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diff --git a/old/10972.txt b/old/10972.txt deleted file mode 100644 index d672737..0000000 --- a/old/10972.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,7793 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg eBook, With the "Die-Hards" in Siberia, by John Ward - - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with -almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org - - - - - -Title: With the "Die-Hards" in Siberia - -Author: John Ward - -Release Date: February 6, 2004 [eBook #10972] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: US-ASCII - - -***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK WITH THE "DIE-HARDS" IN SIBERIA*** - - -E-text prepared by Jonathan Ingram, Steven desJardins, and Project -Gutenberg Distributed Proofreaders - - - -Note: Project Gutenberg also has an HTML version of this - file which includes the original illustrations. - See 10972-h.htm or 10972-h.zip: - (http://www.ibiblio.org/gutenberg/1/0/9/7/10972/10972-h/10972-h.htm) - or - (http://www.ibiblio.org/gutenberg/1/0/9/7/10972/10972-h.zip) - - - - - -With the "Die-Hards" in Siberia - -By Col. John Ward -C.B., C.M.G., M.P. - -With Eight Plates - -1920 - - - - - - - -To MY COMRADES - -OFFICERS, N.C.O.s AND MEN OF THE -18th, 19th, 25th AND 26th BATTALIONS OF -THE MIDDLESEX REGIMENT - -who, on sea and land, in sunshine and snow, so -worthily upheld the traditional gallantry and -honour of their people and country - - - - -FORWARD - -Originally written for the private use of my sons in case I did not -return, this narrative of events connected with the expedition to -Siberia must of necessity lack many of the necessary elements which go -to make a history. I wrote of things as they occurred, and recorded the -reasons and motives which prompted the participants. Many things have -happened since which seem to show that we were not always right in our -estimate of the forces at work around us. Things are not always what -they seem, and this is probably more evident in the domain of Russian -affairs than in any other. It would have been comparatively easy to -alter the text and square it with the results, but that would have -destroyed the main value of the story. - -The statesman and the soldier rarely write history; it is their -misfortune to make it. It is quite easy to be a prophet when you know -the result. You can, as a rule, judge what a certain set of people will -do in a certain set of circumstances, but where you deal with State -policy which may be influenced by events and circumstances which have -not the remotest connection with the question involved, it is impossible -to give any forecast of their conduct on even the most elementary -subject. - -The recent tragic events played out in the vast domain of Siberia are a -case in point. It is certain that Admiral Koltchak would never have gone -to Siberia, nor have become the head of the constitutional movement and -government of Russia, if he had not been advised and even urged to do so -by the Allies. He received the most categorical promises of -whole-hearted support and early Allied recognition before he agreed to -take up the dangerous duty of head of the Omsk Government. Had these -urgings and promises been ungrudgingly performed a Constituent Assembly -would be now sitting at Moscow hammering out the details of a Federal -Constitution for a mighty Russian Republic or a parliamentary system -similar to our own. - -On the declaration of the Koltchak Government, General Denikin, General -Dutoff, General Hovart, and the North Russian Governments made over -their authority to Omsk. There was at once a clear issue--the Terrorist -at Moscow, the Constitutionalist at Omsk. Had the Allies at this -juncture translated their promises into acts, from what untold suffering -Russia and Europe might have been saved! - -The mere act of recognition would have created a wonderful impression on -the Russian mind, in addition to giving the Allies a lever by which they -could have guided the course of events and stabilised the Baltic. It -would have given security to Russian finance, and enabled trade -relations to have commenced with the wealthiest part of the Russian -dominions. - -The reconstruction of Russia, about which the Allies talk so glibly, -would have gone forward with a bound by natural means, which not even -Allied bungling could have prevented. The Omsk Government could have got -money on better terms than any of the Allies, because, accepted within -the comity of nations, it could have given better security than any of -them, even including America. Europe would have been fed, Russia would -have been clothed, and the world would have been saved from its greatest -tragedies. All this and more would have naturally followed from the -barest performance of our promises. - -We did worse than this. Breach of promise is only a negative crime. The -Allies went to the other extreme; their help took the form of positive -wilful obstruction. The Japanese, by bolstering up Semianoff and -Kalmakoff, and the Americans, by protecting and organising enemies, made -it practically impossible for the Omsk Government to maintain its -authority or existence. The most that could be expected was that both -would see the danger of their policy in time to avert disaster. One did; -the other left when the evils created had got beyond control. Koltchak -has not been destroyed so much by the acts of his enemies as by the -stupidity and neglect of his Allied friends. - -As the Bolshevik rabble again sweeps over Siberia in a septic flood we -hear again the question: "How can they do so unless they have a majority -of the people behind them?" I answer that by asking: "How did a one-man -government exist in Russia from 'Ivan the Terrible' to Nicholas II?" -Both systems are autocratic; both exist by the same means--"Terror." -There is, however, this difference. The autocracy of the Tsars was a -natural product from an early form of human society. The Bolshevik -autocracy is an unnatural product, and therefore carries within itself -the seed of its own destruction. It is an abortion, and unless it -rapidly changes its character cannot hope to exist as a permanent form -of organised society. It is a disease which, if we cannot attack, we can -isolate until convalescence sets in. There is, however, the possibility -that the patient during the progress of the malady may become delirious -and run amok; for these more dangerous symptoms it would be well for his -neighbours to keep watch and guard. This madness can only be temporary. -This great people are bound to recover, and become all the stronger for -their present trials. - -JOHN WARD. - -February, 1920. - - - - -CONTENTS - -CHAPTER - - 1. FROM HONG-KONG TO SIBERIA - 2. BOLSHEVIK SUCCESSES - 3. JAPAN INTERVENES - 4. THE BATTLE OF DUKOVESKOIE AND KRAEVESK - 5. JAPANESE METHODS AND ALLIED FAR-EASTERN POLICY - 6. ADMINISTRATION - 7. FURTHER INCIDENTS OF OUR JOURNEY - 8. BEYOND THE BAIKAL - 9. OMSK -10. ALONG THE URALS -11. WHAT HAPPENED AT OMSK -12. THE CAPTURE OF PERM: THE CZECHS RETIRE FROM THE FIGHTING -13. THE DECEMBER ROYALIST AND BOLSHEVIST CONSPIRACY -14. A BOMBSHELL FROM PARIS AND THE EFFECT -15. MORE INTRIGUES -16. RUSSIAN LABOUR -17. MY CAMPAIGN -18. OMSK RE-VISITED -19. IN EUROPEAN RUSSIA -20. MAKING AN ATAMAN -21. HOMEWARD BOUND -22. AMERICAN POLICY AND ITS RESULTS -23. JAPANESE POLICY AND ITS RESULTS -24. GENERAL CONCLUSIONS - - - - -LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS - -COL. JOHN WARD, C.B., C.M.G., M.P. _Frontispiece_ - -LANDING OF THE 25TH MIDDLESEX AT VLADIVOSTOK - -ALLIED COMMANDERS IN FRONT OF HEADQUARTERS AT VLADIVOSTOK - -GEN. DETRIKS (CZECH) AND COL. WARD AFTER THE ALLIED COUNCIL at -VLADIVOSTOK - -A CONFERENCE OUTSIDE HEADQUARTERS WAGON. - -COL. WARD AND THE CZECH LEADER (COL. STEPHAN) EXAMINING THE USSURIE -FRONT - -BRITISH PARADE AT OMSK - -RUSSIAN HEADQUARTERS "STAFFKA," OMSK - -BRITISH STAFF AND C.O.'s WAGON - -ARRIVAL OF THE BRITISH AT IRKUTSK - -ADMIRAL KOLTCHAK - - - - -WITH THE "DIE-HARDS" IN SIBERIA - - - - - -CHAPTER I - -FROM HONG-KONG TO SIBERIA - - -The 25th Battalion of the Middlesex Regiment had already such a record -of travel and remarkable experiences to its credit that it was in quite -a matter-of-fact way I answered a summons from Headquarters at -Hong-Kong, one morning in November, 1917, and received the instruction -to hold myself and my battalion in readiness to proceed to a destination -unknown. Further conferences between the heads of departments under the -presidency of the G.O.C., Major-General F. Ventris, revealed that the -operations of the battalion were to be conducted in a very cold climate, -and a private resident at tiffin that day at the Hong-Kong Club simply -asked me "at what date I expected to leave for Vladivostok?" - -The preparations were practically completed when orders to cease them -were received from the War Office at home, followed by a cable (some -time in January, 1918) to cancel all orders relating to the proposed -expedition. So we again settled down in Far Eastern home quietly to -await the end of the war, when we hoped to return to the Great Old -Country and resume the normal life of its citizens. - -Things remained in this condition until June, 1918, when we were -suddenly startled by an order to call upon the half of my battalion -stationed at Singapore to embark on the first ship available and join me -at Hong-Kong. This seemed to suggest that the truly wonderful thing -called "Allied Diplomacy" had at last made up its mind to do something. -After a great deal of bustle and quite unnecessary fuss the whole -battalion embarked on the _Ping Suie_ on a Saturday in July, 1918. - -It should be remembered that my men were what were called "B one-ers," -and were equipped for the duty of that grade; but, after our arrival at -Hong-Kong, Headquarters had called in most of our war material to -replenish the dwindling supplies of this most distant outpost of the -British Empire. Very little information could be gathered as to the kind -of duty we might expect to be called upon to perform, and the ignorance -of the Staff as to the nature of the country through which we were to -operate was simply sublime. Added to this, most of the new material with -which we were fitted was quite useless for our purpose. Those things -which had been collected on the first notice of movement in 1917 had -been dispersed, and the difficulty of securing others at short notice -was quite insurmountable. - -The voyage was not remarkable except that one typhoon crossed our track -not ten miles astern, and for eighteen miles we travelled alongside -another, the heavy seas striking the ship nearly abeam, and causing her -to roll in a very alarming manner. The troops had a very uncomfortable -time, and were glad to sight the coast of Korea and the calm waters of -the Sea of Japan. - -At Hong-Kong many of the men, including myself, had suffered much from -prickly heat, which had developed in many cases into huge heat boils. It -was very strange how rapidly these irruptions cured themselves directly -we reached the cool, clear atmosphere of the coast of Japan. - -Elaborate preparations had been made for our reception, insomuch that we -were the first contingent of Allied troops to arrive at Vladivostok. Two -Japanese destroyers were to have acted as our escort from the lighthouse -outside, but they were so busy charting the whole coastline for future -possibilities that they forgot all about us until we had arrived near -the inner harbour, when they calmly asked for our name and business. -Early next morning, August 3, they remembered their orders and escorted -us to our station at the wharf, past the warships of the Allied nations -gaily decorated for the occasion. - -At 10 A.M. a battalion of Czech troops, with band and a guard of honour -from H.M.S. _Suffolk_, with Commodore Payne, R.N., Mr. Hodgson, the -British Consul, the President of the Zemstrov Prava, and Russian and -Allied officials, were assembled on the quay to receive me. As I -descended the gangway ladder the Czech band struck up the National -Anthem, and a petty officer of the _Suffolk_ unfurled the Union Jack, -while some of the armed forces came to the present and others saluted. -It made quite a pretty, interesting and immensely impressive scene. The -battalion at once disembarked, and led by the Czech band and our -splendid sailors from the _Suffolk_, and accompanied by a tremendous -crowd of people, marched through the town to a saluting point opposite -the Czech Headquarters, where parties of Czech, Cossack and Russian -troops, Japanese, American and Russian sailors were drawn up, all of -whom (except the Japanese) came to the present as we passed, while -Commodore Payne took the salute for the Allied commanders, who were all -present. - -Our barracks were outside the town at Niloy-ugol; they were very dirty, -with sanitary arrangements of the most primitive character, though I -believe the local British authorities had spent both time and money in -trying to make them habitable. The officers' accommodation was no -better, I and my Staff having to sleep on very dirty and smelly floors. -A little later, however, even this would have been a treat to a weary -old soldier. - -On August 5 I attended the Allied commanders' council. There were many -matters of high policy discussed at this meeting, but one subject was of -intense interest. General Detriks, the G.O.C. of the Czech troops, gave -in reports as to the military situation on the Manchurian and Ussurie -fronts. The conditions on the Manchurian front were none too good, but -those on the Ussurie front could only be described as critical, and -unless immediate help could be given a further retirement would be -forced upon the commander, who had great difficulty with his small -forces in holding any position. The Ussurie force had recently -consisted of some 3,000 indifferently armed Czechs and Cossacks. The day -I landed a battle had been fought, which had proved disastrous, and -resulted in a hurried retirement to twelve versts to the rear of -Kraevesk. The Allied force, now reduced to about 2,000 men, could not -hope to hold up for long a combined Bolshevik, German and Magyar force -of from 18,000 to 20,000 men. The Bolshevik method of military -organisation,--namely, of "Battle Committees," which decided what -superior commands should be carried out or rejected--had been swept away -and replaced by the disciplined methods of the German and Austrian -officers, who had now assumed command. Should another retirement be -forced upon the Ussurie forces, it could be carried out only with great -loss, both of men and material. The next position would be behind -Spascoe, with Lake Hanka as a protection on the left flank and the -forest on the right. If this could not be held, then the railway -junction at Nikolsk would be endangered, with the possibility of the -communications being cut with other forces operating along the -Transbaikal Railway and at Irkutsk. Under these circumstances the -council decided that there was nothing left but to ask for authority -from the War Office to send my battalion forward at once to the Ussurie -front to render what assistance was possible. I naturally pointed out -that my battalion was composed of B1 men, most of whom had already done -their "bit" on other fronts, and that a few weeks before I had had about -250 General Service men in my ranks, but on a blundering suggestion of -the G.O.C. at Singapore they had been taken from my unit and transferred -to others doing garrison duty in India. I had protested against this at -the time, but had been over-ruled by London, so that my command was -reduced to men of the lowest category. However, after making this -statement I informed the council that in view of the desperate -circumstances in which the Ussurie force was placed I would render every -assistance in my power. - -About 2 P.M. Commodore Payne, R.N., came to my quarters and showed me a -paraphrased cable he had received from the War Office. The cable -authorised the immediate dispatch of half my battalion to the front, -subject to the approval of the commanding officer. It seems to me they -might have plucked up courage enough to decide the matter for -themselves, instead of putting the responsibility upon the local -commander. As it was left to me, however, I gave the necessary orders at -once. That very night, August 5, I marched through Vladivostok to -entrain my detachment. It consisted of 500 fully equipped infantry and a -machine-gun section of forty-three men with four heavy-type maxims. -Leaving my second in command, Major F.J. Browne, in charge of the Base, -I marched with the men with full pack. The four miles, over heavy, dirty -roads, were covered in fair time, though many of the men became very -exhausted, and at the end of the march I found myself carrying four -rifles, while other officers carried packs in addition to their own kit. - -The train was composed of the usual hopeless-looking Russian -cattle-trucks for the men, with tiers of planks for resting and sleeping -on. A dirty second-class car was provided for the Commanding Officer and -his Staff, and a well-lighted first-class bogey car of eight -compartments for the British Military Representative, who was merely -travelling up to see the sights. When I got to the front I found a -first-class car retained by every little officer who commanded a dozen -Cossacks, but I proudly raised the Union Jack, to denote the British -Headquarters, on the dirtiest and most dilapidated second-class -contraption that could be found on the line. But of course we meant -business; we were not out for pleasure. - -I was advised before I started from Vladivostok that Nikolsk, the -junction of the Manchurian and Central Siberian Railways, was the most -important strategical point on the South Siberian end of the line, and -that though the position on the Ussurie was pretty hopeless and -retirement might take place at any moment, we were not in any -circumstances to retire below Nikolsk. The place to which we were to -retire and take up a new position had been already decided--a line just -below Spascoe, with Lake Hanka on the left and a line of forest-covered -mountains on the right. - -We arrived at Nikolsk in the early morning, but the platform was crowded -with inhabitants and two guards of honour, Czech and Cossack, with band, -which mistook "Rule Britannia" for the National Anthem. I was introduced -to all the officers, the British Vice-Consul, Mr. Ledwards, and his -energetic wife. Breakfast was served to the men by the other corps, and -my officers received the hospitality of the good Consul and Mrs. -Ledwards. Then a march through the town, to show the inhabitants that -the long-sought-for Allied assistance had really arrived at last. - -It appears that a very sanguine French officer had travelled over the -line some months previously and had made lavish promises of Allied -support, which accounts, perhaps, for my previous orders received at -Hong-Kong towards the end of 1917. The Allies had decided to make a much -earlier effort to reconstruct the Russian line against their German -enemies, but, like all Allied efforts, their effective action had been -frustrated by divided counsels and stupid national jealousy. - -It was the prospect of Falkenhayn, with the huge army of half a million -men, flushed with its recent easy victory over Rumania, being freed for -employment on the French front, that caused our hurried over-late -expedition to Siberia. If the effort had been made at the right time the -Russian people and soldiery would not have become so demoralised and -hopeless as they had when I arrived, and millions of lives would have -been saved from untold tortures. A famous statesman once sternly -admonished his colleagues for their fatal policy of doing nothing until -it was too late; in this case he himself is open to the same censure. - -At Nikolsk had recently been fought an important battle between the -Czechs and the Terrorists, and we were shown a series of photographs of -horribly mutilated Czech soldiers who had fallen into the hands of the -Bolshevik army as prisoners of war. By a section of people at home the -Bolsheviks are thought to be a party of political and democratic -idealists, but when one is brought face to face with their work they are -then proved to be a disgusting gang of cut-throats, whose sole business -in life appears to be to terrorise and rob the peasant and worker and -make orderly government impossible. - -We received equally warm welcomes at many other stations, and at length -we arrived at Svagena, which is the last fairly large town before -Kraevesk, the station without a town, and very near the range of hostile -artillery. Here quite a full-dress programme was gone through by the -Czech band and the Czech and Cossack soldiers, ending with a short march -past, and speeches by the English and Russian commanders. My speech was -made along the lines of my instructions, which were mostly to this -effect: We Britishers had entered the territory of Holy Russia not as -conquerors, but as friends. The Bolshevik power had made a corrupt and -dishonourable compact with their German masters, by which the -territories of their Motherland, Russia, had been torn from her side, -and a huge indemnity wrung from her people. Under German pressure the -Bolshevik Soviet power had armed the released German and Austrian -prisoners of war, and by means of this alien force was terrorising the -Russian people and destroying the country. The Allies looked upon the -Bolshevik power as a mere hireling branch of the autocratic German -menace, and as such the enemies of British and Russian democracy alike. -We came to help, resurrect and reconstruct the orderly elements of -Russian life, and promised that if they would join us in this crusade, -we would never cease our efforts till both our enemies were utterly -defeated. And here the soldiers of the two nations made their pact, and -though it was not an official utterance it had official sanction. My -troops retired to quarters at Spascoe, which I had made my forward base. - -Next morning, August 7, with my interpreter, Lieutenant Bolsaar, I -visited Kraevesk, and had a long consultation with the commander at the -front, Captain Pomerensiv. I personally examined the line right up to -the outposts, and eventually it was decided that I would send forward -243 men with four maxims to take up a position towards what I considered -to be the threatened part of our right flank. As I was senior officer, -Captain Pomerensiv handed the command of this front over to me, -promising all help. - -Once in the saddle I asked for intelligence reports from all directions, -and found it impossible for the enemy to make a frontal attack down the -narrow space of the railway, flanked as it was on both sides by -impassable marshes. The enemy centre was at Shmakovka, the place from -which the Czechs had been forced to retire: that day, however, he had -been observed moving a company of about 180 men with three machine guns -along the road towards Uspenkie, a small town situated on our extreme -right front. After consultation with Captain Stephan, Czech commander, -and Ataman Kalmakoff, commanding the Cossacks, I decided to take the -necessary steps to destroy this recently formed outpost. Ataman -Kalmakoff had that morning announced to me his intention to leave my -front and make a wide detour on the right behind the hills, and join his -Cossack friends at Iman. I discovered that he was dissatisfied with the -lack of enterprise hitherto shown on this front, and had decided to make -a raid "on his own" on the rear of the enemy. But the moment I stated my -intention to mop up Uspenkie he fell into line, and forgot all about his -previous ill-humour. He took up an advanced position at Olhanka, -reconnoitred the Uspenkie position the next day, and unmasked the -Bolshevik formation, with a loss of two horses and a Cossack badly -wounded. I formed my plans on his observations. - -My scheme was to advance one company of Czech troops from Khamerovka to -Olhanka, the Ataman's most forward post on my right front, where they -were to prepare a small entrenched camp. I would also advance 200 -infantry with two machine guns the first night from Kraevesk to -Khamerovka. - -The next day I ordered 200 men to entrain from Spascoe to Kraevesk to -act as a reserve. They were to night march to Khamerovka, and occupy the -place of my forward party, who would advance by night and join the -Cossacks and Czech troops at Olhanka. I would be with the advanced group -and make a daylight examination of the post to be attacked, and be -joined at night by my second detachment from Khamerovka. By this means I -should have had 400 British rifles, a machine-gun section of forty-three -men with four maxims, a company of Czech infantry of about 200 men, and -last, but by no means least, Ataman Kalmakoff with about 400 Cossack -cavalry--a total of about 1,000 men. I ordered the two roads along which -any reinforcements for the enemy post must pass to be patrolled at night -and also closely observed during the day. - -I had drawn up my plan of attack and the first stage of the operation -had actually been executed, when I was brought to a sudden standstill by -a piece of fussy interference. - -There was no linguist in my battalion capable of speaking Russian -sufficiently well for my purpose, hence I had to seek the services of an -agent of the British Military Representative at "Vlady." This agent -returned to "Vlady" directly the necessary arrangements for the attack -had been completed. I ought to have compelled him to remain with me, but -as he appeared to favour the proposed forward movement I did not scent -any danger to my purely defensive policy. He did not wait until he had -reported to the Military Representative, but when only half way -telegraphed from Nikolsk warning me that in his opinion this forward -movement should not take place, as he had already received important -information which altered the entire situation. I ignored this -interference of an understraper, but a few hours later received definite -instructions from the Political Representative, that I was to stand -purely on the defensive, and not move an inch beyond my position. I was -compelled to accept the instruction, but was disgusted with the -decision. It proved to me in a forcible way what I had never realised -before, how impossible it is for a man at a distance, however clever he -may be, to decide a military problem, limited in locality and isolated, -as was this case, from questions of public policy. When the one purpose -of a force is the protection or maintenance of a limited front, only the -man on the spot can be the judge of what is necessary to accomplish that -purpose. - -My actual plan of operations was very simple. Having assembled my force -at Olhanka, I should at dusk have occupied the roads leading from -Shmakovka to Uspenkie, and from Uspenkie to the monastery by cavalry, -thus making it impossible for enemy reinforcements to reach the post to -be attacked under the cover of night. My own troops, together with the -Czech company, would have approached the position from the south, and -during the hours of darkness have taken up a line within rifle- and -machine-gun range. At daybreak fire would have been opened from such -cover as could be obtained, and while our eight machine-gunners barraged -the post, the infantry would have advanced rapidly on the south front at -the same time as the Cossacks charged in from the rear. The result would -have been as certain as anything in war could be, and, as since then I -have met the Bolsheviks in open fight, I am convinced that this small -effort might have had decisive political and military influence in -Eastern Siberia. But the "politicals" in uniform are not always noted -for daring, and in this case were very timid indeed, and our position -grew worse from day to day. - -I made the best dispositions possible in view of my cautious -instructions, and soon every man, British, Czech and Cossack, was imbued -with a determination to baulk the enemy's eastward ambitions at all -costs. The numbers I had brought to their assistance were nothing -compared to the influence of the sight of the poor, frayed and dirty -Union Jack that floated from my Headquarters, and the songs of the -Tommies round the mosquito fires in the bivouac at night. These two -factors together changed the whole atmosphere surrounding the valiant, -ill-fed and ill-equipped Czech soldiers. - -The day following the night I had fixed for the destruction of the enemy -outpost two companies of enemy infantry and three guns marched out of -Shmakovka as a reinforcement to the debatable position. I watched -through my binoculars their slow movement along the dusty road. I judged -what the enemy's intentions were, and knew also that I was powerless to -prevent them. He quickly placed his guns in position, and the following -day sent a few trial shots at Kalmakoff's position at Olhanka; after -getting the range he ceased fire. About 11 P.M. the flash of guns was -observed on our right, which continued until midnight. At 12.30 the -field telephone informed me that the Czech company I had pushed forward, -together with Kalmakoff's Cossacks, had been shelled out of their -positions at Olhanka and were retreating along the Khamerovka and -Runovka roads. I disregarded the imperative instructions I had received -from "Vlady" not to move, and advanced my detachment by a midnight march -to occupy a position where I could protect the bridges and cover the -retreat of our friends. Had I failed to perform this simple soldierly -duty we should have placed ourselves in a ridiculous position in the -eyes of our Russian and Czech comrades. But though I acted against -orders, I think in the circumstances I was fully justified in doing so. - -The Czech company retired safely behind the river at Khamerovka, and -Kalmakoff's Cossacks took up a new position at Runovka, where he could -still hang on to the skirts of the enemy and keep constant observation -upon his movements. I retired to a bivouac of branches and marsh grass -behind "Lookout Hill," where for a fortnight I carried on constant -warfare against infected waters and millions of mosquitoes, without -transport, tents, nets, or any of the ordinary equipment required by -such an expedition. I admit that my ignorance of the conditions which -might be expected to prevail in Siberia was colossal, but so also was -that of those whose duty it was to have made themselves acquainted with -the situation. - -At Hong-Kong I had suggested that we might find tents useful, but the -proposal was turned down, either because there was none or because they -were considered quite unnecessary. I asked timidly whether I should -require mosquito nets, and well remember the scorn with which the Chief -of Staff greeted my question. "Who ever heard of mosquitoes in Siberia?" -Well, the fact is that while there are a few in the tropics, there are -swarms of these pests all over Siberia. In the tropics their size -prevents them from doing much damage, except as malaria carriers. In -Siberia they take the shape of big, ugly winged spiders, which will suck -your blood through a thick blanket as easily as if you had nothing on. -They have a knack of fixing themselves in one's hair below the cap and -raising swollen ridges round one's head until it is painful to wear any -headgear at all. In my case my wrists were puffed out level with my -hands. After sleeping, one woke unable to open one's eyes. The absence -of any protection wore out the patience and nerves of the men, and the -searching Bolshevik shells were accepted as a welcome diversion. - -No blame was attached to my chiefs; I was fully equipped as a B1 -Garrison battalion, and as such I was dispatched to Vladivostok. I was -sent there to perform a certain duty, but on arrival was at once called -upon to perform another of quite a different character. I had to carry -out the duties of a first-line service battalion with the personnel and -equipment of second grade garrison