, OPERATIONS IN THE CAUCASUS. BOLSHEVIKS ROUTED. Received April 5, 5.5 p.m. London, April 2. The War Office reports: General Shkur has captured Vhidiksokaz, finally defeating the Bolshevist army of 100,000. He took 50,000 prisoners, captured 13 armored trains and 200 guns. The Bolsheviks have been expelled from tße whole of the north Caucasus. General Shkur is successfully forming new divisions, comprising- Terek Cossacks and others.

BOLSHEVIKS RESUME OFFENSIVE.

CRITICAL TIME INEVITABLE. THE ICE AND FOOD TROUBLE. Received April 0, 5.5 p.m. London, April 5. The Australian Press Association learns that the Bolsheviks .assumed the offensive on April 1 and 2, but were repulsed. They renewed the attack on the 3rd, but the result of the fighting is still unknown.

A critical time is inevitable until the White Sea ope.ns for navigation again. British river boats are now held up in the ice around Archangel, whereas when the Dwina thaws the Bolsheviks will be able to use armed steamers before the Allies can. As, however, the British hold the Murman railway, it is hoped some reinforcements will 'be runhed into Archangel by the middle of May. Shiploads of aeroplanes which were blocked in the White Sea are now trying to reach Archangel, where the food difficulty is an increasing danger. The military situation at Odessa is fairly satisfactory, but food is so short that it may be impossible to hold the town. It is reported that Finnish troops in northern Russia defeated the Americans. Mr. Churchill telegraphed promising immediate aid.—Aus. N.Z. Cable Assoc. GENERAL MARSH oIpTIMISHC. Received April 6, 5.5 p.m New York, April 4. General Marsh denies any seriousness in the situation at Archangel. He believes the troops are adequate.—Aus. N.Z. Cable Assoc.