RUSSIA.

Taranaki Daily News, 13 September 1919, Page 5

RUSSIA.

4 .BRITISH WITHDRAWAL. INCOMPETENT ANTI-BOLSHEVIK FORCES. Bf Wmtk.~ftm Aisa.-Cow»lgtt. London, Sept. 11. MiiuriM, in.the Daily News, •ay*: "AfTtaigementg for the withdrawal from North .Russia are proceeding ■WtMy. The operation la a delicate one; btft the prospects are much brighter than they w«e a month ago, and the wittd«H>ai ghooH be completed in a few Weeks. The behavior of the Russians fighting with us has been the chief cause of anxiety since the intention to withdraw was announced. It is well known that we had an ambitious programme for 1 the spring, when it was hoped that we could organise an army, largely composed of Russians, which would be able to advance towards Petrograd from the north; and eastward by the Vologda railway, and effect a junction with General Koltchak's right flank, thus establishing a sure barrier against Bolshevism. We also, hoped to.organise a combined -Finnish, Lettish, and Esthonjan advance on PetWgitt iron the west, Britain supply- j tag the jDoney and material. All the Plans M§ke dowft owing to the sane cause, the incompetence of the various anil-Bolshevik forces and the impossibility of organising an efficient military force from these troops." General Maurice says that LudmdoriFs reminiscences finally dispose of the fiction that the Archangel expedition exercised any influence on the issue of the war. The reminiscences show that the Murmansk landing kept 4000 Germans in Finland for four months, though thill Archangel landing had no effect whatever.

General Maurice.proceeds: "We have filled to galvanise the Russians' into energy *ith our troops and competent leaden on the ipot, and we are, therefore, unllkeljr to be successful if we confine qur assistance to advice, money, and material. There is not the remotest chance of arriving at a settlement of the Rußllatt problem during the next halfyear, and the only sensible course it to revise our policy drastically and scientifically, so as. to nuke our commitments aquare with our mean;." i London, Sept. 11. The existence of a secret agreement between the British and Northwest Russian Government is semi-officially denied. Negotiate** oeeurreoV but did not remit in ah agreement. The Daily Herald states that it is believed the Soviet Government's request for peace was personally handed by Lenjn to a British journalist, Professor Goode, ■who was travelling from Moscow. He was arrested by the Esthoniana at the request of the British, and Is now on board a British ship awaiting his return to England. A deputation of four Russians from Archangel have arrived, and are appealing for the continuance of British support. They state that the evacuation is announced to begin on September 7 and to U completed at the end of October. "-.'"..'.'." BBjtJSB: TOLIOT. STATEMENT BY MR. CHURCHILL jamctttiTlßß OF WITHDRAWAL. Received Sept. 13,12.45 a.m. ' London, Sept. 11. Mr. Churchill, in an official note, replying to criticism of British policy in North Russia, says the policy accepted by tM House of Commons on July 29 is being, speedily and punctually pursued. The decisions on which it is based are {irrevocable. There is no reason to suppose that General Rawlinson, who is in supreme command of the British forces at Archangel and Murmansk, will not succeed in the task at an early date. Nevertheless, the peculiar difficulty in respect to the withdrawal operation must be realised. The' enemy forces on the abovementioned fronts may well be equal to the combined British and Russian nationals. The attitude of the latter, who are mjieh more numerous than the British, also the attitude of the civil population, must inevitably affect the British withdraw*). Thus the task of oxtrieatiag the British, while injuring the Russian nationals' subsequent chances as little as possible, is most complex.—Aus. JT.Z. Cable Assoc. REFUGE OFFERED. ?Q RUSSIANS WAITING TO LEAVE. Received Sept. 13, 1.30 a.m. London, Sept 11. Mr. Churchill, continuing, stated that the Government would consider it a duty to offer a means of refuge to all Russians who hid compromised themselves with the Bolsheviks through assisting us. Considerable numbers of persons, including * women; and children, besides British troops, must, therefore, be evacuated by e*a. Mr. Churchill scathingly describes the suggested process as simply marching the British into transports and sailing away under cover of the warships' guns as likely to result in a scries of episodes dishonorable to the British name. The military authorities have always insisted that the British would not be withdrawn except by certain offensive operations of limited scope, in order to disengage the front. It would bo wrong and unpatriotic to increase the difficulties of withdrawal in their most critical phase by inspiring the enemy and disheartening the Russian Nationals.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

BOLSHEVIKS COT Oft. DENIKEN CLEARING COUNTRY, Received Sept. 13, 2.5 a.m. London, Sept. 11. Gmeral Deniken is clearing the country between Odeeaa and Kieff, and endeavor- , ing to foil the attempt* of a large force cf Bolsheviks, who are cut off and who are trying to break through from the large pocket wherein they are bottled.— Atil.-N.Z. Cable Assn. TROUBLE IN KURDISTAN. BRITISH DEFEAT TRIBESMEN. fey StfrjMtli,—P«w Ann —CoWttllht. Kwttod feet. 13, 2.5 a.ffl. London, Sept. 11. firitian «oJo«M to Central Kurdistan defeated the tribaaaen with considerable |ow», but the ring leader, Shaban Agna, |s rtip at luge. 4 l«utt body of tribesmen u (tirring jsp trouble in Uremia. '* Xqatianritt ttm Damascus have ar'fifed in alt endeavor to raise the Kurds ■nptott tke SritUn.-Auß.-KZ Cable