troops. Whether those with whom the -order originated in London were aware of the nature of the duty I was -expected to perform I do not know; but it is obviously dangerous to send -British troops of any category to an actual scene of operations and -expect them to stand idle, uninterested spectators of the struggles of -their friends. They should either be kept away or sent ready for all -emergencies. - - - - -CHAPTER II - -BOLSHEVIK SUCCESSES - - -The outflanking movement by the enemy which I had anticipated from the -day I first took over the command, and which I had made my plans to -counteract, was now in full swing, but so far no damage to our main -position had been effected. - -General Detriks visited the front and informed me that the Allied -Council had chosen Major Pichon, of the French detachment which was -timed to arrive next day, to take over the command of this front. After -a personal inspection he expressed himself as satisfied with my -dispositions and suggested that I should still retain the command, and -that he would see that the decision relating to Major Pichon's -appointment was reconsidered in view of the changed conditions he now -found. But I could see that a revision of the Allied Council's -resolution might affect French _amour propre_, and place both Council -and commander in an anomalous position. I therefore requested General -Detriks to take no steps to alter the resolution of the Allied Council, -and stated that I would gladly serve under Major Pichon or any other -commander elected by the Council. British prestige, I added, was too -well established for such trifles to be considered when the only reason -for our presence was to help our Czech and Russian friends. He, -however, pointed out that it was impossible to allow a British colonel -to serve under a French major, and that my command must be considered -quite an independent one. - -Major Pichon arrived on August 18, 1918, and I formally handed over the -command. He asked me to consider myself as jointly responsible for the -operations on that front, and said that we would from time to time -consult together as to any action that might be necessary. I found him -both polite and considerate and most anxious to meet the wishes of the -several parts of his command; in fact, he was a gentleman whom it was a -pleasure to meet and work with. His battalion-commander, Major Malley, -was equally urbane, and together I think we made a very happy -combination. - -The great outstanding personality of this front was Captain Stephan, the -commander of the 8th Czech Battalion. Originally a brewer of Prague, he -had been compelled on the outbreak of war to join the Austrian Army. He -had done his duty as a soldier of that effete Monarchy, been captured by -the Russians, and while a prisoner of war had been liberated by the -Revolution; he was one of the men who had organised their fellow exiles -and offered their services to France and the Allied cause, believing -that in the success of England's arms was to be found the liberation of -their beloved Bohemia. I asked him why he had offered his services to -France, and his answer and his compatriots' answer was always the same: -"It is to great England we always look to as our saviour, but the German -armies are in France, and to meet our enemies on the field of battle -was, and always will be, the first ambition of every Czech soldier, for -if England says we are a nation, we know we shall be." - -I must say I felt flattered by the almost childlike confidence which -Pole, Czech and Russian had in the name and honour of England. We were -undoubtedly the only nation represented on this front and in Siberia -generally against whom not one word of suspicion was directed. I -naturally expected that the prestige of France, in view of her pre-war -alliance with Russia, would be very great, but from the closest -observation of all ranks of Russian society I think it would be -impossible to say which was most suspected in the Russian mind, France, -America or Japan. The presence, however, of French soldiers, and the -politeness of the French officers, may do much to generate a warmer -feeling in Russia towards France. The presence of the soldiers of the -Rising Sun, and the manners and general attitude of her officers towards -the Siberian population, will, if persisted in, certainly result in -changing fear to universal hate. - -On the afternoon of his arrival an important movement of enemy forces on -our right front caused Major Pichon to ride through my bivouac, when he -was formally introduced to the officers and men under my command. Later -he informed me that he did not consider the movement sufficiently -important to make any change in our dispositions necessary. Towards dusk -Captain Stephan, accompanied by his adjutant, rode up and reported an -important movement of enemy forces towards Runovka, our solitary -remaining position on the opposite side of the river, which formed the -natural defence and limit of our right flank. Again I was asked to move -forward to render such assistance as might be necessary in case our -right were forced to retire across the river. We marched forward in the -darkness with the flash of the Bolshevik guns lighting up the way, but -as their attention was entirely directed to our outpost at Runovka, we -were as safe as if we had been in Hyde Park. The Czechs have a fatal -preference for woods as a site for defensive works, and they selected a -wood on the left flank of the road for my position. I rejected their -plan, and chose a position about two hundred yards in front of the wood -at a point where the roads cross, and a fold in the ground, aided by the -tall marsh grass, almost entirely hid us from the observation-post of -the enemy. Millions of mosquitoes, against which we had no protection -whatever, attacked us as we began to entrench, but officers and men all -worked with a will, and by dawn we had almost completed what was -probably the best system of field-works so far constructed on this -front. How we wished we might see the enemy advance over the river and -attempt to deploy within range of our rifles! He had by vigorous -artillery fire driven our remaining Czech company across the river, and -so had become complete master of the other side. - -It was here that a second chance came to deal effectively with this -attempt to outflank our entire position. A sudden dash across the bend -of the river in the north-eastern corner at Khamerovka on to the -unprotected line of enemy communications would have resulted in a -complete frustration of the enemy plans, with a fair prospect of his -decisive defeat. I even suggested this, but had to confess that I had -moved forward twice, contrary to my imperative orders, and that unless I -chose to run the risk of court-martial, if not dismissal, I could not -join in the attack, though I would come to the rescue. This was too -ambiguous for the other leaders, and the opportunity was allowed to -pass. - -Shortly after, I met an old tramp with his pack, and handed him over to -my liaison officer. We could not very well detain him as he had already -in his possession a Czech and a French passport, but afterwards I much -regretted that I had not perforated his papers with a bullet as they -rested in his breast pocket. He tramped along the road, and my sentries -deflected his course away from the trenches, but he saw my men scattered -about in the wood behind, and at daybreak the enemy artillery began to -spatter the wood with a plentiful supply of shrapnel and shells. One -dropped within twenty yards of myself and officers whilst at breakfast; -pitching just under a tree, it lifted it into the air in a truly -surprising manner. The number of shells--some of which were German -make--the enemy wasted on that wood proclaimed an abundant supply of -ammunition. To this persistent shelling we had nothing to reply, and at -last from sheer exhaustion the enemy fire died down. With darkness he -began again, and the feeble reply of three small mountain guns, which -we knew were with the Runovka Cossack outpost, indicated that an attack -was developing in that direction. - -The unequal duel continued intermittently until 2 A.M., when a field -telephone message informed me that Runovka had been abandoned, that the -Czech company was retiring across our front, and that Kalmakoff's -Cossacks were retiring over the river lower down and taking up a -position at Antonovka on our extreme right rear. This meant that our -whole defensive positions were completely turned, and the next enemy -move would place him near our lines of communication. - -This, however, was not our only difficulty. Until two days previous we -had been able to give an occasional shot in return for the many sent -towards us; then the Bolshevik gunners found the mark on the two guns -whose duty it was to prevent an advance along the railway, and our two -and only field guns were called in to fill the gap, leaving the infantry -without any artillery protection. I cabled to Commodore Payne, R.N., who -commanded H.M.S. _Suffolk_, at Vladivostok, informing him of our -critical position and asked him to send such artillery assistance as was -possible. The commodore was as prompt as is expected of the Navy. In an -incredibly short space of time he fitted up an armoured train with two -12-pounder Naval guns and two machine guns, and dispatched it at express -speed to my assistance, with a second similar train following behind, -the whole being under the command of Captain Bath, R.M.L.I. It is -scarcely possible to describe the feeling of relief with which our -exhausted and attenuated forces welcomed this timely aid from our -ever-ready Navy. It enabled us to bring the two Czech guns into position -to keep down the fire of the enemy, and gave us a sense of security in -that our rear was safe in case retirement should be forced upon us. It -put new heart into the men, though they never showed the slightest sign -of depression in spite of their many discomforts. The British soldier -certainly offers the most stolid indifference to the most unfavourable -situations. - -The Bolshevik leaders were not long in showing their hand. They remained -silent during the following day, but at night they began to shell us -from their new position in Runovka itself, selecting as the site for -their two batteries the hill on which the Orthodox church stood, and -using the Greek tower as their post of observation. - -About 9.30 A.M. an enemy armoured train moved slowly forward from -Shmakovka, followed by four others, which directed a flank fire at my -position. The shells all plunked into the marsh about four hundred yards -short, affording much amusement and causing many caustic Cockney -comments. Next came a troop train which gave us great hopes of a real -attack developing on our front, but our Naval 12-pounders on the -_Suffolk's_ armoured train began to do good practice, and a shot -registered on the front enemy engine caused volumes of steam to burst -from her sides, and great consternation suddenly appeared amongst the -trains' personnel. The Naval gunners did not seem inclined to lose the -mark, and so the whole attempt fizzled out, and the trains steamed back -to shelter. - -The two old Czech field guns, which had been repaired by H.M.S. -_Suffolk's_ artificers at "Vlady," wheeled into position behind a fold -in the ground on our right rear and began a duel with the two enemy -batteries at Runovka. This duel was most entertaining. The enemy -artillery searched our wood and works, and the line of trees occupied by -the French was plentifully sprayed with shrapnel, but they failed to -locate our guns, or get anywhere near them, or indeed to cause a single -casualty either to man or horse. During the night a peasant gave the -guns' position away, and in the early morning exchanges one gun came to -grief. The remaining gun changed position, and the duel became still -more interesting. By skilful manoeuvring the gun was got much nearer, -and at once the range was obtained to a nicety. Every shot was placed so -near the mark as to rouse the infantry's obvious excitement to fever -heat, and finally a shell was planted right into the enemy observation -tower, setting it on fire and burning it to the ground. By placing four -shells near to hand, and working like Trojans, the Czech gunners fired -four shots so rapidly as to deceive the enemy into the belief that four -guns were now opposing them, and after about two hours of this relay -work the enemy batteries were beaten to a frazzle, and retired from the -unequal contest with two guns out of action. It was simply magnificent -as a display of real efficient gunnery. There is no doubt the enemy had -intended to make an effort to cross the river at Runovka and that his -artillery had been placed with a view to protecting the passage of his -troops. The young Czech gunnery lieutenant by his stratagem with one -solitary field-piece had made this plan appear impossible to the enemy -commander. Never was deception more complete. - -Having felt our right flank and found it too strong, the enemy continued -his movement towards our right rear. He could only do this with safety -by correctly anticipating our strategy. He took our measure to a -military fraction. He saw that, though he offered the most tempting -bait, we made no effort to move forward to snap it up, and doubtless -came to the conclusion that we were chained to our positions by either -dearth of numbers or military incapacity. In the last stage of his -movement his communications stretched for twenty-three miles along our -flank, with three posts of just over one hundred men to protect his -supply trains. If the commander of that force is still alive he probably -has a poor opinion of the ability of his opponents. We were ready to -deal him a death-blow at any moment from the day he occupied Uspenkie -until he crossed the river before Antonovka. He and his column were only -saved by orders from Vladivostok. - -For two days no movement was observable in the enemy lines, and it began -to look as though he would or could not take full advantage of his -extremely favourable position. - -I had waged an unequal contest with millions of mosquitoes while trying -to sleep in a field telephone hut made of rough branches and marsh -grass. The Czech soldier who acted as operator had helped me as much as -possible, but at last in desperation I got up and walked about until the -wonderful colouring in the East heralded another glorious Siberian -summer day. The bluey-purple pall had given place to a beautiful -orange-tinted yellow such as I had never seen before. The sentry prodded -a sleeping Tommy who had a huge black frog sitting on the highest point -of his damp, dewy blanket, and a bugle glistening by his side. The -sleeper awoke, and after washing his lips at the tank, sounded the -soldiers' clarion call, the "Reveille." Instantly the whole bivouac was -alive, but scarcely had the bugle notes died away when the telephone -buzzer began to give forth a series of sharp, staccato sounds. The Czech -operator gave a sharp ejaculation, like "Dar! Dar! Dar!" looking more -serious as the sounds proceeded. He then calmly hung up the -speaking-tube on the tree that supported our home and began to explain -to my interpreter, Lieutenant Bolsaar, the message just received. It was -that Major Pichon wished to see me at his headquarters at once in -reference to the serious position of Antonovka. I mounted my horse, -"Nero," which was a beautiful present from Captain Pomerensiv on handing -over his command, and soon arrived at Kraevesk and heard the full story -of the surprise at Antonovka. - -From Major Pichon I gathered that Ataman Kalmakoff with his Cossacks had -taken up a position on the high ground in the village of Antonovka, -keeping touch with the French on his left, and a company of the 5th -Battalion of Czechs on his right, who guarded the road to Svagena, and -that though he posted sentries in the usual way during the night, the -enemy in large numbers crept between them, and when the alarm was given -and Kalmakoff mounted his horse he found some thirty of his men already -wounded or dead and his machine guns in enemy hands. Most of his troops -were in a cul-de-sac, and had to charge a high fence and by the sheer -weight of their horses break a way out. Kalmakoff with a few Cossacks -tried to retake the guns with a superb charge, but though he got through -himself he lost more men, amongst whom was a splendid fellow, his second -in command, named Berwkoff, who was greatly loved by us all. A Magyar -soldier seeing Kalmakoff with his Ataman banner borne by his side, took -a point-blank shot at his head, but he forgot the high trajectory of the -old Russian rifle, and the bullet merely grazed the top of the Cossack -leader's head and sent his _papaha_ into the mud. His banner-bearer -could not see his leader's cap so left, and jumped off his horse to -rescue it. Raising the cap from the ground, he found himself challenged -with the bayonet by the same Magyar soldier. He had no time to draw, but -with a mighty sweep, sword in scabbard, he felled the Magyar to the -ground; he had no time to dispatch him, and was barely able to get away. - -The Czech company was retiring slowly towards Svagena, and the Cossacks, -while keeping in touch with the enemy, were retiring towards the railway -on our rear. This was a very startling situation, and required immediate -action if we were not to be caught in a trap. - -We both decided that a retirement was the only alternative to being -completely surrounded. - -We there and then drew up the orders necessary to secure that the -retreat should be both methodical and orderly. The Czechs were to retire -first, past my lines, and entrain at Kraevesk, followed by the English -and the French, who were to bring up the rear, which was to be covered -by the English armoured train, assisted by the machine-gun section of -the Middlesex Regiment under Lieutenant King. So the evacuation of our -splendid position regretfully began. - - - - -CHAPTER III - -JAPAN INTERVENES - - -It should be remembered that directly it was decided by the Paris -Council that a diversion through Russia was the surest way of relieving -pressure on the French front, the English apparently decided to be first -in. Though Japan was unquestionably in the most favourable position to -send help quickly, she was known to have German commitments of such a -character as precluded her from taking the lead in what was, at that -time, more an anti-Teutonic than pro-Russian expedition. Her Press was, -and had been all through the war, violently pro-German, and however much -the Tokio Cabinet might wish to remain true to the Anglo-Japanese -Treaty, it was forced to make a seeming obeisance to popular feeling in -Japan. If it had been only an English expedition, Japan's hand would not -have been forced; but the American cables began to describe the rapid -organisation by the U.S.A. of a powerful Siberian expedition, which gave -the Japanese Government ample justification--even in the eyes of her -pro-German propagandists--to prepare a still larger force to enable her -to shadow the Americans, and do a bit of business on her own. Several -months earlier Japanese suspicions had been aroused by the dispatch to -Siberia of an alleged civilian railway engineering force to help Russia -reorganise her railways, and the immense benefit that this force had -admittedly conferred on the Far Eastern populations was acknowledged on -all sides. But the very success of American enterprise in this -beneficent direction had created in the minds of the Japanese a doubt as -to the wisdom of allowing free play to American penetration. - -Japan consequently hurried forward her preparations, and a few days -after I had taken over the Ussurie command her 12th Division, under the -command of General Oie, landed at Vladivostok. He at once established -his headquarters at Nikolsk, and his Chief of Staff, General Kanaka, -took up his position behind our lines at Svagena, using us as a screen -for the deployment of his command, which had already begun. - -Major Pichon informed me that he had telephoned the Japanese general at -Nikolsk describing the new situation on our front, and asking him to -move up sufficient forces from Svagena to protect our right. I went to -my wagon to get breakfast. A little later Major Pichon informed me that -the Japanese commander had asked us to suspend our retirement as he was -moving up from Svagena a battery of artillery and one battalion of -infantry, who would re-establish the position at Antonovka on our right -rear, from which we need not fear any further danger. In consequence of -this message I ordered my men to re-occupy their old positions, and by -9.30 we had carried out the orders of the Japanese commander. - -Having got back into our old position, we inquired the direction of the -Japanese advance that we might, if necessary, co-operate with their -movement, and to our utter consternation were informed that the Japanese -had not started, had no intention of doing so, and that we must take -what steps were necessary for our own safety, but if we retired at all -we were to fall back behind their lines and, we suppose, take no further -part in the operations. - -The first promise of help and its countermanding had placed us in an -extremely dangerous situation. We had left our positions once, and -nothing but the lack of vigilance on the part of the enemy had enabled -us to reoccupy them without fighting. Our movements must have been seen, -and though he had not understood them till too late to take full -advantage the first time, that he would allow us to get away so easily -again seemed to us to be very unlikely. In fact, it appeared as though -we had been sacrificed to give a clear field for some manoeuvre or -purpose which we could not understand. - -Our conference was a very urgent one, and for a time Major Pichon -thought it best to hang on to our positions and trust to someone making -an effort for our relief. Had British or American troops been collecting -in our rear, we would not have hesitated a moment to remain, for we -should have been certain of immediate help. - -We knew that a battalion of Czech infantry had been moved up from -Svagena towards Antonovka to threaten the enemy's outflanking columns, -and that this battalion had made it a dangerous proceeding for the enemy -to close in on our rear. Hence we decided to withdraw certain units to -Svagena, and for the remainder to retire to a position at Dukoveskoie -and make a new line from the railway through that village, thus linking -up with the Czech troops who had marched to our assistance; they would -thus become the extreme right of our new line. - -This movement would enable the Japanese 12th Division at Svagena to -continue their deployment behind our screen, and if the enemy continued -his outflanking tactics would involve the Japanese in the fighting -whether they willed it or not. - -The retirement was carried out as arranged in perfect order, with the -loss of very little material and not more than a dozen men taken -prisoners. The French were the last to entrain. The whole movement was -covered by the two armoured trains under the command of Captain Bath, -R.M.L.I. Before retiring the bluejackets blew up the bridge on our front -and otherwise destroyed the line in a very workmanlike manner. If we had -been supported, the retirement would have been quite unnecessary; it was -the result of lack of confidence in our Allies after the first let-down. - -The new line was held as follows: On the left of the railway one company -of Czech infantry; the two British armoured trains occupied the railway, -and a Middlesex machine-gun battery of four maxims occupied the right, -while the wooded slope leading to Dukoveskoie was held by the French, -and a battalion of Japanese infantry extended beyond the village. The -right of the village was very sparsely held by a reduced battalion of -the 5th Czech Regiment and Kalmakoff's Cossacks. The whole force was -under the personal command of Major Pichon. - -The enemy quickly repaired the bridges and the line, and within -forty-eight hours his armoured trains were observed moving cautiously -into Kraevesk, my old headquarters. Simultaneously his patrols advanced -from Antonovka and came into touch with Kalmakoff's scouts on the right, -and three days from our retirement his advanced elements were testing -our line from end to end. - -On the morning of August 22 the Japanese 12th Division began to move up -from Svagena to Dukoveskoie and deploy immediately behind the new line. -As is usual in all Japanese tactics, they pushed their right out far -beyond the enemy positions, and early in the evening began to envelop -his left with their usual wide turning movement. Their right was -supported by two heavy batteries, and from the centre, near Dukoveskoie -church, their units, now acting as a reserve, were in position before -sunset. Large bodies of Japanese troops were in bivouac immediately -behind the centre of the village near their headquarters ready to deploy -in either direction. - -On the evening of August 22 orders were received to push forward the -observation post of our armoured trains to a spot indicated, which -proved to be six hundred yards ahead of our positions and near enough to -be easily raided from the enemy lines. Lieutenant T.E. King, my -machine-gun officer, was at the same time ordered to move forward two -maxims, with a reduced company of Czech infantry in support to protect -this advanced post. The night was enlivened by constant skirmishes -between British and Terrorist patrols until about 8.30 A.M., when it was -observed that the Japanese patrols on the right had quietly retired -without giving any notice of their intention, and that the enemy were in -position on the plain for an attack and had already advanced along a -ridge to within a hundred yards of the outpost. The movements of the -enemy were observable only from the main look-out, from which orders -were already on the way gradually to withdraw the party to a position -nearer the lines. Before the order could be delivered the enemy -attacked. Lieutenant King proceeded to withdraw the guns alternately, -working the foremost gun himself, but defective ammunition frustrated -his effort. He gallantly tried to restart the gun, but the enemy were -now upon him, and he had no alternative but to retire without the gun. -The small Naval party in the advanced look-out were practically -surrounded, but under Petty Officer Moffat, who was in charge, they -managed to get out, with the enemy on their heels. This party was saved -by a marine named Mitchel, who, seeing Petty Officer Moffat in -difficulties, turned on his knee and faced his pursuers. Their fire was -erratic, but his was cool and accurate, and after three or four rounds -the Magyars kept their heads well down in the long marsh grass, which -permitted the party to escape. The result of this skirmish, however, -allowed the enemy armoured train to advance to a point dangerously near -our defensive works, which, with a little more enterprise and -determination, he might easily have enfiladed. But though the enemy -train had mounted a 6-inch gun our 12-pounder Navals were too smartly -handled to allow any liberties to be taken. This was the situation on -the morning that the Japanese 12th Division began to deploy behind the -new Allied line at Dukoveskoie. - -About 3 P.M. on August 23 I asked my liaison officer, Colonel R. -Antonivitch Frank, of the Russian Army, to accompany me towards the -front line, as I had heard rumours of large concentrations of the enemy, -who, elated with this small initial success, seemed determined to -dispute our possession of the village of Dukoveskoie. I arrived in time -to witness a duel between one of our armoured trains and a rather -spirited fellow of the same sort on the other side. The Bolshevik shells -would persist in dropping to the right of our train on a road on which -Colonel Frank and I were sitting our horses, so we decided to dismount -and send the animals out of range, while we boarded the train and -enjoyed the contest. One of our 12-pounders went groggy and obliged us -to retire slightly, but we dared not go back far, as the Terrorist train -had all the appearance of following, and would soon have made short work -of our infantry, which were occupying very indifferent trenches near the -railway, Captain Bath saw the danger and steamed forward, firing -rapidly; shells burst all round his target, and so bewildered his -opponent that he soon turned tail and retired to safety. I applied to -the Japanese commander, General Oie, through Major Pichon that our -trains, directly it was dark, might be allowed to return to Svagena to -shunt the injured gun to the rear train. About 7 P.M., while preparing -to return for this purpose, a few sharp rifle-cracks were heard near the -centre of the line. These reports grew rapidly in volume, and now became -mixed up with the bass "pop-pop" of machine guns. The rolling sound of -conflict spread from the centre along the whole right front. Till now it -had been exclusively a small-arm fight. At this point the Bolshevik -artillery began to chime in, followed by the Japanese and Czech -batteries. The lovely Siberian summer night became one huge booming, -flashing inferno, terrible but intensely attractive. The silent -tree-clad mountains to right and left vibrated with the music of battle, -while shell and shrapnel screeched like frightened ghouls over the -valley below, where white and yellow men were proving that there is no -colour bar to bravery. This din lasted about two hours, and then died -away almost as rapidly as it began. - -Our trains which had remained to take a hand in the business if -necessary steamed slowly back to Svagena, and I turned into my wagon for -the night. After the usual battle with the mosquitoes, I fell asleep, -but it seemed as though I had only slept a few minutes, when a banging -at the door announced a visitor, who turned out to be a Staff captain -from the Japanese Headquarters with an urgent message for the Commander -of the Reserves at Svagena, who with great ceremony handed me the -following order of the day: - -"To COLONEL WARD, - Officer Commanding Reserves. - Operation Order by -LIEUT.-GENERAL S. OIE, - Commanding 12th Division, - Svagena. - -"_August 23, 1918._ - -"1. All enemy attacks were driven back to-day. We gained two - machine guns and five captives. - -"2. The Allied troops will attack the enemy, inflicting upon -them an annihilating disaster, to-morrow, August 24. - -"3. The Japanese troops will attack the enemy, starting the -present line, at 3 o'clock, the 24th, morning. - -"4. The reserve British, French, Kalmakoff's forces, and a few -Japanese companies will be under the command of Japanese. Colonel -Inagaki will arrive at the north-western side of Dukoveskoie at -2 o'clock to-morrow morning. - -"(Signed) S. OIE, - Lieut.-General, - Commanding 12th Division." - - - - -CHAPTER IV - -THE BATTLE OF DUKOVESKOIE AND KRAEVESK - - -I Looked at my watch, and called the Japanese officer's attention to the -fact that the time was 1.45 A.M., and that Dukoveskoie was four miles -distant. Although he could speak perfect English, he held out his hand -and with a profound bow pretended not to understand the point of my -observation. It was in point of time simply impossible to arouse the -British, Czech, Cossack and Japanese detachments and march four miles in -the middle of the night in fifteen minutes; but I had lived long enough -in the East to know that the Oriental never sets a European impossible -tasks without a good reason from his own point of view. I dispatched -orderlies to each detachment with definite instructions to be ready to -move at once. The Japanese refused to move or even get out of their -tents. The Czechs were enjoying a much-needed rest, and refused to -budge, while Kalmakoff's Cossacks remained asleep beside their horses. -Ataman Kalmakoff was at Vladivostok, and his second in command was -dismissed on his return for refusing to obey my orders, as the Ataman -was most anxious that his men should be always in the fighting line -wherever it might be. Captain Clark, M.C., reported the 25th Middlesex -as ready to march, transport and all complete, twenty-five minutes -after receiving the order. - -To make doubly sure there was no mistake, I called personally upon the -Japanese officer, who point-blank refused either to arouse or move his -men in accordance with his own Headquarters' order. I am bound to admit -that from that moment I had a suspicion that the order of General Oie -was so much Japanese camouflage, and that it was not intended that we -should take any part in the immediate operations. I also determined to -frustrate this attempt to exclude the Allies from participation, and -gave the order to my own men to move. - -Our road for about two miles lay alongside the railway, after which the -soddened nature of the ground and the danger of losing direction in the -darkness forced me to take to the railway. About a mile and a half along -the track brought us to our armoured trains, where we were to pick up -our Machine-Gun Section, which was to act with us if necessary, or -remain as a reserve or rallying-point in case of need. Except for the -sentries, the train crews were asleep, and almost within rifle range of -our place of assembly. I halted my men and roused Captain Bath to -inquire if he had received instructions as to his part in the coming -battle. He informed me that he had received a telephone message from -General Oie (through Major Pichon) which he could not understand and had -asked for it to be repeated. He thereupon produced the message, which -was to the effect that a battle would commence at 3 A.M., but that the -British armoured trains and the British troops were not to be allowed -to take any part in the impending engagement. On the production of the -actual message I began to understand why the order of battle had been -given to me too late for me to be at the rendezvous with Colonel -Inagaki, and the refusal of the units of my command to march with me. -These instructions to Captain Bath from the Japanese Headquarters -explained the riddle. I gave Captain Bath instructions to move forward -in my support in case of need and to watch the proceedings generally, to -render aid to any Allied detachment which might be in difficulties, and -otherwise to obey General Oie's orders. This duty he performed with -complete satisfaction to the commanders of the French and Czech -detachments. - -Having arranged my rear, the men of the 25th were ordered to move -forward in file on each side of the railway track to the point selected -for our rendezvous. The time was now 3.25 A.M., the dull light of -dawning day enabling us to distinguish moving objects four hundred yards -away. A scout came back to report the presence of cavalry on the left, -but in the early morning haze we could not make out whether it was -friendly or enemy. I moved my troops to the opposite side of the railway -embankment and prepared to receive their charge. I then dispatched my -liaison officer, Colonel Frank, forward to discover their strength and -character. He quickly returned with the information that the cavalry was -Japanese, moving into position on our extreme left. I re-formed my men -and advanced towards my position as ordered, ninety minutes behind -time. I halted and examined the ground, but saw nothing of Colonel -Inagaki or any of the detachments on the spot selected for our assembly. -Standing on the line, I saw the foremost enemy armoured train about four -hundred yards ahead, and their outpost giving the alarm. No shot had so -far been fired, but I gave the order to load. At this stage an incident -happened which put an end to the hitherto silent advance of the -attacking army. In the act of loading a rifle went off accidentally. The -soldier to whom it belonged was standing just behind me, and I ordered -Captain Browne to examine and report. In doing so the rifle again went -off; it saved the man from punishment, but it began the battle. There -was a puff of white smoke, and an instant later a 5-inch shell burst -over our heads. The men opened out into the corn and scrub, and I -dismounted while the advance continued. Taking my servant's rifle, I led -the way. - -The enemy must have anticipated our rendezvous, for the place was -ploughed with shells from end to end. The first pitched just under the -centre of a peasant's cottage, and in a moment cottage and peasant were -no more. The heavy purple pall hung on the ground, and had we been on -the spot selected, this description would have been written by other -hands than mine. By the increasing light and the aid of my glasses I was -able to make out the entire scheme of the advance, which was a -continuous line from one mile on the left of the railway, extending to -about ten miles on our right. A space of about one hundred yards on each -side of the line was unoccupied--for the reason, as I afterwards -learnt, that it was considered too exposed and dangerous for the purpose -of an advance. Unable to find anyone to direct my movements, on my own -initiative I decided to fill this vacant space, so making the line -continuous, and move forward with the Japanese to the attack. Disposing -my men in the shelter of the scrub on either side of the railway, I -directed their movements from the centre of the track. There was an ugly -moment when a maxim situated in a cornfield began to fire point-blank at -a range of one hundred yards, but a Czech outpost entrenched quite near -made it so hot for the gunner that after firing about 150 rounds he -scooted, leaving a well-placed gun and 5,000 rounds, all belted, behind. -We now advanced over the Czech and French trenches, for these forces, -like our armoured trains, had been ordered to take no part in the -advance. It was while near these trenches that a grey-coated Magyar, -four hundred yards away, took deliberate standing aim at myself. It was -a most difficult shot, and I felt quite safe, but though the Magyar -missed me, he killed a Czech soldier five yards to the left, the bullet -entering the centre of his forehead just over the nose. About sixty -shots answered his, and he sank across the rails. When we reached him he -lay, with many others, quite dead. Captain Clark picked up his rifle and -bandolier, and used it with good effect upon the retreating enemy. - -There is no doubt that if we had failed to get into position under the -cover of darkness we should have had the greatest difficulty in making -any headway along the railway except with very heavy casualties. As I -have stated previously, the end car of the enemy armoured train had a -6-inch gun, but it was mounted so high that the whole platform could be -swept with rifle-fire. The reason for the high mounting was to enable -two machine guns to be worked along the track from the bed of the car -under the heavy gun. If our advance had been observed the enemy would -easily have smashed it, but we got within 400 yards before they knew we -were there. By concentrating all our fire on the end of the car we swept -the platform clear, perforated the body underneath with a hail of -bullets so that nothing could live, and put every gun which could be -brought to bear along the track out of action. By this means the -apparently most dangerous point of our advancing line became the safest, -and we accomplished our purpose without a single casualty. Five enemy -armoured trains were on the line disputing every inch of the way, but -their shrapnel was either too high or exploded so far behind the front -line that, though it made havoc amongst the laggards, it had but little -effect upon those who kept well to the front. The battle was now joined -at all points and reaching the decisive moment. - -In the centre by skilful manoeuvring, a Japanese 5-inch battery had -taken up a position actually in front of the general infantry advance. -Such daring deserved to succeed, and in this case it did so beyond all -expectations. The point selected was a thin group of trees, which gave a -view of the railway from the left, across the plain to Kraevesk, and -enabled the leading enemy trains to be shelled almost from the flank. -The infantry, while still going methodically forward, were receiving far -too much attention to feel comfortable, and Japanese soldiers were -putting tufts of grass and leaves in front of their caps to hide the red -band, which made an excellent target for riflemen and machine-gunners. -Occasionally one would rub a handful of mud around the tell-tale band; -experience soon taught the Japanese soldiers the dangers of a little -colour. It was just ding-dong open fighting, wonderfully spectacular in -character. Then a shell burst plunk under the line behind the two -foremost enemy trains, which made retreat for them impossible. Desperate -efforts were made to repair the line, but well-directed rifle and light -machine-gun fire made this impracticable. Another well-placed shell -dropped just under the gunners' quarters on the front train, and -instantly the car was enveloped in flames. In turn the fire spread to -the gun-carriage, which had become untenable from rifle-fire. This -proved a complete catastrophe for the enemy, who from positions on our -extreme left and centre had a full view of the slaughter around the -doomed trains. Their nerves were completely shattered, their fire became -spasmodic and erratic, and then among the trees on a hill to the left -appeared a white flag. - -That flag was too late. The Japanese cavalry shot out in file as a -straight extension of our left. Having come parallel with the farthest -group of resistance, they right turned, and instantly swept up the slope -in a beautiful line and forward over all resistance, white flag and -all. They took no prisoners. - -My men were only "B one-ers," and the pace was beginning to tell; still -they were leading, owing to the fact that our advance was along the -railway and the usual tracks at the side, while the Japanese had to -contend with the marshes and woods farther away. I therefore ordered a -rally, and advanced only with such troops as could be reasonably -expected to keep the line. This party numbered about sixty, and included -Captain Clark, the Padre (Captain Roberts), Lieutenant Buckley, my Czech -interpreter (Vladimir), Regimental Sergt.-Major Gordon, Sergeant Webb -(who, I am sorry to say, died a few days later at Spascoe), Colonel -Frank (my liaison officer), and rank and file. With this party we -advanced within fifty yards of part of the burning train, amid a shower -of debris from the exploding shells stored in its magazine. The second -train looked quite deserted, and therefore, beyond examining the -ammunition cart of a 5-inch gun left derelict on the road and counting -ten rounds of unfired ammunition, we passed without molestation up the -railway embankment on the way to Kraevesk. - -We had passed the trains and left them about two hundred yards in our -rear when we were startled by rapid rifle-fire behind us. On looking -round, we were astonished to see spiteful jets of rifle-fire issuing -from both sides of the uninjured train directed against thick bunches of -Japanese troops who were passing along the track over which we had just -advanced. Even the Eastern temperament has limits to its serenity. For -a moment the Japs were completely off their guard, but they soon -recovered, and dropping flat in the grass, they opened a brisk -fusillade. The Magyars were protected by the plated sides of their -wagons, and were making sad havoc amongst the soldiers of the Rising -Sun. Taking in the situation at a glance, a Japanese officer gave the -order to charge. Every man instantly bounded forward, and, like a -disturbed nest of ants, they swarmed all over the train, stabbing, -clubbing and bayoneting every Bolshevik they could get at, tossing their -dead enemies out of the carriages off their bayonets with the same -motion as if they were shovelling coal. Then they posted a sentry on the -highest part of each train, and the gun in the road, and called them -their "trophies of war." My great regret was that no Bolshevik was left -alive to tell us the reason why they allowed about sixty English -officers and soldiers to pass unmolested at point-blank range of about -forty yards, and only began to fire when the Japanese soldiers came -under their rifles. Many explanations were given at the time, none of -which seemed to be quite satisfactory, so the mystery remains. - -It was here that a polite request was made that the British detachment -should not keep so far ahead of the other troops, but I was anxious to -keep well ahead for an important reason. The Bolsheviks had ravaged and -tortured both young and old, rich and poor, male and female throughout -the country till their very name stank in the nostrils of the common -people. Their blood lust had been so great that when they had no -Russian peasant to torture they fell back on the poor unfortunate Czech -soldiers who had fallen into their hands as prisoners of war. Many -authentic cases of this kind are so revolting in character that it is -better to keep them in the dark rather than advertise how fiendishly -cruel men can be to one another. I knew that the Czechs had threatened -to retaliate. The incident of the white flag previously recorded may -have had something to do with the same sentiment, though I can scarcely -think it had. I decided, however, that the more humane rules of war -should apply so far as I was concerned, and I soon had a chance of -making a demonstration of my views before the whole army. A fugitive -Bolshevik soldier had escaped from the Japanese cavalry, and started to -make his way across our left front in an attempt to join the retreating -Bolshevik trains. Exhausted by the heavy going of the marsh, he had -dropped for cover and rest. The Japanese line was fast approaching the -spot where he had taken shelter, so he raised himself from the grass and -began to run. I levelled my servant's rifle, but misjudged the distance, -and he took no notice. I took aim at a point over his head, and he -dropped in the grass so suddenly that Colonel Frank thought I had killed -him. As we approached the spot his black hair showed up above the green, -and I took aim again, but did not fire. I informed Colonel Frank I -wanted the man, if he would surrender, to be an example of how a -prisoner of war should be treated. Colonel Frank shouted to the man to -surrender. The man shouted back that the Japanese killed all prisoners. -He was then informed that I was an English officer, and if he would -surrender I guaranteed his life unless he had committed some greater -crime than merely fighting as a Bolshevik soldier. He made no further -parley, but almost ran to me as for protection. I was standing on the -embankment, in full view for miles, and it was easy for the whole -incident to be seen. I took his rifle, with fixed bayonet, and bandolier -and fifty rounds from him. His papers showed him to be a demobilised -Russian soldier. I placed him under a guard of two men with orders to -see him safely to the rear. Time after time demands were made to his -guards to allow the murder of the prisoner. But those two British -bayonets made his life as safe as though he had been in Trafalgar -Square. I could tell by the atmosphere which the incident created that -our Allies thought this regular conduct wholly out of place on a -battlefield, but it fulfilled its purpose, and surrenders were accepted -during the further operations. - -Our progress was now very rapid, and except for a few bursts of shrapnel -which continued to fly harmlessly over the front ranks and injure such -as were far behind, we approached our old station, Kraevesk, easily. As -to the method from the military point of view of approaching this place, -the less said about it the better. A single company of British troops -would have held up the whole show and inflicted losses on the attackers -out of all proportion to the object gained. The stuffing, however, was -completely knocked out of the Bolshevik army, and the advance took more -the form of beaters driving big game. Having previously reconnoitred the -whole ground, I again chose the railway for my party. The Japanese -swarmed up through the wooded slope on the right. I chose the railway -because I knew the shallow cutting had a slight curve which would give a -safe line of approach to the station, situated about three hundred yards -behind this low-lying hill. The Japs advanced through the wood in -masses, huge bunches of men without regular formation. On rounding the -curve, I saw an enemy armoured train about four hundred yards distant. A -Bolshevik officer walked leisurely out of our old headquarters and put -one foot on the step of the engine, looking straight at myself standing -on the line. I drew a bead on him with Lance-Corporal's Moorman's rifle. -I do not believe I hit him, but I was near enough to make him skip -quickly into the engine shelter. A flash from the leading gun, and a -2-inch shell passed so close to my head that I fell into the four-foot -way, and felt the top of my skull to find out if it was still there. -This shell exploded about one hundred yards behind me and mortally -wounded two Japanese and injured several others. The machine guns on the -train now swept the wood, where the Japs were advancing, with such -effect that for a few moments there was a regular stampede back over the -brow of the hill. My party had taken cover in the scrub on the left, and -I crawled on hands and knees in their direction. I found a deep dyke at -the foot of the cutting covered with high weeds, and into this I rolled. -Gradually raising my head over the thistles, I potted rapidly at the -gunner, and my party did the same. - -The Japs by this time had recovered from their first shock, and began to -open fire on the train, which steamed slowly back to the far end of the -station, when it came to a standstill and pumped shrapnel along our -front. We had got far ahead of our artillery, so it became a contest of -rifle versus armoured train. On the left of the station was a thick log -store, and keeping that between ourselves and the armoured train, we -crept into the station and began to fire at close range at the gunners, -whose heads appeared above the sides of the armoured carriages. The -Japanese used a red brick cottage for a similar purpose on the other -side, while others tried to outflank the train and cut off its retreat. -The officer in charge detected this manoeuvre, and, using all his guns, -he retired behind the hill, and later was reported as steaming towards -Shmakovka. We took possession of the station, and near our old -headquarters found a hut in which was the Bolshevik officers' breakfast, -with potatoes cooked to a nicety on the fire. These were looted by -Colonel Frank and Sergeant-Major Gordon. The sun was very hot--the time -was about 8.30 A.M.--we had fought over very difficult country for -twelve miles, and as we sat on the crossing of the railway the potatoes -were very good. By some hopeless blunder the Japanese cavalry had been -ordered to close in from the flank on this station instead of the next, -so we lost the huge bag of prisoners which was waiting to be captured. -The Jap cavalry commander sat down and sampled my potatoes, but he lost -the culminating stroke of the whole movement. This small minor action -proved to be one of the most decisive of the war, as it destroyed the -whole Terrorist army east of the Urals. - -I was ordered by General Otani to remain in reserve, and returned to my -base at Svagena to find the proverbial luck of my battalion had been -maintained. The Japs had over six hundred casualties, some of which -occurred close to my men, but not a man of the 25th was hit. We had many -cases of complete prostration, but, in view of the category of my unit, -not more than was to be expected considering the strenuous month's work -they had undergone. One and all behaved like Englishmen--the highest -eulogy that can be passed upon the conduct of men. - -General Oie sent a letter of special thanks to the Commanding Officer of -the British unit for their great services in the engagement. At 4.25 -P.M., August 28, I received the following communication from the General -Headquarters: - -"1. On August 26 the Division had occupied the heights situated at the -north of Shmakovka. The inhabitants reported the enemy had left there -between nine and twelve on the night of August 24 by eleven trains, -strength of which was about 5,000 men; 2,000 men retired by road from -Uspenkie. The Division bivouacked at Shmakovka. - -"2. On the 27th the enemy continued their retreat to the north of the -River Ussurie, and no enemy could be seen to the south of it, though -nine railway bridges out of ten between Shmakovka and Ussurie had been -destroyed. Damage done is some ten metres each, and a few days would be -required to repair them. The Ussurie railway bridge is not damaged, and -on the night of the 26th, after a small detachment had occupied it, one -company of infantry reinforced. Against the enemy on Lake Hanka, which -was known to have gone down the river with gunboats, one company of -infantry has been dispatched to the right bank of Ussurie east of -Shmakovka. - -"3. The Division remains at the present position, and prepares to move -forward on the 28th." - -This completed the Ussurie operations, for the battle was absolutely -decisive. The enemy were entirely demoralised, and never made another -stand east of Lake Baikal. - - - - -CHAPTER V - -JAPANESE METHODS AND ALLIED FAR-EASTERN POLICY - - -The Japanese, for their own peculiar reasons, as will have already -appeared, had decided in the early stages of the operations that the -maritime provinces were their special preserve. They looked with the -greatest suspicion upon the forces and efforts of the other Allies, -especially British and American, and by their orders tried deliberately -to exclude them from their counsels and as far as possible from the -administration of the territory recovered from the Terrorists. The 27th -Battalion of American Infantry had landed at Vladivostok a few days -before the battle of Dukoveskoie, and promises were made that they -should be hurried forward to take a share in the fighting; but the -Japanese, who controlled the railway, saw to it that they arrived a day -late. Instead of pushing them ahead, they were detrained at Svagena, and -then entrained again from day to day, always about fifty versts behind -the Japanese front. In addition the Japanese never trusted their Allies. -No order to the Japanese Army was ever given to the Allied commanders -until the operation had been carried out or had got to such a stage as -to make it impossible for them to take part or offer suggestions. - -Captain Stephan (now Major), of the Czech Army, and myself knew every -road and track from Shmakovka to Svagena, and were certain that with -proper care the whole enemy force on the Ussurie front could have been -destroyed or captured. The Japanese would neither consult nor inform any -of their Allies about any movement until it had taken place. They -treated the Czech commanders with the most scant courtesy; the English -officers' carriages were invaded by their private soldiers, who would -insolently ask what business we had in Siberia and when did we propose -to go home; but they reserved their most supreme contempt for the -Russian people. These poor wretches they drove off the railway -platforms, using the butts of their rifles upon the women as well as the -men, just as though they were dealing with a tribe of conquered -Hottentots. I did not understand this behaviour on the part of our -Eastern Ally, and felt it could only be the irresponsible bullying of a -few individual men and officers. Later on I found it to be the general -policy of the Japanese Army to treat everybody as inferior to -themselves; they had learnt this Hun lesson to a nicety. - -I give two instances which are neither glaring nor isolated, but of -which no doubt official record remains. I was standing on Nikolsk -platform waiting for a train; there was a crowd of Russian people, and a -Japanese sentry was standing near. This man quite suddenly darted -forward and jammed the butt of his rifle in the centre of a Russian -officer's back; the force of the blow knocked him flat on the floor in -such pain that he rolled about for a few minutes, while the Jap, -grinning, held his bayonet at the "On guard!" Though there were many -standing near, not one Russian had the pluck to shoot him, and not -wishing to mix myself up in the affair, I took no action, but watched -further developments. Ten minutes later another Jap sentry repeated the -performance, but this time the victim was a well-dressed Russian lady. -So cowed were the Russian people that even her friends were afraid to -help her. I stepped forward to offer assistance, with the Jap standing -over me; when, however, he saw my revolver he put up his bayonet, but -continued to laugh as though it was a huge joke. A few Tommies were -attracted to the spot, and the Jap saw that things were beginning to -take a serious turn. I proceeded to the Japanese Headquarters, situated -in a carriage near by, and reported the occurrence. The officer seemed -astonished that I should interfere on behalf of mere Russians, who he -said may have been Bolsheviks for all he knew, and inquired whether the -sentry had ever treated me so. I answered that "the first Japanese that -touches an English officer or soldier in my presence will be a dead -man." This seemed to surprise the Japanese officer, who pointed out that -the Japanese were in occupation of Siberia, and were entitled to do what -they liked. I had to inform him that the Japanese were acting in -alliance with the other Powers, including Russia; that we were here as -the friends of the Russian people, and not as their conquerors. This he -would or could not understand. I ended the interview by warning him that -if his sentries were not instructed to behave a little less like -savages, there would be an end to those sentries' careers. I later -heard that the interview did good, but could not in the case of Japanese -troops do more than slightly mitigate their behaviour to the defenceless -Russian inhabitants. - -That is merely a type of their conduct towards ordinary people. There -is, however, one excuse for them: given the right circumstances, they -treat all alike. A battalion commander was not quite the sort of -material to operate upon, for the simple reason that he was usually -surrounded with sufficient force to secure proper respect, but a general -without a powerful escort was always fair sport for their gentle -attentions. Not even the chief of the British Military Mission could -hope to escape from the most insulting behaviour. An incident placed my -unit in charge of a part of the telegraph system, which enabled me to -handle personally the sort of message which entered the Japanese -Headquarters relative to a special train that was approaching their -station. I handled the message myself. It ran as follows: - -"A special train, No. ........., will enter your section at ......... -time; it conveys the chief of the British Military Mission, General -........., and Staff from Vladivostok to Ufa for important conference -with General Surovey, the Commander-in-Chief of the Czech and Russian -Armies. You will please give 'line clear' throughout the journey." Did -the Japanese give "line clear" throughout? That will never be the way -that this highly efficient and interesting little people will do -anything, if their army is a sample of the whole. They stopped the -train, and boarded it with a squad of men with fixed bayonets. They -insulted the chief of the British Mission by placing him and his Staff -under arrest, and then proceeded to make elaborate inquiries to find out -whether they were not German emissaries in disguise. The impudence of -the whole proceeding was so remarkable and yet characteristic that when -the Staff of the General reported the occurrence to me I did not for a -moment know whether I should die with rage or laughter. - -I went to Siberia entirely biassed in favour of this admittedly -wonderful people. I took care to instruct my soldiers to salute every -Japanese officer and to be most polite to every Japanese soldier, and -they carried out my instructions to the letter; but my attention was -called to the fact that only on rare occasions did a Japanese officer -take the trouble to return the salute of my men, and still more rarely -did a Japanese soldier salute an English officer. He was much more -likely to give an insulting grimace. I say quite frankly that I admire -the workmanlike way the Japanese go about their soldierly duties, but it -is impossible to ignore their stupidly studied arrogance towards those -who are anxious to be on terms of peace and amity with them. It is -unfortunately true that they were misled into believing that Germany was -ordained to dominate the world, and, believing this, they shaped their -conduct upon this awful example. They quite openly boast that they are -the Germans of the East. Let us hope that they will read aright the -recent lesson of history. - -During my stay in the maritime provinces I never saw or heard of a -single act or order from the Japanese Headquarters which would help in -the slightest degree in the administrative reorganisation of the -country. On the contrary I saw many things which convinced me that the -Land of the Rising Sun was at that time more concerned in maintaining -disorder as the surest way of fostering her own ambitious designs. - -At this stage the other Allies were without a Far-Eastern policy. Their -sole object was to push back as far as possible the German-Magyar -forces, which were carrying out the sinister policy of Teutonic -penetration under the guise of Bolshevism. Bolshevism in the Far East at -this date was an attempt to reduce to a system the operations of the -Chinese robber bands of the Mongolian border. Mixed with and led by -released German and Magyar prisoners of war, they became a formidable -force for destroying all attempts at order in Russia and resisting the -possible reconstruction of the Russian front against the Central Powers. -Previous to the Bolshevist regime these Chinese bands had lived by -murder and loot; it was their trade, though hitherto considered illegal, -and sometimes severely punished. No wonder they joined the Soviet -crusade when it declared robbery and murder to be the basis upon which -the new Russian democracy must rest. This German-Magyar-Chinese -combination was bound to meet with remarkable initial success. The -Chinese got his blood and loot in a legal way without much danger, and -the German prisoner played an important part in the defence of the -Fatherland and the destruction of its enemies. - -If Germany lost on the Western Front, and by means of this unnatural -combination still retained her hold upon the potential wealth of the -late Tsar's dominions, she had indeed won the war. This was the reason -for our presence in Siberia, but it was not the reason for the presence -of Japan. - - - - -CHAPTER VI - -ADMINISTRATION - - -Shortly after the incidents referred to in Chapter IV, I received -General Otani's orders to take over the command of the railway and the -districts for fifty versts on either side, from Spascoe to Ussurie -inclusive. My duty was to guard the railway and administer the district, -taking all measures necessary to keep open this section of the line of -communications. I was instructed to fix my headquarters at Spascoe, and -make all arrangements to winter there. In accordance therewith I -proceeded to get into touch with what remained of the old Russian -authorities, civil and military, and the new ones wherever such had been -created. So far as the men's comfort was concerned, new roads were -constructed and old ones repaired, broken windows and dilapidated walls -and woodwork were either replaced or renovated. Electrical appliances -were discovered and fixed, and what had previously been a dull, dark -block of brickwork suddenly blossomed out into a brilliantly lighted -building and became at night a landmark for miles around. - -We also began painfully to piece together the broken structure of human -society. For over a year no law but force had been known in these -regions, and many old wrongs and private wounds demanded liquidation. I -made many journeys to outlandish villages and settlements, with a small -personal escort, fixed a table in the centre of the street, and with the -aid of the parish priest and the president of the local council, heard -and decided disputes, public and private, from threats and injury to the -person to the possession and occupation of a farm. There was no -appeal--the stolid Tommies who stood behind me with fixed bayonets put -my judgments beyond question. I remitted one or two points of property -law to legal decision, but all parties in each case protested that they -would have preferred my instant judgment. Three murderers I remitted to -a court which I called together with an old Russian officer to preside, -but he was so terrified at the prospect of having to order their -execution for fear they might be Bolsheviks--whose name was a terror to -everybody--that I had to send them to another district to enable the law -to be carried out. The report of these proceedings spread with such -rapidity that it became quite embarrassing, if not impossible, to deal -effectively and thoroughly with the daily increasing number of -litigants. I began to understand the reason why in more civilised -communities legal proceedings are made so expensive. Either the Russian -peasant is a most litigious person, or else he mistook a free system of -justice as a healthy English pastime which he thoroughly enjoyed. - -It was extremely flattering to be told that these people preferred that -the "Anglisky Polkovnika Boorpg" should decide their disputes than that -they should be reserved for a Russian tribunal. It was the most -interesting work I had so far done in the country. The trial of even the -simplest case gave me many insights to Russian institutions and -character that only years of book study could otherwise have -accomplished. I learnt the difference between the right of the peasant -holder as compared with that of the Cossack circle. The law of the -forest afforded an education in itself. The intimate relationship of -Russian family life, from the highest to the lowest, was constantly laid -bare before me with all its romance and mediaeval trappings and its -sordid substratum of violence and superstition. In fact, I became so -interested in this work that it was with the greatest regret that I -relinquished it for a more urgent and important call. - -The Allied forces in the Transbaikal had now accomplished their task of -dispersing the forces of lawlessness, and had made some progress in the -work of administration, but if this work was to be consolidated and made -of permanent value it must be given a centre, other than the Allied -command, around which it could rally and to which it might reasonably -look for guidance and support. The Siberian Government had been -established by the alive elements of the old regime and the more showy -members of the Social Revolutionary party, but their authority was -ignored and their orders were not often conspicuous for their wisdom. -This great people can do almost anything, but even they cannot live -without a head, and the question was, how was some sort of head to be -provided? The Allies had taken control of the far-eastern provinces, -but, if their object was to be carried through and German designs -frustrated, it was necessary to push at once their control to the Urals -and, if possible, beyond. The brilliant feats of the Czechs had -temporarily thrown the Terrorist forces into confusion, but with -wealthy, helpless Russia as their prize cupidity alone would be -sufficient to excite them to renewed effort. To be effective, Allied -help and activity must be transferred nearer to the scene of actual -conflict, and Ekaterinburg or Omsk appeared to be the only possible -centres which could provide the proper accommodation and surroundings -for this next step in the Allied programme. This much as a general -proposition was conceded by all, but everybody held differing views as -to the way in which it should be carried out. - -Japan, having firmly planted her feet in the much-coveted maritime -provinces, did not look with enthusiasm upon the suggestion that she -should leave what she most wanted in order to lessen the pressure upon a -front in which she had no interest. That Paris should fall under German -blows was of no importance compared with American control of the Chinese -Eastern Railway or the presence of the _Brooklyn_ at Vladivostok. - -America had not exactly made up her mind what particular part of the Far -East was most precious in her eyes, but wished to be friendly with -everybody and get as much as possible out of all. Her armies were on the -Western front, but her eyes were on the Eastern Pacific, and was it not -better after all to remain where you could keep an eye on the other -fellow? - -Who would think of taking a military force over six thousand miles from -its base through a partially hostile country? Would it get through the -many dangers and difficulties it was certain to encounter on the way? -And if it did, who could guarantee a friendly reception? and if not, how -could a ghastly disaster be avoided? These were some of the problems -which called for decision, and once decided could never be recalled. - -The Americans and the Japanese were otherwise occupied and therefore not -available, and though it may seem mere national egotism to make such a -statement, there was only one force in which moderate Russians of all -parties had absolute confidence--without which anything might happen. -All eyes turned to the old "Die-Hard" Battalion which had now proved its -mettle on land and sea. - -Russian society had been ripped up by the roots, and the whole country -reduced to a huge human jungle. Human life was at a discount, in fact -was the cheapest thing in the country. If a centre of order was to be -created anywhere, force must be provided for its initial protection. -Statecraft cannot work with violence ever threatening its very life. The -risks were great, a big force would create suspicion, a small force must -rely upon something more than mere bayonets for its safety. It was with -due regard to its dangers, but with a certainty that it was worth it, -that I accepted the task which the fates had forced upon me. - -We had settled down for a winter in Spascoe, when I received the -necessary orders to proceed to Omsk, with the suggestion that before -executing them I had better visit Headquarters at Vladivostok for a -conference with General Knox. I tried to get a carriage suitable for the -journey for my Staff from the railway authorities, but failed, and ended -by purloining a cattle-truck. In this contraption we got as far as -Nikolsk, where our truck was to have been hung on to the Harbin Express; -but the station-master, the best type of Russian public official, -thought it a disgrace that the Commander and Staff of their most trusted -Ally should travel so. He placed his private car at my disposal on my -promise to return the same if and when I could find another. We arrived -at "Vlady," and in four days had completed the arrangements for the move -and secured verbal and documentary instructions as to the general policy -to be pursued. The means to be employed to worm my way towards the Urals -were left entirely to myself. - -I had already formed a very high opinion of the Russian character. Much -can be done by sympathy and persuasion, but if they fail, then the "big -stick" of Peter the Great, used sparingly, is the only method which is -certain to secure obedience to orders. - -On the return journey I was hung up at Nikolsk for several days. Heavy -rains had caused the valleys and marshes to become flooded, and a -haystack which had been carried off its bed by the water had lodged -against the temporary sleeper buttress and swept the bridge away. The -hay had held the torrent back till it became so high that it rushed -over about two miles of the railway, destroying that also. The Japs -would not repair the damage, nor for some time would they give a chance -for the Russians to do so. I managed to get orders through to Major -Browne so that no time was actually lost. It was estimated that it would -take seven days to get on the move, but by a general hustle all round in -three days we began our 5,000 miles journey. Starting from Spascoe we -travelled to Nikolsk, and then turned back up the Manchurian-Chinese -Eastern Railway. On arriving at Nikolsk we were informed that the French -Tonquin Battalion had also received orders to move west some seven days -prior to us, but were not yet ready, nor were they likely to be for two -or three days. We had arrived at "Vlady," and gone thence to the Ussurie -front before the French; so now again we led the way towards the sinking -sun. - -This French unit was under the command of Major Malley, who from his -appearance ought never to have dropped the "O" before his surname. He -and his officers were some of the best; but the atmosphere of South -China had robbed them of some of their native energy. He informed me -that his destination was a point on the railway near the borders of -North-West Manchuria, and by consulting my own instructions I guessed -the object of his move. In case of need I should at least have the -border open. In addition to which the move was an indication that so far -as this venture was concerned English and French policy ran parallel. - -The first part of the journey was through hundreds of miles of uncarted -corn. As far as the eye could see, to right or left, one vast sea of -derelict corn, left uncared for on the land to rot in the Siberian -winter. The entire absence of labour, and the complete breakdown of -internal administration and communication had produced stark want in the -presence of plenty. It made one feel quite sad to look day after day -upon this waste of human food and remember the food rations and -regulations at home. All along the line there was a continuous stream of -refugees of all nations and races--poor, hunted creatures who had -horrible stories to tell of the ravages of the Bulgar and the atrocities -of the Bolsheviki. At one place the Serbian women and children got the -breakfast of my men, the Tommies refusing to eat until the kiddies had -been satisfied. And the pathetic homage they paid to our flag when they -discovered it was the flag of England! I shall never forget some of the -scenes which showed us also the wonderful trust the struggling -nationalities of the world have in the power, humanity and honour of our -country. It is a priceless possession for the world which Englishmen -must for ever jealously guard. - -Through apparently never-ending uplands we entered the great range which -forms the natural boundary between China and Siberia. On and on, through -mountain gorge and fertile valley, we broke at length out on to the wide -open plains of Manchuria. Perhaps it could be best described as a -combination of all the most wonderful scenery in the world. It is -somewhat difficult to keep three huge trains of over forty trucks each -together on a single line. This, however, had to be done, first for -purposes of safety, and secondly for defence in the then lawless state -of the country. The next difficulty was transport. Horses had to be -watered, and if they were to be ready for use the train must stop and -the animals be exercised every fourth day. Hence much scheming and -management had to be exercised for the journey to be successfully -carried through. - -I saw much about the "hidden hand" in the newspapers we received from -home, but our experiences of the same character were sometimes amusing -and sometimes serious. The railway was under a sort of joint control, -Russian, American and Japanese, and it soon became clear that one or the -other of these groups was unfriendly to our western advance. It may have -been all, but of that I have no proof. The first incident was a stop of -four hours. After the first two hours a train passed us that had been -following behind; after another two hours, when slightly more vigorous -inquiries were being made as to the cause of delay, we were quite -naively informed that the station-master did not think we ought to risk -going farther. We soon informed him to the contrary, and again started -forward. The next stop of this character was at a fairly big station -about twenty hours from Harbin. This station-master held us up for seven -hours. This I thought the limit. At last he showed my interpreter a -telegram asking him to prevent us going any farther. It was not signed, -and when I demanded that we should be allowed to proceed, he said that -there were no engines. I had seen two standing idle outside. I rushed -on to the platform just in time to prevent the engines disappearing. -While the station-master had been parleying with me he had ordered the -engines to put on steam. I gave orders for my guard to form up across -the line at each end of the station and either bayonet or shoot anyone -who tried to take the engines away. I then forced the operator to tell -me if the line ahead was clear, and threatened to take the -station-master under military arrest for trial at Harbin unless he -announced my intention to start in that direction and cleared the way -ahead. I put a soldier with fixed bayonet on the footplate to see that -the driver held to his post and did not play tricks with the train, and -started on our journey. We made every inquiry possible, but no one could -give us the slightest reason for our stoppage, but seemed to think that -there was something wrong with the works which had allowed us to get so -far. From then on I took no risks. - -There are no special features about Harbin. It is just a conglomeration -of houses of a more or less Chinese character thrown together in three -heaps, the first two attempts of the thrower not getting quite near -enough to the target, which was the junction of the Chinese Eastern -Railway. Elaborate preparations had been made by an Allied Committee for -our reception, and when we drew into the station about 4 P.M. it was -crowded with about as cosmopolitan a crowd of Far Eastern races as we -had so far met with--the Mayor, the Chinese Governor and all the -notabilities, foremost amongst them being the British Consul, Mr. Sly; -but most important of all was General Plisshkoff, the commander of the -local forces known as "Hovart's Army." Speeches were delivered, and a -reply given which elicited from a Cossack band the most astounding -rendering of the British National Anthem that was ever heard around the -seven seas. The gem of the proceedings was a presentation of two lovely -bouquets by the English ladies of Harbin. I never felt so much the -necessity for adopting the Eastern custom of kissing all the ladies you -are introduced to as at this one supreme moment of the journey; it was a -real test of the power of restraint. But the ladies' husbands were -there, and everything passed off quietly, even though some wretched -fellows took snapshots of the presentation for home production. I -inspected the several guards of honour, and General Plisshkoff returned -the compliment, while the famous "25th" band discoursed what was -declared to be the sweetest music that had been heard in Harbin since -its history began. Tea was served in a specially decorated marquee on -the platform and all the men were given presents of one sort or another, -and the town gave itself over to tumultuous enjoyment, happy in the -thought that at last one of the Allies had appeared on the scene, a -faint indication that a desperate effort was about to be made by the -oldest and most trusted nation in Europe to conjure order out of chaos. -The officers were entertained by the British Consul, and preparations -were made for a ceremonial march through the town next day. This turned -out a great success and greatly impressed the inhabitants. - -The day following we were entertained by the Chinese Governor, a very -courtly old gentleman, and the local Chinese general at the headquarters -of the Chinese administration. The band was in attendance, and during -the meal dealt with some of the British military choruses which have -spread themselves round the world. Of course we all joined in, as only -Englishmen can, and this became so infectious that even the staid -mandarins unbent and added their quota to the noise. It is surprising to -note the resemblance between the solemn Chinese and the self-centred -Englishmen. The solemnity of the one reacts upon the other, and both -become what neither is in reality nor can be separately. After our hard -work and harder fare on the Ussurie this gorgeous banquet was equal to a -month's leave, and we let go with a vengeance. What the Chinamen thought -about it next morning I do not know; for myself, I only remembered the -kindness of this act of friendship and the _camaraderie_ of the whole -affair. How strange that we should feel more at home with these pukka -Chinamen than with others we have met who are supposed to have much -closer affinity. - -Immediately after leaving Harbin we crossed the finest bridge of the -whole journey to Omsk. It carries the railway over the River Sungary, -which meanders about over the enormous yet fairly well cultivated plains -of Northern Manchuria. It is not my intention to describe either the -peoples or the countries through which we passed, but no study of the -blending and dovetailing of totally different races into the different -types that we particularise under the names of Chinese, Mongol, Tartar -and Russian, would be complete without a journey along the Siberian and -Eastern Chinese Railway. The same remark applies to their dress, -habitations and customs. It is an education in itself, especially if, -like us, one had to stop occasionally to drive bargains, negotiate help, -and have the closest and most intimate intercourse with the common -people. None of them had even seen the British flag, few of them had the -slightest idea where the "Anglisky" lived, and one old Kirghis explained -to his wondering tribemen that we were a strange tribe that had broken -away from "Americanski" and gone to live on a great island in the middle -of the lakes, where no one could touch us unless they risked their lives -on great wooden rafts. I thought the amount of inverted truth in this -charming description very pleasing if not very flattering to our -national vanity. - -After climbing the great Hinghan Range the plains of Mongolia came as a -wonder to me. Imagine if you can a perfectly flat land through which -your train glides hour after hour, day after day. The whole is covered -with rough grass and a growth somewhat like a huge horse daisy or -marguerite. At the time we passed these plants had dried, and a terrific -wind sweeping over the plains had broken countless numbers of the dry -herb off near the ground. They fell on their round sides. Directly the -plants had lost their anchorage away they bounded like catherine wheels -over the plains. It does not require much imagination to picture -hundreds of thousands of these rounded tufts of dried grass bounding -along over immense distances. It is quite a fascinating pastime to -select a few of the larger and better formed ones coming over the -horizon and calculate how long they take to arrive opposite your -position. Calculations made in this way convinced me that a small -coloured message properly fastened to these moving objects might have -been carried five hundred miles in twenty-four hours. If, instead of -looking at one, you look at the whole, the impression is of the solid -earth passing rapidly from west to east. There are occasional -obstructions in the shape of a huge flock of sheep which would cover -half of Rutlandshire. These are herded by quaintly dressed Mongolian -Tartars, on wonderful shaggy-haired horses, who ride at a furious pace -around their flocks and guard them from attack by the wolves which -infest this part of the world. It is worth recording how they do so. The -wolf is a very cunning animal who has numerous methods of attack, and, -like a hare, is very difficult to locate if in his form and practically -level with the ground. But his very cunning is often his undoing. On no -account will the wolf allow a string on which there are little coloured -rags fluttering to pass over him, nor will he willingly get near it. The -Tartar herdsmen go forward in line over the plain in the direction their -flocks are feeding with a small strong string with little coloured flags -fluttering along it, fastened from horse to horse. This effectively -sweeps the whole space as the trawler sweeps the sea. No wolf can hope -to escape the trained eye of the Tartar near the horse where the strain -of the line lifts it high off the ground, and no wolf will allow the -line to pass near him, hence the herdsman gets both sport and profit -out of his occupation. Having fed off the grass and herbs in one place, -the whole Tartar tribe moves forward at regular periods on what appears -to be an endless crawl across the world, but what is really an appointed -round, settled and definite, within the territorial lands of the race to -which it belongs. Their women and children journey with them and hunt -and ride with the men, free as the plains over which they travel. In -spite of this community of interests the men seem to place but very -little value upon their women except as a sort of communist coolie -attachment for carrying the camp from one place to another, for -preparing the rude meals, and for the care of the boys, of whom the -tribe is very proud. - -Over this featureless wilderness we progressed day after day, each -stopping-place marked by a few aspen trees mixed up with a few others -that look very much like mountain ash but are not. The winter houses of -the people are single-roomed, square, wooden structures, very strangely -built, with flat roofs consisting of about two feet of earth. Against -and over these structures in winter the frozen snow piles itself until -they have the appearance of mere mounds, impossible to locate except for -the smoke which escapes from a few long crevices left open under the -eaves of what is intended to be the front of the house. These -smoke-escapes perform the double duty of chimneys and also keep clear -the way by which the inhabitants go in and out. Their herds are either -disposed of before the winter begins or are housed in grass-covered -dug-outs, which in winter, when the snow is piled over them, take the -form of immense underground caverns, and are quite warm and habitable by -both man and beast. The one I entered had over two hundred beautiful -little foals housed in it, and others similar in character had cows and -sheep and poultry all as snug as you please. The entrance was lighted -with a quaint old shepherd's lantern, not unlike those I had seen used -by shepherds in Hampshire when I was a boy. The entrance was guarded all -night by a number of dogs, and curled up in a special nook was the -herdsman, with a gun of a kind long since discarded in Europe. Such are -the conditions under which these people live half the year, but they -make up for this underground life when in April they start their cattle -on the move by first allowing them to eat their shelters. - -Near the edge of this plain we began to encounter a few sand dunes with -outcrops, very similar to those on the coast line of our own country. -Over these we gently ran day after day until we could see vast fields of -sand and scrub that it must have taken thousands of years of gale and -hurricane to deposit in the quaint pyramidal fashion in which they stand -to-day. Even yet they are not fixed; occasionally a tree falls exposing -the naked sand to the action of the wind, which swirls around the hole -and moves the sand into a spiral whirlpool, lifting and carrying it away -to be deposited again on the lea side of a distant valley, choking the -pines and silver birch and sometimes destroying large woods and forests. -It is surprising that though we travelled for hundreds of miles along -the edge of this huge sand plateau we did not see a single rivulet or -stream coming from its direction, though there were the traces of a -river far out on the plain. Sunset on these sand-hills was quite -entrancing. The occasional break in these conical formations, when the -sun was low down, gave one the impression of a vast collection of human -habitations, with gable ends to the highest of the buildings. The fact -is, however, that, so far as we saw or could make out, no human -habitation exists over the whole face of this sea of sand, though men -live quite calmly around the craters of volcanoes and other equally -dangerous and impossible places. The fear created by legends of human -disaster attaching to the local history of these sands is of such a -character that even the daring of the Tartar is for once mastered. The -sands themselves when on the move are dangerous enough, but their -cup-like formation would hide armies until the traveller was in their -midst, when retreat would be impossible. The same applies with greater -force to the banditti or beasts of the desert; hence the gloomy history -and legends of the Mongolian sands. - -We arrived at Hazelar on a Saturday evening, and collected our echelons -during the night. On Sunday morning I made application to the priest for -permission to hold our parade service in the grounds of the Greek -church. This was granted, and the parade was a huge success. The -spectacle of the padre (Captain Roberts) in his surplice conducting the -English service under the shadow of the church our help had rescued -from the violence of the Terrorists was very impressive. The service was -watched with intense interest by hundreds of Russian men and women and -by crowds of Chinese, Korean and Tartar plainsmen. Some of the Russian -ladies joined in the responses, and many women's voices joined in the -old English hymns. These were the first religious services that had been -held for a year, and seemed to give assurance to the people that their -troubles were nearly over, that peace had come again. The huge padlock -and chain upon the church door had been removed, and general -thankfulness seemed to be the predominant feeling. The scene was -doubtless very strange to those unaccustomed to united worship by both -priest and people. In these small matters I was extremely punctilious, -as I saw what an impressionable people I had to deal with. I further -calculated that once we had joined in public service together the edge -of hostility would lose its sharpness. I did not leave it at this, but -entered the markets without a guard and held conferences with both -peasant and workman, stating our reasons for coming and the friendly -service we wished to perform. It was clear from the beginning that my -safety depended upon our securing the confidence of the majority of the -people. A mere military parade would have failed, but with a thorough -understanding of our object in entering so far into their country we -gained their confidence and enlisted their help. On the other hand, -there is a small proportion of disgruntled and abnormal people in all -communities who cannot be controlled by reason, and for whom force is -the only argument, and for these we also made ample provision. - -There was not much interest in the remainder of the Manchurian and -Mongolian part of the journey until we arrived at Manchulli. This was -occupied by the Japanese Division under the command of General Fugi. -Here it was necessary to get a supply of fresh bread and exercise the -transport. I paid my respects to the Chinese general, who had just lost -part of his barracks, forcibly taken from him for the occupation of -Japanese troops. I also paid an official visit to General Fugi and Staff -and the Russian commandant of the station. - - - - -CHAPTER VII - -FURTHER INCIDENTS OF OUR JOURNEY - - -It was at Manchulli that an incident happened which was much talked -about at the time and was given many strange versions. It is quite -easily explained when all the facts are known. It was impossible to -secure proper travelling accommodation for my officers, either at -Spascoe or Nikolsk, but I was informed that such would be provided at -Harbin. In company with the British Consul (Mr. Sly) I called upon the -manager of the railway at Harbin to secure such accommodation. He was -very polite and promised to do all he could to help, but next morning -informed me that no carriage was available, but if I could find one -empty I could take it. I failed, and reported the fact to him. He could -do nothing, but said there were plenty at Manchulli held up by Colonel -Semianoff and the Japanese, who laid hold of every carriage that tried -to get through this station, and that Colonel Semianoff collected a -great revenue by refusing to part with these carriages unless the user -was prepared to pay very high prices for the same. If I was prepared to -take the risk, and would use force if necessary to secure carriages, I -should be able to get them there, and so far as the railway authorities -at Harbin were concerned, I could take any two empty carriages I might -find. - -The weather was beginning to get very cold, and each mile added to our -discomfort, and the only accommodation for officers on two of the three -trains were cattle trucks. After my official visit I made request for -two carriages. The station commandant pretended to consult the Russian -and Japanese officials, and then informed me that there was not one -available. I told him it was untrue. He agreed that if I could point out -any carriages unoccupied I could have them. He went with his register to -the carriages I indicated, and he admitted they were idle and empty and -I would be allowed to take them. I put a guard on the carriages and -thought the incident settled, but nothing is settled for long in the Far -East. I made request for these carriages to be shunted on to my trains, -and after a two hours' wait went to the station about the shunting and -was calmly informed that they knew nothing about the carriages. The -commandant, with whom I arranged the matter, had gone home (an old -dodge!), and would not be on duty till to-morrow, and that nothing else -could be done. - -It was reported to me that the reason the carriages could not be secured -was that the railway officials of a certain Power had given instructions -that no "class" carriages were to be provided for British officers, as -it was necessary that the population along the route should understand -that we were not considered representatives of a first-class Power. -Englishmen who have not travelled much in the Far East will scarcely -understand the working of the Oriental mind in these matters. An officer -of any Power who travels in a cattle truck will not only lose the -respect of the Oriental for his own person, but will lower the standard -of the country he represents, irrespective of its position in the comity -of nations. The representative of the Isle of Man, if he travelled in -the best style, would stand before the representative of His Majesty the -King if his means of transit were that of a coolie. It is doubtless very -stupid, but it is true. Your means of locomotion fixes your place in the -estimation of the East, because it is visible to them, while your -credentials are not. - -I there and then made up my mind to act, and if necessary go "the whole -hog." I informed the authorities that nothing should be shunted in that -station until those two carriages were joined to my trains, and -proceeded to occupy the whole station. Up to this point I had neither -seen nor heard anything of the Japanese in relation to this matter, but -they now came on the scene, and I soon discovered that it was they who -had engineered the whole opposition to the British officers getting -suitable accommodation, and had spirited away the old commandant who had -registered the carriages to me. At first they did not know the correct -line to adopt, but made a request that the guard should be taken off the -station. My answer was, "Yes, instantly, if it is understood that these -carriages are to be shunted to my trains." They agreed to this, and my -guards were taken off, having held the station for twenty-three minutes. -I had my evening meal, and was expecting to start when I was informed -that the Japanese had now placed guards upon my carriages and refused -to allow them to be shunted on to my train. I thought this was just -about the limit, and before taking action decided I had better discover -the reason, if any, for what seemed a definite breach of faith. I -visited the Japanese station officer, and he said that they had just -discovered that these two carriages were set aside to convey General -Fugi to Harbin a few days hence. I refused to believe that such a -discovery could have only just been made, and I would take the carriages -by force if necessary. - -It looked very awkward, and a Japanese Staff officer was sent for. I -sent my liaison officer (Colonel Frank) to find the absent station -commandant who had allocated the cars to me. The Japanese Staff officer -was expressing his sorrow for my not being able to get any carriages for -my officers and pointing out how impossible it would be for the train of -General Fugi to be broken up by the loss of the two carriages I had -claimed, when in stalked the old Russian commandant and blew these -apologies sky high by declaring that these carriages had nothing to do -with General Fugi's train; that they were unemployed, and they were -mine. I decided to strengthen the guard to eighteen men on each -carriage, and offered protection to the railwaymen who shunted them to -my train. The Japanese soldiers followed the carriages on to my train, -so that we had the strange sight of a row of Tommies with fixed bayonets -on the cars, and a row of Japanese soldiers on the ground guarding the -same carriages. No officer came to give them open instructions, but the -Jap soldiers disappeared one at a time until the Tommies were left in -undisputed possession. - -We returned to my car to find it guarded by Chinese soldiers. I asked -the reason, and was informed that at an earlier stage of this incident a -Chinese officer had been to my car with a note to inform me that the -great friendship which the Chinese always bore to the great English -nation made it impossible for them to stand by and allow their friends -to be attacked while passing through Chinese territory. I thanked them -for their friendship, and suggested that Englishmen were always capable -of protecting themselves in any part of the world, wherever their duty -took them; but they would listen to nothing, and remained on guard until -my train moved out of the station. - -I do not suppose there was at any time real danger of a collision -between the different forces at Manchulli, but it had the appearance of -a very ugly episode that might have developed into one of international -importance. I took my stand for the sole purpose of maintaining the -dignity of the British Army. Other incidents connected with this small -dispute about officer accommodation, yet having nothing to do with it, -made me determined to carry my point. - -During these proceedings I noticed my liaison officer in angry dispute -with two Japanese officers against a truck carrying the Union Jack as an -indication of the nationality of the train. They were pointing to the -flag in such a manner that I saw at once the dispute was about this -offending emblem. When the Japanese officers had moved away I called -Colonel Frank to me and inquired the cause of dispute. He said: "I can -understand the contempt of the Japanese for our Russia; she is down and -is sick, but why they should wish to insult their Ally, England, I -cannot understand. The Japanese officers who have just left me inquired -where the English commander got his authority to carry an English flag -on his train. I answered it was an English train carrying an English -battalion to Omsk, and no authority was necessary. The Japanese officers -replied that they considered the flying of any other flag than theirs in -Manchuria or Siberia an insult to Japan. I told them they were fools, -that if the English commander had heard their conversation (they both -spoke in Russian) he would demand an apology. At which they grinned and -departed." We tried every means to find the two officers, but were -unable to do so. This was the atmosphere in which we discussed the -smaller subject, and may explain the obstinacy of both sides; at any -rate, it had something to do with my determination. - -We arrived at Chita without further incident of importance. Bread and -horse exercise delayed us one whole day, and inability to secure engines -part of another, until in desperation I went with a squad of men to the -sheds and forced an engine-driver to take out his engine, I myself -riding on the tender, where I nearly lost my sight with hot debris from -the funnel, while Major Browne, who stood sentinel beside the driver, -had holes scorched in his uniform. This act of violence secured not only -an engine for my train, but for the others also. - -I had broken my glasses, and it was necessary to secure others. I walked -to the town and called at the shop of a jeweller and optician, with whom -we conversed. Other customers joined in the talk, and we were here -informed of the murder of the present owner's mother during the -Bolshevik occupation of the town. The Soviet Commisar, with Red -soldiers, visited the shop one day to loot the stock. The mother, an old -lady over sixty years of age who was then looking after the business, -protested against the robbery of her property. The commisar ordered one -of the Red Guard to bayonet her, which he did. They then proceeded to -remove everything of value, locked up the premises with the dead woman -still lying on the shop floor, and for several days refused permission -to her neighbours to give her decent burial on the plea that she was a -counter-revolutionist. It was evident from the appearance of the place -that the Red soldiers were pretty expert at this sort of business; but -stories like this are so numerous that it is nauseating to repeat them. - -The next point of interest was Lake Baikal, or as it is more correctly -described by the Russians, the "Baikal Sea." We approached this famous -lake on a very cold Sunday evening, and long before we reached its -shores the clear cold depths of the water gave evidence of its presence -in the changed atmosphere. A furious gale was blowing across the lake -from the west, which lashed huge waves into fury and foam as they beat -in endless confusion on the rockbound shore. Blinding snow mixed with -the spray gave the inky blackness of the night a weird and sombre -appearance. Our Cossack attendant, Marca, droned a folk-song about the -wonders of the Baikal, which, when interpreted by my liaison officer, -fitted the scene to a fraction. We put up the double windows, listed the -doors and turned in for the night. I was fearful that we should leave -the lake before morning and so fail to get a daylight view of this most -interesting part of our journey. We all awoke early to find the scene so -changed as to appear almost miraculous. - -The strange light of these northern zones was gently stealing over an -immense sea of clear, perfectly calm, glassy water, which enabled us to -locate the whiter coloured rocks at enormous depths. A fleecy line of -cloud hung lazily over the snow-capped mountains. The Great Bear nearly -stood on his head, and the Pole Star seemed to be almost over us. The -other stars shone with icy cold brilliance and refused to vanish, though -the sun had begun to rise. And such a rising! We could not see that -welcome giver of warmth and life, but the beautiful orange and purple -halo embraced half the world. From its centre shot upwards huge, long -yellow streamers which penetrated the darkness surrounding the stars and -passed beyond into never-ending space. Gradually these streamers took a -more slanting angle until they touched the highest peaks and drove the -cloud lower and lower down the side of the mountains. I have been on -the Rigi under similar conditions, but there is nothing in the world -like an autumn sunrise on Lake Baikal. I stopped the train ostensibly to -allow water to be obtained for breakfast, but really to allow the men to -enjoy what was in my opinion the greatest sight in the world. Some of -the men were as entranced as myself, while others (including officers) -saw nothing but plenty of clean fresh water for the morning ablutions. -We all have our several tastes even in His Majesty's Army. - -Rumour says there are exactly the same fish to be found in Lake Baikal -as in the sea, with other varieties which represent ordinary fresh-water -types. I do not believe there is any authority for these statements. Sea -gulls of every known category are certainly to be found there, and wild -duck in variety and numbers to satisfy the most exacting sportsman. - -Passing along this wonderful panorama for some hours we arrived at -Baikal. The maps supplied to me show the railway as making a bee line -from the south of the lake to Irkutsk. This is not so; the line does not -deviate an inch from the western shores of the lake until it touches the -station. Baikal is reached nearly opposite the point at which the -railway strikes the lake on the eastern side. The lake is fed by the -River Selengha, which drains the northern mountains and plains of -Mongolia. No river of importance enters it on the north except the -short, high Anghara; in fact, the rivers Armur and Lenha start from -quite near its northern and eastern extremities. It is drained on the -west by the famous River Anghara, which rises near Baikal, and enters -the Polar Sea at a spot so far north as to be uninhabitable, except for -the white bears who fight for the possession of icebergs. - -Baikal had been the scene of a titanic struggle between the -Czecho-Slovak forces and the Bolsheviks, who had in case of defeat -planned the complete and effective destruction of the line by blowing up -the numerous tunnels alongside the lake, which it must have taken at -least two years to repair. The Czechs moved so rapidly, however, that -the enemy were obliged to concentrate at Baikal for the defence of their -own line of communication. Before they had made up their minds that they -were already defeated a lucky Czech shot struck their store of dynamite -and blew the station, their trains, and about three hundred of their men -to smithereens. The remainder retreated off the line in a southerly -direction, and after many days' pursuit were lost in the forests which -form the chief barrier between Siberia and Mongolia, to emerge later on -an important point on the railway near Omsk. - -We stopped at Baikal for water and fuel, and examined the damage done by -the explosion. The great iron steamer which used to be employed to -convey the train from one side of the lake to the other was almost -destroyed, its funnels and upper works being wrenched and twisted beyond -repair. But out from every crevice of her hull and from every broken -carriage came German and Austrian prisoners of war dressed in every -conceivable style of uniform. There was no guard of any description, but -they all appeared to be under the direction of a young German officer, -who saluted very stiffly as we passed. No doubt existed amongst these -Germans (so I heard from our men later) that we were tramping towards -Germany and certain death. Not one would believe but that Germany would -win the war, and destroy not only England, but also America. They had no -feelings about France, nor would they consider her as other than an -already half-digested morsel. Quartermaster-Captain Boulton put it to -one prisoner: "But suppose Germany were defeated?" "Then," said the -prisoner, "I would never return to Germany again." We fell in with -thousands of German prisoners who all held a most perplexing view of -ourselves. They described us as the only real and bitter enemy of their -country. But the same men would volunteer to work for us rather than for -any other Ally, because they said we treated them fairly and behaved to -them like men, and listened to their grievances. That is something at -any rate. - - - - -CHAPTER VIII - -BEYOND THE BAIKAL - - -From Baikal to Irkutsk is a short run down the left bank of the Anghara. -We arrived at Irkutsk about the same time as a small detachment of -Japanese troops, who were acting as a guard to their traders and their -stores, who usually travel with the army. The Japs have very pretty -bugle calls for different military purposes, mostly in the same key, -with a sort of Morse code for the different orders, but a Japanese bugle -band is the most terrible thing in the world of sound. It makes one -either swear or laugh, according to one's taste. They gave us an -exhibition in moving off from the station, which everyone who heard will -never forget. I was rather surprised to find that the Jap traders had -established themselves at Irkutsk, as their headquarters were at Chita, -which was also the centre of their agent, Semianoff. Why they came to -Irkutsk at all is a problem. It was generally understood that some of -the Allies were prepared to concede them only the fairest part of -Siberia up to Lake Baikal. Perhaps they had heard whispers of the -mineral wealth of the Urals. - -Irkutsk, situated on the right bank of the Anghara, is a rather fine old -town for Siberia. Its Greek cathedral has a commanding position, and -contests successfully with the Cadet School for supremacy as the -outstanding architectural feature first to catch the eye. The town is -approached by a quaint, low wooden bridge which spans the swiftly -running river. When we saw it the battered remnants of human society -were grimly collecting themselves together after some months of -Bolshevik anarchy and murder. Whole streets were merely blackened ruins, -and trade, which had been at a complete standstill, was just beginning -to show a return to life. Putting out its feelers, it had taken upon -itself a precarious life not yet free from danger. The 25th Battalion -Middlesex Regiment was the only British unit in the country; it had -spread itself out in a remarkable manner, and shown the flag on a front -of 5,000 miles. In spite of its category it had brought confidence and -hope to a helpless people out of all proportion to its strength or -ability. - -A public banquet (the first since the Revolution) was held ostensibly to -welcome Volagodsky, the Social Revolutionary President of the Siberian -Council, but really to welcome the first British regiment that had ever -entered and fought in Siberia. It was a great occasion, and the first -real evidence I had seen of possible national regeneration. Even here it -was decidedly Separatist, and therefore Japanese in character; a -glorification of Siberia and Siberian efforts, completely ignoring the -efforts of other Russians in the different parts of their Empire. -Evanoff Renoff, the Cossack Ataman, led the panegyric of Siberia, and -the President and the Secretary for Foreign Affairs, a long, watery-eyed -young man, joined in the chorus. They were doubtless all well pleased -with themselves, and thoroughly enjoying a partial return to the old -conditions. Colonel Frank translated in a whisper all that was said, so -that I got a good hang to the mental atmosphere of this unique -gathering. The toast of their Ally, Great Britain, was the occasion -which brought me to my feet. The band played "Rule Britannia" as a -substitute for "God Save the King," for the simple reason that though -mostly Social Revolutionaries they dared not play a Royalist hymn until -they had tested the feelings of their audience. This gave me my cue. I -laughed at their fears, and informed them that whatever happened, our -anthem, which for the time represented the unity of our race, would be -played by my band at the ceremonial to-morrow, and all the Bolsheviks in -Russia would not be powerful enough to prevent it. From this I led to -the flag, another great emblem of racial unity. I called attention to -the entire absence of a Russian flag from Vladivostok to Irkutsk, and -asked, "Is this the country of the once great and mighty Russia that a -stranger travels over without knowing what country it is?" I suggested -that though we had twenty revolutions I could never imagine Englishmen -being ashamed of the English flag or afraid to call themselves -Englishmen. The translation of my remarks ended in a wonderful ovation, -and I thought the band would never play anything else but the National -Anthem, which it repeated again and again. - -My list of telegrams and messages of every kind and character from every -part of Russia and the outside world, together with constant repetition -of the speech in the Press, indicates plainly that from this day began -the resurrection of the Russian soul. Another sign of renewed vigour and -life was the fact that from that day the Russian flag (minus the Crown) -flew from the flagpost over every big station we passed, and on all -public buildings. The Russians are extremely emotional, and I had -managed to strike the right chord the first time. - -The day following we marched to the square space surrounding the -cathedral, and I inspected the newly-formed units of the army. Splendid -men with good physique, but slow and stilted in movement. The remnant of -the cadets who had escaped the general massacre was there, a wonderfully -smart set of beautiful boys, who at a distance, looking at their faces -only, I took for girls, much to the disgust of the colonel in charge. It -was altogether a fine and impressive sight, with big crowds and the fine -cathedral as a background. With the "Present" and "The King" at the end, -every man present uncovered, and an old Russian lady knelt and kissed my -adjutant's hand and blessed us as "saviours," while the commandant asked -for cheers for "the only country which came to our help without -conditions." I wonder how that will pan out? - -We were entertained at the British Consul's, followed by a concert at -night. It was terribly cold, and no droshkies were to be had. We had to -walk to the theatre in a blinding snowstorm. At 2 A.M. we started on our -last lap. - -The sentiments of the people changed completely every few hundred -miles. After leaving Irkutsk we soon discovered that we were in enemy -territory, and the few weeks, and in some cases days, that had elapsed -since the retirement of the Bolshevik Commissars had left the country -the prey of the desperado. Let there be no mistake, Bolshevism lived by -the grace of the old regime. The peasant had his land, but the Russian -workman had nothing. Not one in a thousand could tell one letter of the -alphabet from another. He was entirely neglected by the State; there was -not a single effective State law dealing with the labour conditions or -the life of the worker in the whole Russian code. His condition was, and -will remain, in spite of the Revolution, utterly neglected and hopeless. -He has not the power to think or act for himself, and is consequently -the prey of every faddist scamp who can string a dozen words together -intelligently. There are no trade unions, because there is no one -amongst them sufficiently intelligent either to organise or manage them. -All the alleged representatives of Labour who have from time to time -visited England pretending to represent the Russian workmen are so many -deputational frauds. There cannot be such a delegate from the very -nature of things, as will be seen if the facts are studied on the spot. -The lower middle classes, especially the professional teacher class, -have invented the figment of organised Russian labour for their own -purpose. - -The condition of the Russian workman is such that he can only formulate -his grievances by employing others to do it for him. Hence there has -come into existence numerous professional councils, who for a -consideration visit the workers in their homes and wherever they -congregate, and compile their complaints and grievances. But these -professionals always point out that the rectification of small points -like rates of wages and working hours are a waste of time and energy; -that the real work is to leave the conditions so bad that, in sheer -despair, the worker will rise and destroy capitalism in a night, and -have a perfect millennium made ready for the next morning. - -The poor, ignorant, uneducated, neglected Russian workman is perfect and -well-prepared soil for such propaganda. He found himself bound hand and -foot in the meshes of this professional element, who did not belong to -his class and, except in theory, knew nothing of his difficulties. When -this professional element had misled, bamboozled and deserted him, in a -frenzy of despair he determined to destroy this thing called education, -and made the ability to read and write one of the proofs of enmity to -his class on the same principle that our uneducated workmen of the first -half of the nineteenth century destroyed machinery and other progressive -innovations, whose purpose they did not understand. There would be less -chatter about revolution if our people could only understand what it -means to go through the horrors that have destroyed Russia and her -people more effectively than the most ruthless invasion. - -We stopped at a station near a mining village largely peopled with -emigrant Chinese workmen. We removed the Bolshevik flag from the -flag-post, and insisted upon the Russian flag being run up in its stead. -A Russian woman told us to go back, and when we asked her why, she said, -"Well, it does not matter; our men will soon find enough earth to bury -you." But another Russian woman thanked us for coming, and hoped we were -not too late to save a country that was sick unto death. - -That night we ran into Zema station, where we came to a sudden stop. I -sent my liaison officer to find the cause, and he informed me that a -body of men were beside the engine and threatening to shoot the driver -if he moved another foot. I ordered the "Alarm" to be sounded, and -instantly 400 British soldiers tumbled out of the trucks. Taking their -prearranged positions, they fixed bayonets and awaited orders. My -carriage was the last vehicle of the train. I walked forward to find the -cause of our enforced stoppage, and was just in time to see in the -darkness a squad of armed men leaving the station. I took possession of -the station and telegraphs, and then heard from the officials that -Bolshevik agents had come to the town and had persuaded the workmen to -leave work, to take arms and cut the line to prevent the Allies moving -forward, and await the arrival of the Bolshevik force which had retired -from Baikal. This force had worked its way along the Mongolian frontier, -and was now feeling its way towards the line to destroy the bridge which -carries the railway over the River Ocka at a point about three versts -from Zema. I placed guards around and in the railway works, engine -sheds, and approaches, and discovering telegrams still passing between -the Bolsheviks and the inhabitants, I occupied by force the post and -telegraph office in the town. Orders were issued that all men must -pledge themselves not to interfere with the trains, and return to work -by 6 A.M., or they would be dealt with under martial law. Two hours -elapsed, during which time my other trains arrived, with machine-gun -section complete, and the whole force were disposed to receive attack. - -The troops surrounded the house of the leader of the movement, but the -bird had flown. I found some Bolshevik literature advocating the -wholesale destruction of the _bourgeoisie_ and _intelligenzia_ (I forget -which they put first), also 3,600 roubles, which I gave back to the -wife, saying, "That is a gift from me to you." This act disgusted the -local chief of the gendarmerie, who assured me that it was German money -and ought to be confiscated. I had no doubt it was, but then I was -English, and a Hampshire man at that. Then the usual teacher arrived and -asked if he would be allowed to speak to the "Anglisky Polkovnika." -Receiving an affirmative, he entered and began the conversation. He -naively confessed that if he had known it was an "Anglisky" train he -would have allowed it to pass. They had read my order as to their pledge -to return to work, and wanted to know what I proposed to do if they did -not do so. I answered that after having taken up arms against us they -could expect no mercy, and that if they did not obey my orders every -leader I could find I would shoot. The teacher inquired if I would -allow the men to be called together for consultation by their -prearranged signal at the works. I agreed, if they came without arms. -Soon after, the most awful sound came from a huge buzzer. It was now -midnight, and the air was rent by a wailing sound that grew in volume, -to die away into a world sob. Every Britisher there was affected in some -peculiar fashion; to myself it was like nothing so much as a mighty -groan from a nation in distress. Colonel Frank, my Russian guide, -philosopher and friend, ran from the table when the sound began, and -paced the car in evident anguish, and as it died away exclaimed, "Poor -Russia!" and I had felt the same thought running through my mind. All my -men expressed themselves in similar sentiments and as never wanting to -hear it again. - -My business was to get out of the place as quickly as possible, but to -leave the line safe. The small militia force was quite inadequate to -deal with a population fully armed. Hence I ordered the surrender of all -arms by the inhabitants, and allowed twelve hours in which this was to -be done. - -Six A.M. arrived, and my officers reported all men at work except eight, -and these reported later and asked forgiveness, which was readily -granted. I then informed the management that I intended to call a -meeting of the men and hear their grievances. The management tried to -dissuade me from my purpose, but I at once ordered their attendance in -the headquarters of the works at 10 A.M., when I would hear the men's -complaints. Promptly to time the work finished, and the men crowded to -the spot selected. A British sentry with fixed bayonet and loaded rifle -stood on either side as I sat at the table, while others were placed in -selected positions about the building. I called the managers and heads -of all the departments first, and warned them that I had been forced to -take this trouble into my own hands, that I intended to settle it, and -that if they interfered with the men in any way, either by harsh -measures or victimisation, I would place them under court-martial just -the same as I would any workman who prevented the smooth working of the -railway; in fact, they being presumably more intelligent, would find no -mercy. This information caused quite a commotion amongst all concerned. -I asked the men to state their grievances. The first workman said he had -no economic grievance; his was political. He had been told the Allies -were counter-revolutionists, and as such should be destroyed. Two or -three protested against this, and said they came out on economic -grounds. They said their objection was to piece-work. I tried to get a -statement from them that their wages were low, but they would not -consent to this, admitting that their pay for the same work was five -times what it was in 1917. - -I came to the conclusion that it was more of a military movement on the -part of the Bolshevik leaders than a strike such as we understand it in -England. I gave my decision that the men's leaders were to be tried by -General Field Court-Martial. The men's committee then said that they had -never had the chance to meet anyone in authority before, that they were -anxious not to appear as enemies to the great English people, that if I -would carry out no further repressive action against them, they would -continue to work until the end of the war. They heard that Bolsheviks -were approaching their town, and knew the tortures in store for them if -they were found continuing to help the Allies in their advance to the -Urals. If I would secure protection for them they would sign an -agreement never to strike until the war in Russia had ended. I believed -them, and the agreement was signed, but I insisted upon disarmament. - -That evening the time limit in which the arms were to be handed in -expired. We were informed by the local militia that some arms were -handed in voluntarily, but many more remained. - -The following morning a train with General Knox and his Staff pulled -into the station. I reported the whole occurrence to the general, and -how I had received and sent forward notice of his coming and the object -of his journey. It was here that he informed me of the outrage which the -Japanese officers had perpetrated upon him, in spite of the fact that a -big Union Jack was painted on the side of each carriage of his train. - -The inhabitants of Zema were just congratulating themselves on having -got rid of the "Anglisky" when they suddenly found machine guns in -position ready to spray all their main thoroughfares with lead should -the occasion arise. Sections of the town were searched, house by house, -until the piles of arms necessitated transport to remove them. Real -sporting guns which could be used for no other purpose, and the owner -of which was guaranteed by the local police, were returned. In some -houses dumps of looted fabrics from other towns were taken possession -of, and altogether work for the courts was found for the next two -months. - -The echo of Zema travelled far and wide, and gave the authorities an -object-lesson how to tackle a cancer as deadly as it was devilish. When -Kerensky destroyed the old Russian army sixteen million ignorant and -uneducated soldiers took their rifles and ammunition home. This was the -insoluble problem of every attempt to re-establish order in the Russian -dominions. The Middlesex Regiment made the first plunge at Zema, and -others soon followed along the path indicated. We re-armed the local -militia, and we took the remainder of the confiscated arms to Omsk, -where they were taken over by the Russian authorities for the new -Russian army. I wired to Irkutsk for reinforcements for the local -militia, as I did not think them strong enough to deal with the -possibilities of the situation. The commandant at Irkutsk wired that he -had information which proved there was no truth in the rumoured approach -of Bolshevik forces, which reply I knew from the experience I had gained -in Russian ways merely indicated his determination not to weaken his own -guard. - -At midnight I started on my further journey. About a fortnight later I -received a despairing message from the local militia chief at Zema for -help; he said he was nearly surrounded by the Baikal Bolshevik -contingent, which had suddenly appeared. I took the message to Russian -Headquarters at Omsk, and called attention to my wire to Irkutsk and the -refusal to protect this part of the line. Later I received a report from -the commander of the Russian force sent to deal with the situation. He -said that the Bolshevik leader had come into Zema expecting to receive -material and military help from the people. He found them disarmed and -unfriendly, and determined to take no part in further outrages against -established order. He wreaked vengeance upon some of his false friends, -and was then surprised by Government troops, who dispersed his forces, -killing 180 and capturing 800, together with ten machine guns and 150 -horses. - -As a rule, Bolshevik contingents were easily disposed of in a town. They -usually looted everything and everybody. Officers were elected from day -to day, with the result that such a thing as discipline did not exist. -Still, had that party arrived when I was in Zema we should have had a -pitched battle worth a lifetime, for as it turned out they had many -machine guns, while we had only four; but there would never have been -any doubt about the result, for though we were only a "garrison -battalion," the steadiness of my men under fire had hitherto been -excellent. - -We had been passing through hundreds of miles of wonderful virgin -forests for the last two weeks, with only an occasional opening for -village cultivation and an occasional log town of more or less -importance. The hills and valleys as we approached Krasnoyarsk, covered -with pine trees and frozen rivers, looked like a huge never-ending -Christmas card. At last we arrived at Krasnoyarsk, a large, straggling -town of great importance on the River Yenisei. As we approached we -passed miles of derelict war material--tractors, wagons, guns of every -kind and calibre all cast aside as useless, there being no place where -minor defects could be repaired. Some had no apparent defects, but there -they lay, useful and useless, a monument to the entire absence of -organisation in everything Russian. - -I had suffered a slight indisposition, so Major Browne deputised for me, -and inspected the Russian and Czech guards of honour drawn up to welcome -the troops on their arrival. I found the town in a very disturbed -condition, and as it was necessary to guard the great bridge, I accepted -the suggestion to quarter a company under the command of Captain -Eastman, O.B.E., in the excellent barracks which had been prepared for -my unit. This place had been originally fixed upon as the station for -the whole battalion, but important events were happening in Omsk. Our -High Commissioner, Sir Charles Eliot, and the Chief of the British -Military Mission, General Knox, had already arrived there, and required -a guard, hence I was ordered to proceed with the remainder of my -battalion. We remained in Krasnoyarsk for two days, and marched through -the town and saluted the British Consulate. On the last evening the -usual banquet was held in our honour, and is worth a few words because -of an incident which created great interest at the time. The guests were -made up of many officers and others in uniform, and also civilian -representatives of the Town Council, the district Zemstvo, and other -public organisations. The usual fraternal speeches and toasts were -given, and not more than the usual six speakers attempted to deliver an -address at one time. A number of dark-featured, glowering civilians sat -at a table almost opposite to myself, men who by their attire and sombre -looks appeared to be unsuited to the banquet atmosphere, and out of -place amongst the gorgeous uniforms of Cossack Atamans and Russian -generals. They seemed to take not the slightest interest in the -proceedings except for a few moments when certain of my words were being -translated. All seemed bent on the business of the evening and a good -dinner, indicating a return to normal conditions. A Social Revolutionary -representative of the town delivered a furious tirade, which I could get -my officer to translate only in part, but even that part showed me the -world-wide division of opinion amongst my Russian hosts. - -The orchestra, composed of German and Austrian prisoners, discoursed -sweet music during the evening, alternately listening to the fiery -eloquence of Cossack and Tartar. A Cossack officer, who had drunk a -little vodka, rose and gave an order to the band, but the prisoners only -got out about three notes. What was in those notes, Heaven only knows! -Instantly the whole banqueting hall was a scene of indescribable -confusion. Tartar and Cossack shouted with glee; older Russian officers -ordered the band to stop, and vainly tried to silence the disorder. The -dark-visaged and apparently unemotional civilians threw off their -armour of unconcern, and hurled epithets and shook clenched fists and -defiance at their military fellow-countrymen. Then they all rushed out -of the building in a body, hissing and spluttering like a badly -constructed fuse in a powder trail. It was like the explosion of a small -magazine. I had no idea what had happened, but took in the full -significance of the scene I had witnessed when told that the notes which -had acted like a bomb formed the first bar of "God Save the Tsar." A few -miles farther on the Autocrat of All the Russias had already met an -ignominious death by being thrown down a disused pit near the line -dividing Asia and Europe. In death, as in life, he remained the divider -of his people. - -The trains started off during the night, and on the evening of the next -day we arrived at Hachinsk, where a Russian guard did the usual military -honours, and a sad-faced, deep-eyed priest presented me with bread and -salt, as becomes a Tartar who welcomes a friend. It was lucky for me -that I had some little training in public speaking, and that "Polkovnika -Franka" could make such excellent translations, or we might not have -made such a good impression as I flatter myself we did on some -occasions. - -At last we arrived at Omsk, the end of our journey, having passed in a -zigzag direction almost round the world. A few miles to the Urals and -Europe again--so near and yet so far! - - - - -CHAPTER IX - -OMSK - - -As Omsk, unlike so many other towns of Siberia, did not care to pay the -usual toll demanded by the railway prospectors, it is situated several -versts from the main trunk line. To overcome this inconvenience a branch -line was afterwards run up to the town itself. The date of our arrival -was October 18, and a right royal welcome awaited us. The station was -decorated with the flags of all nations, the Russian for the first time -predominating. We were met by General Matkofsky, the commander of the -district, and his Staff, who welcomed us on behalf of the new Russian -army, by M. Golovaehoff, Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs, and the -representatives of the municipal authorities and the co-operative -societies. The women of Russia presented us with bread and salt, and, -generally speaking, the people of Omsk gave us a real Russian welcome. -The ceremonial over, the men were taken to the Cadet School for tea and -entertainment, while the Russian officers regaled the Middlesex officers -at a feast in the Officers' Club. We were introduced to all and sundry, -and began to mix wonderfully well. If we had laid ourselves out for it, -we might have visited every decent Russian home in Omsk. As it was, we -soon became so much in demand that most of us had in a short time -formed lasting friendships with a very charming set of people. Their -welcome was doubtless tinged with relief at the security afforded by the -presence of well-disciplined troops. The wife of a Russian general told -me that she felt as though for the first time she could sleep peacefully -in her bed. The little cadet son of another officer gave permission for -his loaded rifle to be taken from the side of his bed, where it had -rested every night since the Bolshevik Revolution and the cadet -massacres had commenced. If I understand the Russian character denials -of this may be expected, but it is a fact that the presence of those 800 -English soldiers gave a sense of confidence and security to the people -of Omsk that was pathetic in its simplicity and warmth. However -suspicious of each other as a rule the Russians may be, there is no -question that when their confidence is given, it is given generously and -without reservation. As to its lasting qualities, that has to be proved, -but at the time it is something real and tangible, and no amount of -trouble taken for one's comfort is too great. - -On the date of arrival I had only a few moments for conversation with -Sir Charles Eliot, our High Commissioner, on the political situation. I -gathered from him and his Staff that a desperate effort was being made -to join the forces of the Directorate of Five, which stood as the -All-Russian Government and received its authority from the Constituent -Assembly at Ufa--largely Social Revolutionary in character--and the -Siberian Government, the outcome of the Siberian Districts Duma, which -met at Tomsk and was largely reactionary, with a small mixture of -Socialist opinion. The English and French representatives were genuinely -anxious that a workable compromise should be made between these two -groups and a Cabinet formed that would give confidence to moderate -Russian opinion, and so command Allied recognition with reasonable -prospects of success. This very desirable ambition of the Allied -"politicals" had the sympathy of every friend of Russia, but advice is -one thing, accomplishment another. It was impossible to expect that the -effects of hundreds of years of tyranny and bad government could be -swept away by the waving of a diplomatic wand. The Siberian Government -was largely composed of the "old gang," Revolutionary and Royalist, and -derived its support almost exclusively from the desire of the people to -escape further bloodshed; it was guarded by the Royalist Cossack clans, -as lawless as they are brave. The Ufa Directorate derived its authority -from the moderate Social Revolutionary party composed of the -"Intelligenzia"--republican, visionary, and impractical. Kerensky was, -from all accounts, a perfect representative of this class, verbose and -useless so far as practical reconstructive work was concerned. This -class blamed the unswerving loyalty of the Cossacks and the old army -officers for all the crimes of which the Tsars were guilty, and had -hunted them like rats in cellars and streets during the worst days of -the Second Revolution. The officer and Cossack class cursed Kerensky and -the Social Revolutionaries for destroying the old army and letting free -the forces of anarchy and Bolshevism, which had destroyed the State and -had massacred the manhood of Russia in an orgy of violence and hate. - -There should be no mistake made as to the apportionment of blame. -Kerensky is considered by all classes of Russian society as the cause of -all their calamities. They think, rightly or wrongly, that at the -supreme moment when the destiny of his race and country was placed in -his hands he proved traitor to the trust; that had he possessed -one-tenth of the courage of either Lenin or Trotsky millions of Russians -would have been saved from worse than death. - -To combine these hostile and divergent elements into a united party for -the resurrection of Russia seemed impossible to me, as it did to one -other Britisher, Mr. David Frazer, the _Times_ Pekin correspondent; but -the "politicals" thought otherwise. That they were guided by the highest -motives and that they gave of their very best in the interest of the -Russian people no one who has the slightest knowledge of the high -personal character of our representatives could doubt for a moment, but -they tried to accomplish the unattainable. The most that could be said -of their policy is that it was worth attempting. Try they did, and under -the influence of the Bolshevik guns booming along the Urals and of -Royalist conspiracies at Chita a piece of paper was produced with a -number of names upon it which seemed to bear the resemblance of a -working arrangement between these two opposites. - -I am writing this within three weeks of the occurrence, and may modify -my views later, but for the life of me I cannot understand the -satisfaction of our "politicals" with their work. They "downed tools" at -once and disappeared from the scene of their triumph as though the few -names on a piece of paper had solved the whole problem of the future of -Russia. It would be mighty interesting to know the nature of their -communications to their respective Governments. One thing, however, had -been done which was fated to have important after-effects. Vice-Admiral -Koltchak had been brought into the new Council of Ministers with the -title of Minister for War. I had never met the officer, and knew nothing -about him or his reputation, and merely lumped him in with the rest as -an additional unit in an overcrowded menagerie. Frazer and I had many -talks about these events, but we could fasten on to nothing real in the -situation except danger. - -On November 6, 1918, we were all invited to a banquet in honour of this -new All-Russian Government. It was to be the climax of all our efforts -and a tangible evidence of the successful accomplishment of a great -diplomatic task. I was rather late, and the ante-rooms were already -filled with soldiers and diplomats in grand uniforms with glittering -swords and decorations. - -I watched this peculiar and intensely highly-strung crowd with the -greatest interest, and except for one figure--a sort of cross between a -Methodist parson and a Plymouth Brother--was struck by the complete -absence of personality amongst the people present. The parsonified -person referred to turned out to be the Social Revolutionary, -Volagodsky, President of the Siberian Council, who had now transferred -his love from Siberia to the whole of Russia. But as my liaison officer -was repeating the names of those present a smart little energetic figure -entered the room. With eagle eyes he took in the whole scene at a -glance. The other officers had bowed gracefully to all their friends and -gallantly kissed the ladies' hands, while around them buzzed the -conversation. For an instant the buzz ceased, during which the brown -figure with the dark, clear-cut face shook hands with an officer friend -and departed. The impression on my mind was that I had seen a small, -vagrant, lonely, troubled soul without a friend enter unbidden to a -feast. - -The new President of the Council of Ministers, Avkzentieff, presided at -the banquet, and as we sat down I found myself at the end of the head -table, which gave me a good view of the stranger I had seen in the -vestibule sitting second round the corner. The dinner was good, the -vodka gave warmth to the blood and made a very pleasant contrast to the -"60 below" outside. Avkzentieff led the speeches. Immediately my mind -flew to Hyde Park Corner, and then to the Lyceum stage with Irving in -"The Bells." He spoke with assumed sincerity, cutting the air with his -hands in the manner that a Cossack sweeps off a head with his blade. He -sank his voice and hissed his words in a hoarse stage whisper, while -pointing to the ceiling with a dramatic forefinger. In other words, he -was the best actor it had been my pleasure to see for a long time--a -second edition of his more famous colleague, the futile Kerensky. -Little did I dream that within a few days I would beg for this man's -life and that the Middlesex Regiment would shield him from eternity. - -Then followed a speech by General Knox (Chief of the British Military -Mission), who implored all classes of Russian thought to pull together -to establish an Army and a Government capable of supporting law and -public order, a speech full of patriotism and very much to the point. -Then came General Bolderoff, Commander-in-Chief of the new Russian army -and military member of the Ufa Directorate. He had the appearance of a -big, brave, blundering Russian officer. Not too much brain, cunning, but -not clever. I should, however, give him credit for more than ordinary -honesty. Later Admiral Koltchak spoke--just a few short definite -sentences. Very few cheers or shouts greeted this orator. He seemed more -lonely than ever, but presented a personality that dominated the whole -gathering. There was the usual passing round and signing of menus. I -sent mine direct to the admiral for his signature, and when he -automatically passed it to General Bolderoff I said "Neat," and it was -returned with the solitary name of this solitary man. I was now -absolutely satisfied that the new Government was a combination that -refused to mix, and took the most stringent precautions to see that my -unit did not become involved in its impending overthrow. I, however, -made an important discovery at this congratulatory banquet, namely, that -Russia still had one man who was able to rescue her from anarchy. - -The business of Omsk went on much as usual, but Omsk society became -more subdued in its whisperings. Clique countered clique, and -conspirators undermined conspirators, while a peculiar tension hung over -all. - -During the negotiations connected with the formation of this Government -a very serious hitch occurred which at one time threatened the whole -project with disaster. General Bolderoff was known as a Social -Revolutionary in politics. Through him the Social Revolutionaries had -practically supreme control of the new army. Avkzentieff and Co., aiming -at Social Revolutionary control of all the forces of the new Government, -demanded that a Social Revolutionary should also control the -newly-organised militia, which were to act as a sort of military police -under the new regime. This was resented by the more moderate members of -both groups, as it would have practically placed all power in the hands -of one group, and that not distinguished for administrative ability or -caution. In addition to which, the very claim made the moderates -suspicious as to the use for which such power was to be employed. The -presence of the Allies and the determination to form some sort of -administration overcame these suspicions, and the moderates gave way and -left both forces under the command of the Social Revolutionary group. - -The Allies were pushing forward supplies intended for the new armies -facing the Terrorists along the Ural front, but it was soon discovered -that such arms were being deflected from their proper destination. The -front line was kept denuded of arms and equipment of which it was in -greatest need, while the militia in the rear, and under the Social -Revolutionary control, were being regimented and fitted out with -everything they required. The appeals of the front-line generals to -Bolderoff, the Social Revolutionary Commander-in-Chief, fell on deaf -ears, and things were getting into a serious condition. Admiral -Koltchak, as Minister for War, presented the appeals to General -Bolderoff, and backed them in a very determined manner. Bolderoff was -equally outspoken, declaring that the appeals from the front were -fictitious, and concluded one of these wrangles by informing the admiral -that it was not his business; that the Social Revolutionary group had -been forced by one of the Allies to accept the admiral as a member of -the Government; that they had done so merely to secure Allied support -and recognition, but he would remain a member of the Government only so -long as he did not interfere in business from which, by a resolution of -the Directorate, he was expressly excluded. Admiral Koltchak thereupon -tendered his resignation, but was later prevailed upon to withdraw it so -as to keep up a resemblance of harmony before the Allied Powers. He, -however, insisted upon making a personal inspection of the front, for -which permission was granted, as much to get him out of Omsk as for the -proper performance of his ministerial duties. - - - - -CHAPTER X - -ALONG THE URALS - - -On November 4 I received a telegram from Mr. Preston, British Consul at -Ekaterinburg, asking that a detachment might be sent to attend on -November 9 at the inauguration of Czech national life and the ceremonial -presentation of colours to four Czech battalions of the Czech National -Army. I consulted General Knox, and he having received a similar request -from General Gaida, commanding at Ekaterinburg, that a detachment should -visit the several fronts over the Urals for the purpose of giving moral -support to the war-weary veterans of our Allies, it was decided that I -should take the regimental band and a guard of one hundred picked men -for this purpose. Both Czech and Russian were sad at the long weary wait -between the promised help of England and the appearance of the first -khaki-clad soldier on the scene. - -All preparations had been made for my journey, and I was timed to start -from Omsk at 3 P.M. on Friday. Early on Friday I was informed that -Admiral Koltchak, the Minister for War, was also travelling to the Czech -ceremony, and, as engines were very scarce, would I allow his carriage -to be attached to my train? I readily consented. About midday a further -note informed me that the admiral's own car was found to be full of the -wives and children of his old naval officers, that there were no other -cars, but they hoped to be able to get another by 7 P.M. The result was -that we did not turn out of the town station till that hour. We had only -got to the lower station, less than a mile on our journey, when the -officials informed me that something had broken on the admiral's -carriage which would take two hours to repair. I felt there was a -deliberate attempt being made by someone to prevent either the admiral -or myself from performing our journey. At 11 P.M. I walked out to the -workshops where the repairs were being effected, and sat on an anvil -until 4 A.M., through a horrible Siberian night, while a good-tempered -"Russky" blacksmith accomplished his part of the task. - -No Russian official would dream of doing a straight thing if a crooked -one would accomplish his purpose. So "Polkovnika" Frank telegraphed in -my name to all the railway section commandants ordering them under pain -of summary execution to clear their part of the line and prepare express -engines at each stopping-place ready to haul on to the admiral's train -the moment it came in. We bribed an old Russian _provodnik_ to get us a -Russian flag to fasten on the admiral's carriage, which he did, and we -became the first Russian train that had dared to carry a Russian flag -for nearly a year. We also had two Union Jacks, and altogether the -Russian officials became suspicious that here at any rate was a -combination of colour to which the greatest respect must be paid. - -The result was that we finally started on our journey at 7 A.M. instead -of 7 P.M., just twelve hours late, and arrived at our destination one -hour in front of time. Guards of honour awaited us, and breakfast of a -more or less scanty character. A presentation of bread and salt, on a -fine wooden dish on which the ladies had painted a picture of the old -monastery under whose walls the great Czech national ceremony was to -take place. We marched past the building in which the Tsar Nicholas II -and his family had been imprisoned and from which they were taken to -die. I am anxious not to believe the untold horrors alleged to have been -inflicted on the female members of his family, but they are told -categorically. It is best to believe nothing one hears in Russia, and -what one actually sees is not always what it seems. - -We saluted the flag at the Consulate, where our great good comrade and -fellow-countryman, Consul Preston, gave warmth and good cheer to man and -beast. Suddenly we turned to the right and entered a huge square, -already surrounded by Czech troops, infantry, artillery and cavalry. It -was indeed a great sight. On the highest corner of the square a platform -was erected, on the right of which we were given the post of honour, and -for some strange reason which I could not understand were asked to play -the British National Anthem, when the whole Czech Army came to the -"Present!" as General Gaida and his Staff, with the colours, entered the -square. I felt that we were celebrating the birth of a nation. The scene -had that peculiar solemnity about it that makes the moment feel -pregnant with world events. One of the units was my old Ussurie -battalion, and our old chum, Captain (now Colonel) Stephan, was the -proudest man there, as he bore from the hands of the priest the -newly-consecrated colours of his country. What quantities of beer we -shall drink together if I ever see him in his dear Prague, thinking of -our thirsty days in Eastern Siberia! - -It was my first introduction to the dashing young Czech officer, General -Gaida, who by sheer pluck had played such an important part in cutting a -way for his army from west to east. We had the usual banquet, at which -Admiral Koltchak delivered the first important speech since his -appointment as Minister for War. I gave expression to the delight of my -own country at the birth of new nations and the resurrection of freedom -amongst the subject people of the world. I also gave expression to my -pleasure that the first act of the new Russian Minister for War was to -visit his army at the front and make himself personally acquainted with -the conditions of the Russian soldiers who were so gallantly fighting to -protect the people and the State from violence and anarchy. - -The ceremony over, we started at once for the Kunghure front, and the -early morning found us sliding rapidly down the European side of the -Urals. Huge forests, all loaded with snow, covered the mountain sides, -and there was a temperature quite impossible for British military -operations. We arrived about 11 A.M. at the headquarters of the army -under the command of General Count Galitzin. We held long conferences -and then lunched in his mess, which was quartered in an eight-wheeled -American truck. An occasional shell exploded first to right and then to -left, but none came very near, and by 2 P.M. the firing died away -altogether. It was decided to march to the advanced outpost and take the -band to give both friend and foe an opportunity to judge a sample of -British music. We got to the extreme point near which a cutting in the -railway gave excellent protection for the band, while the admiral's -Staff and my Middlesex guard went forward to have a look at the enemy. -The band started "Colonel Bogey," then went on to something which I do -not remember, but while we were groping about through machine-gun pits, -etc., the band behind began "Tipperary." That just put the finishing -touch to Bolshevik patience! This famous war tune got on their gunners' -nerves and they began to shell the tune for all they were worth. -Needless to say not a single shell went anywhere near the mark. All -shrieked over our heads and exploded harmlessly among the forest trees; -one, however, dropped near the railway bridge and went off like a -Hampstead squib on a wet bonfire night. It shows an utter lack of -culture among the Bolshevik officers that they could not appreciate good -music after we had taken so much trouble to bring it within their reach. -The band finished and the shelling ended. I expect they fancied they had -frightened my bandsmen, but the fact was they enjoyed the unique -experience immensely. - -General Count Galitzin is a very fine type of the officer of the old -regime; an aristocrat to his finger tips, but a fine leader of men, born -to command. I should think there is a big strain of Tartar blood in his -make-up, but he is altogether the sort of man one would prefer to meet -as friend rather than foe. We discussed the possibility of an offensive -in the direction of Perm, from where I humorously suggested we might be -able to rescue the forces of General Poole, which had gone into winter -quarters somewhere in the direction of Archangel. We returned to -Ekaterinburg, and without stopping, proceeded towards the Lisvin front -to meet General Pepelaieff. - -We arrived on the Lisvin front about 10 A.M. next day, but did not see -the enemy or hear his guns. This army had been compelled to retire some -60 versts the very day we were discussing an advance on Perm, and its -present position was none too secure. Pepelaieff is a young general, not -more than thirty, but looked a real hard-working soldier. His uniform -was as dirty and worn, though not quite so dilapidated, as the majority -of his soldiers. He had absolute confidence that he could beat the enemy -if his men had rifles and ammunition, which many had not. Half his men -were waiting for the rifles of comrades who might be killed or frozen in -the snow. The conferences were quite businesslike, and Admiral -Koltchak's presence seemed to galvanise the whole army into life and -energy. The "Russky soldat," whose boots had long since disappeared and -whose feet were bound up in bags to protect them from the snow, felt -almost certain that proper boots and clothes would follow from the War -Minister's visit. Pepelaieff came back in my carriage to meet General -Gaida, and the admiral also relished a British soldier's ration as we -discussed things generally, including the proposed advance and the -necessary measures to make it into a victory. - -We were to have gone next to the extreme right, where General Verzbitsky -operated on the flank, but the admiral said the condition of the -soldiers was very sad, and his immediate business was to organise the -rear and so secure the means by which the soldier at the front could do -his duty. We saw the ceremonial of the presentation of colours to the -11th Siberian Rifles, a fine proceeding greatly enhanced by the fact -that three officers of the regiment had rescued the colours (originally -presented by Peter the Great) from the Bolshevik Revolutionaries, and as -pedlars and peasants had tramped for months through the Bolshevik lines -and brought them safely to the new regiment. - -It was necessary for the admiral to see General Surovey and General -Detriks and their Staffs at Chilliyabinsk, and also to have a look at -the Ufa front. Travelling all night, we arrived at Chilliyabinsk next -morning, and after quite a formal inspection of guards, we adjourned for -lunch. The date I do not remember, but my old friend Colonel Pichon -burst through all etiquette to inform me of the terms of armistice -between Germany and the Entente, and brought out a bottle of champagne -he had preserved for the occasion; we swore by all the powers above and -below that we were the greatest people the world had ever seen in all -its ages and intended to remain so. - -Lunch over, I left the admiral to his generals and walked a little -through this straggling, snow-swept town, firmly believing that we were -about to start for Ufa. At 5 P.M. I was informed that the conferences -were over and there were urgent reasons for an immediate return to Omsk. -I did not object as I was not anxious to see more of this army of -ill-fed, half-clad soldiers struggling to save the State under -intolerable conditions. We started on our return journey and travelled -till 11 A.M. next day, by which time we had arrived at Petropalovsk. -Here the station commandant informed us that General Bolderoff wished -our train to wait for his, as it was most essential that he should have -a conference with the Minister for War. This was the first intimation I -had received that General Bolderoff had left Omsk and was on his way to -visit the Ufa front. The admiral invited me to his carriage and -explained the critical situation at Omsk, but could give no reason for -the sudden decision of the Commander-in-Chief to leave Omsk and meet him -on the way. I had my suspicions that the two groups of the Government -had come to grips, and that each had decided to destroy the other; that -Admiral Koltchak was to be sounded as to which of these groups had his -favour, and that his life, and perhaps that of his British escort, would -depend upon his answer. Bolderoff and the people at Omsk were unaware of -the presence of the British escort or its numbers, and while they may -have discovered our joint appearance at the Ekaterinburg function, there -had been no original decision to accompany the admiral to Chilliyabinsk. -That was only arranged the previous day. In revolutions you can never be -too careful, hence I gave orders to my men to load and be ready for -instant action if necessary. Orders were also issued to patrol the -platform and allow no people, uniformed or otherwise, to collect near -the trains, and in no circumstances were the two soldiers who were to -accompany the admiral to lose sight of him for one instant without -reporting it to me. Two others stood guard at the entrance to General -Bolderoff's carriage. When I saw the look on the face of the -Commander-in-Chief's attendants I was satisfied that my precautions were -no more than necessary. - -The general's train drew into the station and Admiral Koltchak entered -Bolderoff's carriage at exactly 12 noon on November 6, 1918. I asked my -servant, Moorman, to take a "snap" of the two trains, as I felt that -this conference was full of big events for Russia. While taking the snap -a returned emigrant workman spoke to Moorman in good English. He asked -who all these officers were and what they were all talking about, and -when my servant informed him he did not know, the emigrant said: "It is -all right so long as they do not want to bring back the old regime, but -if that is their object I can tell them that Russia will never submit to -live under the old regime again." I thought, and think now, that in that -workman's words I heard the voice of Russia. The conference between the -admiral and the general broke up at five o'clock; it had lasted five -hours. - -The admiral was hungry and came into my carriage for something to eat; -his servants had nothing ready as it is the Russian custom never to -begin to prepare a meal till you are ready to eat it. After the meal we -talked, and from the conversation I gathered the nature of the questions -discussed at his conference with the Commander-in-Chief. He asked me -whether in England our Minister for War had any responsibilities placed -upon him for the supply of clothing, equipment and general condition of -the British Army? I replied that in England the Minister for War was -responsible to the Cabinet and, through Parliament, to the country for -the general efficiency of the British Army in every detail. He answered: -"What would you think in England if the Commander-in-Chief told the -Minister for War that these matters had nothing to do with him, that he -would be allowed to keep a small office with two clerks but no staff, as -it was the Minister for War's name only that was of any use to the -Directorate (or in your case Cabinet), and the less he interfered with -the affairs of his department the better for all concerned?" I answered: -"If I were the Minister I should claim to have absolute control of my -department, or resign." He thought a minute and said: "That is what I -have done," or "what I intend to do," I forget which. From what followed -I think it must have been the former, because I asked him what General -Bolderoff said in answer to his claim, to which he replied: "General -Bolderoff is a very good man, and though he does not see everything as -I wish, I think he understands the situation, and will himself ask that -greater power should be given to enable me to save the new Russian army, -that it may be able to resurrect the Russian State." I well remember -that word "resurrect"; it was so pregnant with truth. The State _was_ -dead, Russia was no more; resurrection was necessary. - -We arrived at Omsk town station at 5.30 on the evening of November 17, -1918. The admiral thanked me for my help and my guard and for the -kindness and protection I had afforded him. I promised him my continued -help and sympathy in his patriotic attempt to revive the spirit of his -people. He went straight to his lodgings and remained there. - -The _Times_ correspondent in a message to his newspaper has suggested -that the admiral had prior knowledge of what was to happen that night in -Omsk. I do not think that was the case. He may have guessed that -something very unpleasant was in the wind--the least sensitive amongst -those behind the scenes knew that--but what it was, from which direction -it would come or on whom it would fall was a secret known to but very -few, and I am convinced that the admiral, except in a second degree, was -not one of them. Colonel (soon to be General) Lebediff could tell the -whole story, though his name was not even mentioned during the _coup -d'etat_. A young and able Cossack officer, he was on the Staff of -Korniloff when Kerensky invited the great Cossack general to march his -army to Petrograd to save the newly-elected National Assembly. It is -well known how, when Korniloff obeyed Kerensky's order, he -treacherously turned and rent to pieces the only force which was moving -at his own request and could have saved Russia. He, in turn, became the -victim of the ghouls who urged him to this act of destruction. Lebediff -escaped, but one can be certain that he retained a lasting hate towards -the Social Revolutionaries who had betrayed his great leader. - -The comrades of Kerensky, and in some cases the actual betrayers, had -found refuge in the Directorate of Five and the Council of Ministers, -and were continuing to play the same double game which had brought ruin -on the first National Assembly and disaster upon the Russian people. -They were members of the same futile crowd of useless charlatans who by -their pusillanimity had made their country a byword and the Treaty of -Brest-Litovsk possible. I was in a position to judge. I was certain that -this young man was the wrong sort to allow the execution of his chief to -pass without attempting punishment. - -He had drifted down to Southern Russia and joined General Denikin in his -first efforts against the Bolsheviks. Sent from Denikin with dispatches -to Omsk, he became the centre of a group of desperadoes who were in want -of a cool brain to make them formidable. The state of Omsk at this time -was simply indescribable. Every night as soon as darkness set in rifle -and revolver shots and shouts could be heard in all directions. The -morning sanitary carts picked up from five to twenty dead officers. -There were no police, no courts, no law, no anything. In desperation -the officers grouped themselves together and hit back indiscriminately -at the people they thought responsible for the murder of their comrades. -So a fair proportion of civilian bodies became mixed up with those -wearing uniforms. That the officers got home at last on the right people -is proved by the fact that these nightly murders became fewer and then -practically ceased altogether. - -It was into this scene of blood that we were hurled, and this was the -condition which had become quite normal in the capital under the rule of -the five-pointed Directorate. Its members were the most unmitigated -failures that even poor distracted Russia had so far produced, and the -people waited, hoping and longing, for their speedy removal. I was not -at all surprised when, next morning, my liaison officer, Colonel Frank, -returned from the Russian Headquarters in great perturbation and with -great excitement informed me that Russia was doomed never to rise out of -her troubles. I asked why. He answered that during the night some -villains had arrested the Social Revolutionary members of the -Directorate and Government, that no one at Headquarters knew the persons -who had again upset the whole government of the country, and he had no -doubt that the members of the late Government were already murdered. I -took the necessary precautions for the safety of my command and awaited -developments. I knew that the telegraph to the east was cut and that a -_coup d'etat_ was in course of execution. - - - - -CHAPTER XI - -WHAT HAPPENED AT OMSK - - -At 11 A.M. on November 18 I was officially informed that the Council of -Ministers had met at 9 A.M., and were now in session, having met to -consider the situation produced by the arrest of the Directorate. They -had already asked Admiral Koltchak to accept supreme authority, that he -had refused, but the Ministers had great hope that for the sake of -Russia the admiral could be prevailed upon to take the burden of -Government upon himself, as it appeared to be the only means of getting -the country out of her desperate situation. The wildest rumours were in -circulation: that my carriage would be attacked by bombs, that the -British would at any time be obliged to fight for their lives. I told my -informants that they need not worry about us; we were well able to take -care of ourselves. They could not understand our indifference. The fact -was that not a man or officer in my battalion had the slightest inkling -of the position. Then the tune changed. Would I defend the Ministers who -were still in session if they were attacked? My answer was that any -political refugee who sought asylum in my lines would be protected, but -he must give up every idea of again taking any part in Russian affairs. -"But what would you do if the Russian troops revolted and sought to -murder those who had come into your lines. Would you give them up?" -"Never!" "What if the Czech commanders made the demand?" "Still never; -besides which the Czechs are too honourable ever to make a demand such -as no soldier could accept." The last question was the most important of -all, and was doubtless the kernel of the whole series, the others being -mere camouflage. - -The Czechs had just inaugurated their National Republican Government, -and were naturally obsessed with the usual "Liberty, Equality, and -Fraternity" business, and could not be expected to view the -establishment of a Dictatorship within their sphere of operations with -entire unconcern or without serious misgivings. The hostile attitude of -the Russian branch of their National Council at Ekaterinburg and -Chilliyabinsk, directly they heard of Koltchak's acceptance of the -supreme authority, is proof of the danger which might evolve from that -quarter. - -The Council of Ministers, and perhaps Koltchak himself, were unable to -take the final plunge until they had a thorough understanding of the -British attitude. The position of the Czech forces at Omsk made it -impossible for them to approach the place where the Ministers were in -session without passing the British, and my machine guns commanded every -avenue leading to or from the Russian Headquarters. - -Things were now in such a state of tension that for the safety of my -command I informed both the Russian and Czech authorities that I should -not allow bodies of troops or citizens either to approach or collect -near my cantonment; that such approach or collection would be treated as -hostile, and dealt with accordingly. That these arrangements gave the -Ministers greater confidence to proceed with their policy I have no -doubt. That was one of the inevitable consequences of the preparations -for our own defence, but not the inspiration of their policy, which was -entirely their own; but it did steady the situation. - -I place these facts on record that those who are interested may be able -to give them their proper order of value and importance. I afterwards -learnt that more than one highly-placed official's wife had all -preparations made for a rapid descent upon the Middlesex quarters. - -About 2.30 P.M., November 18, I was informed that Admiral Koltchak had -assumed absolute power under the title of "Supreme Governor," with a -Council of Ministers who would be responsible to him for the proper -performance of their duties; that he proposed to call on the French -representative, Monsieur Renault, to present himself in the evening; -that he would then call on me, as the senior British officer in Omsk, -and in my case he would answer any questions I chose to put to him. He -called, and it is as well to place here the report I made upon the -subject at the time: - - From Lieutenant-Colonel John Ward, M.P., C.M.G., Omsk, Siberia. - -To G.O.C. China Command. Through B.M.M. H.Q. - -Headquarters B.M.M., Vladivostok. - -SIR,--For State reasons I deem it necessary to give the following -information that it may be forwarded home to the proper authorities. - -About 2.30 P.M. on November 18, 1918, my liaison officer (Colonel Frank, -of the Russian Army) informed me that at a meeting of the Council of -Ministers, just held, the Council had offered to place supreme sovereign -power in the hands of Admiral Alexander Koltchak. The admiral had first -refused to accept, but that such pressure had been applied to force him -to accept that he had at last reluctantly consented. - -Further, that Admiral Koltchak had assumed the title of "Supreme -Governor of all Russia," and was calling upon the French Ambassador in -the evening, after which he would call on me as the Senior British -Officer holding official position in Omsk. - -About 9 P.M. Admiral Koltchak called at my headquarters. The following -gentlemen were present to receive him: Lieutenant-Colonel J.F. Neilson, -Captain Stephani, Colonel R. Frank (Russian Army), and Mr. Frazer -(_Times_ correspondent). He wore the full dress of a Russian admiral. - -The admiral, who speaks fair English, informed me of the circumstances -and reasons for his assumption of supreme authority in all Russia. - -An attempt had been made to combine all parties in the Government of -the country to reduce it to a state of order, so that the people might -be able to decide the future Government of Russia. The Council chosen by -the Ufa Assembly had tried to work together for this purpose, but had -failed. The final dissolution had been brought about by a proclamation -issued by the Central Committee of the Social Revolutionary party, which -was intended to produce in the new army the same conditions that had -destroyed the old army. The proclamation had been signed by the Social -Revolutionary President, Chernoff, and when it was proposed to take -action against those who were destroying the discipline of the army, two -Social Revolutionary members of the Council, Avkzentieff and Zenzinoff, -could see nothing wrong in Chernoff's subversive propaganda. It later -transpired that both were members of the Social Revolutionary Committee -which had issued the literature in question, and refused to either leave -the Social Revolutionary Committee or repudiate the anti-discipline -propaganda of their friends. - -This brought the new Government to a complete standstill, and, faced -with absolute anarchy, the Council of Ministers had no alternative but -to dissolve the old Directorate of Five and centre the supreme power in -one person, to whom the Council of Ministers would be responsible for -the administration of their several departments. - -I answered that the reasons, coupled with my own knowledge, appeared to -justify the action, but I had heard that the Social Revolutionary -members of the Directorate and others had been arrested, and that if -this action supposed their execution it would make the whole proceeding -look like an attempt on the part of the old army officers to destroy the -present arrangements in favour of a return to the old regime. Further, -if the people of England thought this was the policy of the admiral and -his friends, they would not only lose the friendly sympathy of the -English people but also of America and France. - -Admiral Koltchak replied that at the moment he did not know the -whereabouts of the prisoners, but he would make inquiries and inform me -later. That his sole object in burdening himself with the overwhelming -responsibilities of Supreme Governor of Russia in this sad hour of her -history was to prevent the extremists on either side continuing the -anarchy which made the establishment of a free constitution impossible. -That if his action at any future time was not in harmony with the -establishment of free political institutions as understood by the -Democracy of England, he would be convinced that he had failed. - -I thanked him for his good opinion of my country, and called his -attention to the letter of His Majesty the King to President Wilson, -received at Omsk on November 14, 1918, in which the principles of -democracy and freedom were exalted, and warned him that the free peoples -of the world would resist any attempt to force the Russian people back -under a system of tyranny and despair. - -Admiral Koltchak replied that he had read the letter of His Majesty the -King of England, and his one hope was that soon Russia might enjoy the -blessing of equally free institutions. - -Omsk, Siberia, _November_, 20, 1918. - - -From Lieutenant-Colonel John Ward, M.P., C.M.G., Omsk, Siberia. - -To G.O.C. China Command. Through B.M.M. - -Headquarters B.M.M., Vladivostok. - -_Further Report on Political Crisis in Russia_. - -Following my report of the assumption by Admiral Koltchak of the supreme -Governorship of Russia, I wish to add: - -As I was unable to secure any official information relative to the -whereabouts of the members of the Directorate who had been made -prisoners during the night of November 17, I wrote to the Russian -authorities (through Lieutenant-Colonel J. F. Neilson) on the night of -the 18th requesting information upon the subject. On November 19, in the -absence of information, I sent the following letter direct to Admiral -Koltchak, the Supreme Governor: - - -OMSK, 19.11.18. 3 P.M. - -From Colonel Ward. -To Admiral Koltchak. - -After our interview last evening I sent you a note (through -Lieutenant-Colonel J. F. Neilson) asking for information and some -guarantee for the imprisoned members of the Council. - -So far I have received no information upon the subject. - -I have already told you that I am sure my country would look with grave -concern upon any injury inflicted without proper trial upon these -prisoners of State, and I should esteem it as a favour if you can supply -me with information upon this subject.--Yours sincerely, - -(Signed) JOHN WARD (Lt.-Col.). - - -Colonel Frank, my liaison officer, took the letter to Russian -Headquarters, and on his return informed me that the admiral thanked me -for my letter and that he was pleased to be able to allay my fears. - -Three officers, named Lieutenant-Colonel Krasilnikoff, Colonel Volkov, -and Lieutenant-Colonel Katanaev, had presented themselves at -Headquarters and reported that they took upon themselves the entire -responsibility for the arrest of the members of the old Russian -Government, that they had not injured them in any way, that they were -prepared to hand their prisoners over to the authorities, together with -several millions of roubles, believed to be loot, and papers which they -had found in their possession. That the admiral had placed the prisoners -under a strong guard of his own, and had placed the three officers under -arrest to be tried by court-martial. - -He further promised that no harm should come to them, and that he -proposed to convey them out of the country at the earliest opportunity. - - _November 20_. 1 P.M. - -Admiral Koltchak, hearing that a supply guard of my battalion was -returning to Vladivostok, has made request that I would allow the -railway cars conveying the State prisoners to some unknown point on the -Chinese frontier to be attached to my train for purposes of secrecy and -additional safety. I have consented, and have strengthened the guard for -this purpose. - -Omsk, Siberia, _November_, 21, 1918. - - -[COPY.] - -From Second-Lieutenant P.C. Cornish-Bowden, 25th Battalion Middlesex -Regiment. - -To The Adjutant, 25th Battalion Middlesex Regiment. - -Sir,--I have the honour to report for the information of the Commanding -Officer: - -1. The train conveying the four Russian political exiles (Messrs. -Avkzentieff, Argunoff, Rogovsky, and Zenzinoff) and the Russian guard, -together with a detachment of British troops under my command, left Omsk -about 2 A.M. on November 21, and arrived at Harbin on November 27. The -journey was quiet. Most of the larger towns, where trouble was -anticipated, were passed at night. - -2. I have since been informed by the officer commanding the Russian -guard that all traffic between Irkutsk and Chita was stopped by order of -General Semianoff, and that the trains were searched for the exiles -after we had passed, but I have no evidence in support of this. - -3. The exiles expressed the greatest possible gratitude for the presence -of British troops, and said that they mistrusted their own Russian -guard, though I saw nothing whatever at any time to lead me to believe -their suspicions were well founded. - -4. On arrival at Harbin the exiles strongly petitioned me to accompany -the train to Chang-Chun, and the officers in charge of the Russian guard -being quite willing, I decided to accompany the train to the -Chinese-Manchurian frontier. We reached Chang-Chun about 2 A.M. on -November 28, and the exiles left that place by themselves by train on -the evening of the same day. - -5. We reached Harbin again on the 29th inst., where I parted company -with the Russian guard. We reached Vladivostok on the morning of -December 2. I immediately reported to the O.C. Detachment, and I -reported the before-mentioned facts verbally to General Knox. - -6. The conduct of the N.C.O. and men of my detachment on the journey was -very good, and no increase of sickness took place amongst them.--I have -the honour to be, sir, your obedient servant, - -(Signed) P.C. CORNISH-BOWDEN -(Second-Lieutenant). - -Vladivostok, Siberia, _December_ 2, 1918. - - -I had already gained enough experience of revolutions to know that if I -did not press my point vigorously Avkzentieff and Co. were as dead as -mutton. I also knew that my countrymen have a rooted dread of -dictatorships, and that if Admiral Koltchak's assumption of power was -either connected with or promoted by the execution of his opponents -without trial, assistance or eventual recognition by the British -Government would be made almost impossible. My own agents had discovered -the place where the prisoners were detained, also that they were to be -quietly bayoneted in the night, as shooting would attract attention. I -was also certain that Koltchak knew nothing about this. The whole -business was in the hands of an Officers' Revenge Society, a body who -had sworn an oath to kill just the number of Bolshevik Revolutionaries -as there had been officers murdered by Trotsky's and Avkzentieff's -people. Both parties had similar combinations which left the marks of -their foul deeds on the streets every night. - -The state of affairs was such that only by a dictatorship could the most -rudimentary order be maintained. I, a democrat, believing in government -of the people by the people, thought I saw in the dictator the one hope -of saving the remnants of Russian civilisation and culture. Words and -names have never frightened me. If circumstances force on me a problem -for solution, I never allow preconceived notions and ideas formed in the -abstract, without the experience of the actual then existing facts, to -warp my judgment in deciding the issue; and I am vain enough to believe -that, had the same situation presented itself to Englishmen generally, -nine out of ten would act as I did. I merely "carried on." The -traditions of our race and country did the rest. - -Having, in my talk with the admiral and the report I made, accepted his -position of Supreme Governor, I did not mean that he should be left to -fight his way unaided against the enemies who surrounded him. In other -words, while outwardly remaining neutral, I constantly made -representations and gave advice, when asked, about everything, both -internal and external; and here it may be interesting to our own people -to know some of the problems which confronted the Supreme Governor. The -Japanese question was the first. General Rosanoff was Bolderoff's Chief -of Staff, and it was important to the Supreme Governor that he should -get the hang of outstanding matters and also make himself fairly -acquainted with the policy of the deposed Directorate. He interviewed -General Rosanoff and the Staff generally, and discovered that after the -fall of Samara the Bolshevik army moved rapidly towards Ufa, and the -Directorate became so alarmed that they demanded some definite policy -from the Commander-in-Chief as to how he proposed to deal with this -menace. Bolderoff never thought of effectively organising the new -Russian army, but suggested that things were so critical, and that -England, France, and America were so slow, that the only alternative was -to invite the Japanese to push their army forward to the Urals. This was -exactly what Japan wanted, but the Japanese Staff demanded as a _quid -pro quo_ to their advance to Ekaterinburg and Chilliyabinsk that they -should be placed in absolute possession of the railway and telegraph -lines to those points. Bolderoff and the Directorate boggled at this for -a time, but as the Bolsheviks began to get close to Ufa, and also -concentrated an army of about one hundred thousand men for an offensive -towards Ekaterinburg, the situation became so pressing that the -Directorate gave way, and a few days before the _coup d'etat_ Bolderoff -had sent word to the Japanese that their terms were accepted. - -The Japanese had made all preparations to move when Koltchak took the -reins in his own hands. He asked my advice. I advised him to say to the -Japanese that the change of Government had also involved a change of -policy, and that it would be inadvisable for the Japanese to advance -beyond their position at Chita until the subject had been further -discussed. They made him many tempting offers of help, both arms and -money, but he refused them all, and they were unable to move him from -the position he had taken up. - -A subject that led to unfortunate bickerings between Admiral Koltchak -and the French was the appointment by the Allied Council of Paris of -General Ganin as the Commander of the Allied and Russian Forces in -Siberia. - -It is too important an item in the general failure of Allied policy to -pass over without mention. From the very nature of the case the main -Allied effort was the formation and organisation of a new Russian army. -Our policy was not to prop Russia on her feet, but to enable her to -stand by herself. Major-General Knox had been sent out by the War -Office to accomplish this purpose, and no more able or competent officer -could have been appointed for the task. - -General Knox had hardly begun to perform this duty when the French -agents in Siberia became alarmed for their own position. Cables were -dispatched to Europe pointing out the danger to French prestige which -General Knox's mission entailed. If the English were to be made -responsible for the reorganisation of the Russian Army, and were -successful, this would tend to make New Russia rely more upon the -English than the French, as had been the case hitherto; that it would be -better to leave Russia without an army than have it organised under such -influence. These senseless fears of our French friends found willing -listeners in Paris. General Knox had already made some selections of -officers and the business was well under way when a message from the -Allied Council in Paris put an extinguisher on all his work. His orders -were cancelled, and he was told to do nothing until a French commander -had been appointed, whose name would be forwarded later. - -By this uninformed Allied interference a well-thought-out scheme of army -reorganisation was hung up for four of the most precious months to -Russia. By the time General Ganin arrived the time for the project had -passed and the whole business had been taken out of Allied hands. - -The Russian situation at that time was such that four days' delay would -have been fatal, and if nothing had been done for four months we should -have been hunted out of the country. - -Finding Allied jealousy so great as to render all their efforts -impotent, first General Bolderoff and then his successor, the Supreme -Governor, began to organise armies on their own for the protection of -the people and their property. These armies were ill-equipped and badly -disciplined--not the kind of armies which would have been raised had -General Knox's plans been allowed to develop--but they performed their -duty, they captured Perm, and had increased to over 200,000 before -General Ganin appeared on the scene. - -When General Ganin reported himself to the Supreme Governor with the -Allied Council's orders to take over the command of the Allied and -Russian forces in Siberia, he was met with a blank refusal from the Omsk -Government. - -I was consulted upon the question, and I am therefore able to give the -reasons for their objection. The Omsk Government's position was a very -simple one: "Had General Knox or any other Allied commander organised, -paid, and equipped the new Russian army he would have naturally -controlled it until such time as a Russian Government could have been -established strong enough to have taken over the responsibility. The -French would not allow this to be done, and we ourselves therefore -undertook the duty. Having formed our own army in our own country, it is -an unheard of proposal that we should be forced to place it under the -command of a non-Russian officer. It would be derogatory to the -influence and dignity of the Russian Government and lower the Government -in the estimation of the people." - -From this position they never retreated, but Allied bungling had landed -General Ganin, who is himself an able and excellent officer, in a not -very dignified position. - -Bolderoff, as I have stated, was at the Ufa front when Koltchak assumed -supreme power. He remained there in consultation with the Czech National -Council and the members of the old Constituent Assembly for five or six -days without a word as to his intentions. It was a critical position for -Koltchak, who did not know what he was doing or intended to do. -Hot-heads advised immediate action, but I suggested caution. The -subject-matter of Bolderoff's conferences or whether he had any we do -not know, but we do know this: General Dutoff, who commanded the Russian -armies south of Ufa, had some proposals from Ufa put before him, and -replied advising caution, as he had it on unimpeachable authority that -the English were behind Admiral Koltchak. This statement, I was told, -fell like a bombshell among the conspirators at Ufa, and soon after -General Bolderoff returned to Omsk. There he interviewed Koltchak as -Supreme Governor, and made satisfactory statement relative to his -absence. He was offered a post, which he refused, stating that he wished -to leave the country, as he did not believe that a dictatorship could -help Russia out of her difficulties. His request was granted, and so -ended a very different interview between these two men from that at -Petropalovsk a few days before. - -Some time after this the Japanese representative at Omsk made a request -to be informed whether General Bolderoff had been forced to leave the -country, or had left voluntarily. This was answered in a definite way in -accordance with the facts. In the same note the Japanese also demanded -to be informed whether the British Army had supplied the train and guard -which had taken the exiled Social Revolutionary Members of the -Directorate to Chang-Chun, on the Chinese frontier. This question was -not answered quite so definitely, but the interest of the Japanese in -these men shows how far the _coup d'etat_ had upset their plans relative -to the occupation of the Urals. - -The Supreme Governor issued definite orders to the different isolated -sections of the Russian forces. All commanders obeyed these orders more -or less except one, General Semianoff, whose headquarters were alongside -that of the Japanese at Chita, from which he sent insolent refusals to -recognise Koltchak's authority. Koltchak prepared to deal with this -mutinous and buccaneering officer. The Japanese at once plainly informed -the Omsk Government that General Semianoff was under their protection, -and they would not allow the Russian Government to interfere with him. - -Under Japanese protection this fellow continued to carry out -indiscriminate executions and flogging of workmen until the whole -district became depopulated, and the Allies were forced to demand an -explanation from Japan for their extraordinary conduct. So fearful were -they that their tool was about to be dealt with, that when the 1/9th -Battalion of the Hampshire Territorial Regiment started from -Vladivostok, the Japanese asked the Omsk Government whether these -British troops were coming forward to attack General Semianoff. The -answer we gave was that all movements of British troops were conducted -by the British Military Mission, to whom they must apply for -information. I never heard any more of their inquiries. - -About this time a party of Cossacks, with a high officer at their head, -called at the prison one night and produced to the governor an alleged -order for the release of nine political prisoners. The [perhaps] -unsuspecting governor handed his prisoners over; they were taken away, -and next morning their friends found them shot. Someone ought to have -been hanged, but Koltchak could find no one to hang. His Chief of Staff -must have discovered some facts about the crime, but he refused to act. -In fact, he did not acquaint the admiral about the crime until four days -later when it had become public property. Koltchak was quite overcome, -first with rage at the crime itself, and secondly at his impotence in -being unable to prevent it. But Omsk went on the even tenor of its way: -it is remarkable what horrors people can face without a tremor when they -get used to them, as they must in revolutions. - - - - -CHAPTER XII - -THE CAPTURE OF PERM: THE CZECHS RETIRE FROM THE FIGHTING - - -The _coup d'etat_ had thrown the proposed Perm offensive completely into -the background. The Czechs, under the influence of their Political -Council, who had joined the Social Revolutionary Committee, and their -leader Chernoff, retired to the rear. Each unit elected a committee and -established a Soldiers' Council on the strictest Bolshevik plan, and -ceased to be of further use either to the Russians or their own cause. -The officers of the new Russian army became greatly concerned for the -integrity of their own young troops with such a shocking example of lack -of discipline before their eyes, and begged Admiral Koltchak to order -these hostile political bodies out of Ekaterinburg. The admiral offered -them a town in the rear where they might discuss politics to their -hearts' content, without danger to his army. This, however, did not suit -their plans, for their obvious object was to destroy the integrity of -the new Russian army. Admiral Koltchak in desperation ordered the -leaders to be arrested and the conspiracy to be broken up. General -Gaida, though a Czech officer, put the admiral's order into effect, and -handed the prisoners over to the Commander-in-Chief, General Surovey, at -Chilliyabinsk. General Surovey, under pressure of the Czech Council and -Chernoff's Committee, released the prisoners, and began to hunt the -famous young General Gaida out of their hitherto equally famous army. To -save himself from disgrace at the hands of his political enemies, the -general resigned his commission in the Czech Army, and by joining the -Russian Army was instantly re-established in his position as Commander -of the Russian armies on the right. Thus fell the glorious Czech legions -from their high pinnacle of fame, killed as all armies must be the -moment they join in party strife. - -From the point of view of purely Russian tactics, it was necessary to -strike south from Ufa, with the object of effecting a junction with the -Orenburg Cossacks under General Dutoff, and if possible linking up with -the forces of General Denikin in South Russia. But no exact or reliable -information could be secured as to the strength and equipment of Dutoff -or Denikin. - -On the other hand, it was known that an Anglo-American force had landed -at Archangel, which it was presumed would be well supplied with winter -equipment, and if once a junction could be effected with this force, a -channel for European supplies could soon be opened. Every cartridge, -gun, rifle, and article of clothing had now to be shipped almost round -the world, and brought over about six thousand miles of more or less -disorganised railway communication. Koltchak had men, but no means for -making them into fighters unless supplied from outside. It was felt -certain that if his armies could smash their way through to Perm, and -hold a point somewhere between there and Vatka, the junction of the -Archangel and Petrograd Railway, the slightest movement of the Archangel -expedition would result in a combination which could and would move -straight forward to Petrograd, and free north Russia from the -Terrorists. - -Originally I was to have operated in the centre with a detachment of the -25th Middlesex Battalion and four machine guns, and authority had been -given for my part in the advance. The complete defection of the Czechs, -however, threw the time-table out of joint, and not even the restless -energy of the Supreme Governor could make up this loss for nearly four -weeks. In the meantime the cold became so intense that the British -contingent, being only B1 men, had to drop out. General Gaida, with his -divisional generals, Galitzin, Pepelaieff, and Verzbitzky, pressed -forward their preparations, and after a splendid series of movements -captured Perm with 31,000 prisoners and an enormous booty of war -material. The losses of the Russians were about 6,000 killed, of the -Bolsheviks about 16,000. There were practically no wounded, for any man -who sank in the snow was dead in an hour. Thus did the admiral -consolidate the power that had been entrusted to him. - -The Terrorists were completely demoralised, so that the army advanced to -Glasoff, 80 miles east of Vatka and 60 miles south of Koltass. We were -now only about 300 miles east of Petrograd, and there we waited for -seven months for the Archangel move, which never came off. For some -time the country was so absolutely clear of enemy forces that small -parties of men passed unmolested from Glasoff to Archangel and from -Archangel to Glasoff. Eventually the Terrorists got the correct measure -of this Northern expedition, contained it with a slight screen, and -concentrated huge forces to press us back over the Urals once more. - - - - -CHAPTER XIII - -THE DECEMBER ROYALIST AND BOLSHEVIST CONSPIRACY - - -The tenure of a dictator's office is very uncertain. He issues his -orders, but if the army chiefs can escape from executing them they do -so, on one pretext or another. The Russian character is most peculiar in -this respect. It will obey one thing only--force. Patriotism and public -spirit, as we know them, do not exist to any great extent. Every man -looks at every order from the personal point of view--"How will this -affect me?"--rarely, if ever, "How will it affect the country?" - -It is remarkable how much Koltchak had already accomplished, but it -seemed that his career might end at any moment, in spite of every -precaution of his friends. Of these he had not many; no real dictator -should expect to have any. No man will have many friends in Russia who -puts personal questions second to the public welfare. - -The preparations for the Perm offensive were well under way, when a -dispatch came from General Dutoff, stating, "That in view of the -pressure by our forces on their left the Bolshevik leaders had decided -to, what they called, 'organise their enemies' rear.' That seventy of -their best propagandist and most capable agents and officers had passed -between his columns and were now distributed somewhere in our midst." -All we could do was to wait, and see where this treacherous movement -would show itself first. - -The fact that Koltchak had declared for the calling of a National -Assembly, elected by universal suffrage, to decide the future government -of Russia, so soon as order was restored, had shattered completely the -vision of the old army officers of a quick return to absolutism. His -declaration against extremists on either side had driven Bolshevik and -Tsarist into practically one camp. He was well known as a student of -English customs and institutions and a pre-revolution advocate of -constitutionalism. The Tsarist section hoped that his assumption of -supreme authority was proof that he had discarded his democratic -principles, but gradually his official declarations to the -representative of the British Government leaked out and spread -consternation in the ranks of both sections of the Absolutists. The -Bolshevik leaders have never made any bones about their fear and dread -of democracy as understood in England, and have declared they would -prefer a return to the old regime rather than have a Constitution like -that of England or America forced upon them. Hence there is no real -difference of principle between the Bolshevik and the supporters of the -old regime, only a difference as to who should wield the power. For the -moment they let this minor point slip into the background, and combined -for the destruction of the man who was the enemy of both. - -About midnight, December 23, Russian Headquarters gave me the alarm. -Shots were being fired in all directions, and a spent bullet struck my -carriage while I was getting into my clothes. Horsemen in little groups -were surrounding the Staffka without much sign of order. Having -inspected my battalion at their emergency quarters, I called for a -personal guard to escort me to Headquarters. I regret there was no -impressionist artist with us to record the weird procession my guard -made. When sheepskin coats were provided for my men for use in a cold, -snowbound country, it is a real English touch that they should have been -black in colour, making my men a perfect target both night and day. -Their fur caps were a dark brown of the well-known Nansen type, the -half-moon peak making the head of the wearer a good mark at midnight up -to 300 yards. The cap is pointed, and has much the appearance at night -of a small mitre. What with huge fur boots, black pointed caps, and long -black coats, there was nothing to indicate the British Tommy in the line -of black monks that moved silently forward over the frozen snow. The -temperature was such that as the slight wind brought the water to one's -eyes the drops froze to hard white spots of ice at the corners. Breath -from the nostrils froze before it could leave the nose, and from each -nostril hung icicles, in some cases 2 inches long, which again froze to -the moustache. The eyebrows and eyelashes and the protruding fur edge -which enclosed the faces of the men carried a wonderful display of hoar -frost, and gave the appearance of white lace frills, such as are seen on -"granny's" caps. - -As we entered the Russian Headquarters, which were crowded with more or -less excited officers and men, my guard lined up on each side of the -vestibule, and without a word proceeded to unsling rifles and fix -bayonets. The Russians, who were even now debating on which side they -were going to slide down, looked at my soldier monks, and at once -themselves fell into line. There was no longer any hesitation. "Anglisky -soldats" were in possession of Russian Headquarters, and the reputation -of English soldiers in emergencies like this is known all over the -world. I interviewed the Chief-of-Staff, General Lebediff, as to his -orders for suppressing the revolters and went downstairs to find the -vestibule empty except for my "monks." No one who was not there could -believe the absolute transformation that the mere presence of a few -English soldiers had on this critical situation. In revolutions every -rule and safeguard of society is uprooted; the people feel as in an -earthquake, nothing is secure, everyone doubts his neighbour. If those -who are prepared to support authority can only discover at the right -moment one little group round whom they can rally, and who they know -will think nothing of death in performance of duty, the danger is over -at once. Hesitancy disappears, and the normal is instantly produced. We -filed out to find the infantry in their ranks, and the horsemen mounted -in line, under their officers, awaiting orders. - -I proceeded through the town to the residence of the Supreme Governor. -On our way we passed parties of soldiers and Cossacks hurrying to their -posts, who eyed us suspiciously, but on seeing me at the head in the -uniform of a British officer, ejaculated loudly to their command the -magic word "Anglisky," until like a talisman the word passed from sentry -to sentry and street to street, and "Anglisky" became the password which -held the whole town for law and order. We passed towards the admiral's -house without challenge until the Cossack and Serbian guard at the -actual entrance called us to halt pending the governor's orders. The -order soon came for us to enter. The admiral was ill, very ill with -inflammation of the lungs, but as brave as ever. My "monks" lined up in -the vestibule in the same manner as at Headquarters, and even the -personal Serbian guard had to make way for these queer-looking visitors. -I got the information required. The revolt was very serious, but I was -able to inform the admiral that effective measures had now been taken to -provide for all eventualities. I begged leave to depart, which was -granted, but not before my men had been given food and a taste of -Russian vodka, which appears to be the only effective antidote to the -cold of a real Siberian winter. I returned, to find that the fact that -the English soldiers were out was known in every house in Omsk, and -numerous requests from the highest to the lowest for protection had been -received on the telephone. I give no names, but the fact shows what a -remarkable influence the presence of a few British soldiers had in -steadying the situation. - -My orders were to take no part in the internal affairs of Russia, but it -is the duty of every commanding officer to take all possible means to -protect his command. If I had remained in my quarters and made no sign -until these Royalist and Bolshevik enemies had obtained possession of -the town, I should have presented a dainty morsel which they could have -masticated at leisure. I had to show my hand early enough to make sure -it did not go against me. It turned out that I marched from my barracks -just when news had been brought of the mutiny, under Royalist and -Bolshevik leadership, of two companies of the 8th Regiment of the new -Russian army. A body of Bolsheviks at Koulomsino, on the other side of -the river, had taken up arms and were bent on the destruction of the -bridge over the Irtish, which formed the means of communication with the -armoured trains of H.M.S. _Suffolk_, and our naval detachments at Ufa. -The Czechs (our Allies), who had the same orders as myself, on learning -that the Tsarists were also in the conspiracy, frustrated this scheme by -instantly moving forward a company for the protection of the bridge, -which arrived just in the nick of time. Had we acted strictly to orders, -Heaven only knows what the result would have been. British and Czech -both had to act on our own judgment, and while, technically, we -disobeyed orders, we fulfilled the policy of each country and protected -our commands. - -It cost nearly a thousand lives to restore order, but the lawless -elements, top and bottom, were taught a lesson they are not likely to -forget. This happened in the middle of the Perm offensive. It did -nothing to assist the Bolshevik cause, but it did much to embitter the -struggle. - - - - -CHAPTER XIV - -A BOMBSHELL FROM PARIS AND THE EFFECT - - -The foregoing incidents gave place to more personal matters. About -December 28 the Staff of the Canadian contingent under Lieutenant- -Colonel Morrisy arrived, and, as one might expect, revolutionary plans -in connection with the distribution of my battalion, and other matters, -were instantly proposed. Some of them were actually carried out, with -the result that a strained feeling became manifest in the British camp -at Omsk, which caused me to propose to Brigadier-General Elmsley that -my headquarters should be transferred to Vladivostok. Luckily the -arrival of the 1/9th Hampshire Territorial Battalion on January 5, -1919, under the Command of Lieutenant-Colonel Johnson, led to an -improved condition of things all round us. This officer gripped -the situation at once, and took such steps, in conjunction with -the High Commissioner, Sir Charles Eliot, that I was prevailed upon -to withdraw my request for the removal of my headquarters. Colonel -Johnson was a great accession of strength to those who held the -purely English point of view, and his battalion, recruited as it -was from my home county, helped to make all our relations wonderfully -cordial. General Elmsley replied later refusing my request, so that -everything fitted in just right. - -On January 8 a parade was called to present General Stephanik with the -Legion of Honour and Major-General Knox, the Chief of the British -Military Mission, and myself with the Croix de Guerre. It was a real -Siberian day, "62 below," and in five minutes ten men had frost-bitten -ears. General Ganin, the French Commander-in-Chief of the Allied forces, -made the presentations on behalf of the French Republic, uttering a few -words to each recipient. I received the hearty congratulations of all -our friends, which kept me warm the whole day. I thanked Colonel Pichon, -who took over from me the command of the Ussurie front, and with whom I -acted for some time, for this great honour. I felt sure that my -decoration was the result of his reports upon myself while acting -together under very awkward circumstances. - -Towards the middle of January the British High Commissioner conveyed to -Admiral Koltchak an extremely sympathetic message from the British -Government. The French High Commissioner followed next day with a -similar message from the French Government, except that it distinctly -referred to the possibility of help and recognition. The Allied -representatives felt more happy and secure as a result of these -felicitations than they had done for some time, and the Russian -authorities began to feel it possible to press on with the work of -"resurrection." A new page in the history of a great recovery had been -added to Russian records. Exactly four days later a wireless message -came through from Paris to say that the Allied Council had declared that -it could give no help or recognise either side; that the different -parties and Governments existing in Russia must bring about an -armistice, and send representatives to the Turkish "Isle of Dogs," near -Constantinople, and arrange a compromise with each other. In other -words, that the Bolsheviks were to be recognised as legitimate -belligerents, with whom it was quite possible to shake hands and sit -down to draw up an agreement as to the proper method of conducting a -policy of rapine, robbery, and murder. Needless to say, every Britisher -was disgusted, and every genuine Russian patriot simply amazed. At one -swoop down went all our hopes! We were crushed as much or more than the -Russians, because we had the honour of our countries to defend, and -defence seemed impossible. - -A sudden reaction against the European Allies set in at once, and became -so violent that a Russian gentleman made an abusive speech to the Allied -officers as they sipped tea in a well-known restaurant, and the public -refused to allow the guard which was called to arrest him to carry out -the order. This feeling was undoubtedly exploited by the Japanese for -their own purposes. - -A very tense condition of affairs existed, when on January 31 I asked -for a special interview with Admiral Koltchak that I might introduce my -colleague and comrade, Colonel Johnson, and talk over the situation. The -admiral was out walking by the river, quite unattended, but in full view -of the guard at his residence near the river bank. It was his first walk -since his illness, and he looked quite recovered. The talk naturally -veered round to the Allied declaration in favour of the Bolsheviks and -the situation it had created in Omsk. The admiral's attitude was quite -simple. "We can talk and make compact with every party and Government in -the different districts of Russia, but to compromise with Bolshevism, or -shake the hand, or sit down and treat as equals the men who are -outraging and murdering the Russian people--never! No decent Allied -Government acquainted with the facts would ever expect it." - -I asked him to consider the question as in no way decided by the Paris -message, that I felt sure there must be some points connected with the -decision that required further elucidation. "Yes!" said the admiral. -"There must be some facts with which we are not acquainted, for while -the British Government advise an arrangement with the Bolsheviks they -continue to furnish me with generous supplies for the Russian Army." I -left quite satisfied that he still retained his faith in the friendship -of England. - -There was one queer point which needs to be placed on record. Admiral -Koltchak observed that the Japanese were still causing him much trouble. -They had been unable to approach him personally but had been "getting -at" his officers, whose business caused them to make frequent visits to -the Ural front. They made statements to the effect that the only state -which was in a position to help Russia was Japan. The other armies were -war-weary and clamouring for demobilisation and therefore unwilling to -fight the Bolsheviks. If Admiral Koltchak was compelled to make a -reasonable arrangement with Japan, their army would guarantee to -liquidate the Bolshevik forces in two months and establish a monarchy -satisfactory to the Russian officers. This propaganda had reached the -front, and had been referred to as assuming very serious importance by -his front-line generals in their dispatches. To counteract this -pernicious influence, he was proposing to visit the front himself to -point out the impossibility of Japan, as one of the Entente Allies, -being able herself to execute such a programme. I asked him how this -propaganda began and who engineered it. He answered: "General Muto and a -staff of twenty-six officers and intelligence assistants are working -hard here in Omsk to influence Russian opinion in their direction." -Finally the Supreme Governor said, "I make no complaint against these -very excellent Japanese officers, they are only carrying out the orders -of their political and military chiefs, but it makes my work of -restoring order much more difficult." - -There were other little rifts within the lute. The Russian officers are -Royalist almost to a man, and will remain so, for they are all most -childlike in their adherence to this principle. Some gossip informs one -of them that Prince Kuropotkin is still alive and has been seen on the -Russian frontier. "Oh!" he exclaims. "Then the admiral will be handing -over his power to Kuropotkin directly he hears the prince is alive!" -Next day he may be told that the prince is not a soldier and his -enthusiasm at once oozes out of his finger tips. The next day some -British supplies arrive, and then he is all for reliance upon the -Allies. A few days later, the Government not having been recognised by -the Powers according to his wish, he curses the Powers and becomes -morose. The day following he hears in a restaurant that -Demitri-Pavlovitch is hiding as a peasant in Siberia, and he is -immediately in about the same ecstatic condition as the shepherds who -beheld the Star over Bethlehem. Every possible--or impossible--person -under the sun becomes to him a potential saviour of his country; never -does he think how he and his comrades themselves might save her. The -Russian officer, indeed, is "just a great, big, brave, lovable baby, and -nothing else." "Gulliver's Travels" ought to have an immense circulation -should it ever be translated into the Russian language. The "Arabian -Nights" appears as an unimaginative narrative of humdrum events compared -with the stories in current circulation in Omsk and Siberia generally. - -The two following extracts from my diary record incidents which occurred -at this time. - -"February 1, 1919. Last night three Bolshevik conspirators entered the -officers' quarters of the 1st and 2nd Siberian Regiment disguised as -Russian soldiers. The first intimation outside that anything was wrong -was rapid revolver shots inside. The sentry captured one of the -imitation soldiers as he tried to escape from the building. In less than -two minutes the conspirators had shot five officers, two of whom were -mortally wounded in the stomach. One conspirator was shot dead, one was -captured, one got away. The knout was applied to the prisoner, and at -the hundredth stroke he gave the whole conspiracy away. Over fifty -arrests followed his confession, with the result that all is again quiet -in Omsk." - -"February 3, 1919. Lieutenant Munro has just arrived at Omsk from -Vladivostok with comforts from the ladies at Shanghai, Hong-Kong and -Singapore. Words fail to describe the feelings of both officers and men -as they received these tokens of love and remembrance from their own -countrywomen in this cold inhospitable climate. It is a beautiful -feeling, and though the actual work performed is the effort of a few, -the whole sex receives a crude sort of deification from these womanly -acts. The way one of the commonest Tommies looked at a small -wash-flannel that had evidently been hemmed by hands unused to work of -any description, and asked me if I would give the lady his thanks, would -have gone to the heart of the fair but unknown worker could she have -witnessed it. - -"I heard news of general insubordination among the Canadian troops that -had just arrived at Vladivostok. If all the information received could -be relied upon, the sooner they were shipped back to Canada the better. -There is enough anarchy here now without the British Government dumping -more upon us. I can see that it is a great mistake to mix Canadians and -British troops in one Brigade. Naturally, British soldiers carry out -orders; if other troops do not, then the British troops have to do all -the work. The situation produced is that the highest paid soldier does -no work and the lowest paid all the work. It soon percolates to the -slowest Sussex brain that discipline does not pay. Nothing but the -wonderful sense of order in the make-up of the average Englishman has -prevented us from becoming an Anglo-Canadian rabble, dangerous to -Bolshevik and Russian alike. I am told that Brigadier Pickford had done -his best to maintain order and discipline in his ranks; that he had been -compelled to make very awkward promises to his troops which having been -made had to be fulfilled. In all the circumstances it was generally -agreed that the proper thing to have done was to send the Canadians home -to their farms, and leave the few Britishers who were there to carry on. -We had established excellent relations with the Russians which it would -have been a thousand pities to spoil." - - - - -CHAPTER XV - -MORE INTRIGUES - - -While the loyal Russian officers were being murdered in their beds, -other events not less important were happening. When Admiral Koltchak -assumed supreme authority the Directorate was surrounded by a party of -Royalist officers as turbulent and lawless as Trotsky himself. Private -code messages passed between these officers as freely as if they already -had the power in their own hands. The first intimation that Koltchak had -of these conspiracies was a code message from General Evanoff Renoff to -General Beloff, General Bolderoff's Chief of Staff, which unfolded many -of the aspirations of these men, and showed their objects to be -exclusively personal. I read these messages with great interest, as they -gave me an excellent insight into the mainsprings of the revolution and -incidentally into the character of the average Russian officer. General -Antonovsky, of the old Russian Military Academy, who also assisted in -the drafting of the Brest-Litovsk Treaty with the Germans, was a -participant in the scheme, and was within an ace of becoming the -admiral's Chief of Staff. Everything was working splendidly, when the -cipher message from Renoff opened the ball. Beloff was sent to the east, -and Antonovsky to the south, and the Absolutists became broken up. - -On February 1 my liaison officer informed me that as he waited in the -corridor of headquarters, General Beloff came out of General Lebediff's -room. A little later General Antonovsky came out of another room, and -then these two were suddenly joined by a certain Cossack general of a -very truculent type. I knew that this boded badly for order, and I -warned Koltchak's young aide-de-camp. Shortly after it was reported to -me that an attempt had been made to exchange a sham guard for the real -one at the Supreme Governor's residence. That night I held our direct -wire from Colonel Johnson to my ear till 12.30 A.M., and found that it -was tapped by Russian Headquarters. General Knox had got to know things, -and took certain action, with the result that I sent my officer to -Russian Headquarters with instructions to inform General Lebediff we -were anxious for the Supreme Governor's safety; that if any harm was -contemplated against him we should hold him responsible unless he made -us acquainted with the danger in time to avert it; further, that if the -Absolutist officers thought they could murder Admiral Koltchak and -proclaim an absolute Monarchy without the sanction of the people of -Russia they were mistaken; that whoever, whether high or low, attempted -to destroy the present Government and throw Russia back into violence -and anarchy would be treated as enemies by the British soldiers. General -Lebediff answered that he knew of no special danger threatening Admiral -Koltchak at the moment, but he thanked Colonel Ward for his offer to -help protect the Government in case of necessity. - -The conspirators broke up at once, but the cunningest of the lot -remained to weave again by social strategy the continuous web of Russian -disorder. We knew that there were elements at work for a -counter-revolution quite uncontrolled by, but acting with, the -cognisance of officials of the Koltchak Administration. In revolutions -sudden outbursts on the part of even a small party may soon jeopardise -the whole organisation of State. Colonel Johnson and myself agreed that -it was necessary to concentrate our forces, and in approaching the -Russian authorities on this subject, we added further to the -demoralisation of those who were in the conspiracy. We protested that it -was our own safety that we had in view, but the conspirators did not -believe us. I knew that the admiral's train had been for some days -standing ready to take him to the front. On February 3 Omsk was informed -that the important Japanese Mission (previously referred to) had started -from Irkutsk on the last stage of its journey to the Supreme Governor. -The governor's aide-de-camp informed me at the same time that the -admiral was starting for the front at 5 P.M. on February 7. - -General Knox was anxious that there should be no evidence of weakening -in our support of the Omsk Government, as in case of disorder our -position was by no means secure. After consultation it was decided to -offer the admiral a personal guard for his journey, to consist of fifty -men and one officer from the Hampshire Regiment. This was accepted and -referred to the Chief of Staff for confirmation. It was then reported to -General Ganin and the French Staff. They at once protested that to have -a purely English guard would lower French prestige in the eyes of the -Russians. They quite agreed that there ought to be a guard, but it must -be half English and half French, and to this we at once agreed. We -therefore reduced our number to twenty-five. Then, however, the French -Staff pointed out that they had no troops in Omsk, and they could not -leave the Staff without a cook. The greatest number of orderlies they -could spare was nine, so it was suggested that the guard should consist -of forty-one English and nine French soldiers. This took the -negotiators' breath away entirely; the first proposal was destructive of -French prestige, the second was enough to destroy France altogether! -Really France is much too beautiful and gallant a country to have this -sort of stuff put forward on her behalf, but there it was. So the -admiral's guard consisted of nine soldiers with one officer of each -nationality--twenty all told. - -One point we did get home on. At the time appointed for the admiral's -departure, an English guard of honour miraculously appeared on the -scene, together with Russian and Czech guards. There _could_ be no -French--yet French prestige continued to stand just as high as ever it -did. I give these facts in the most friendly spirit, but with a hope -that English officers will always understand that, however much we smile -at the peculiar gyrations of the word "prestige" as understood by our -Continental neighbours, it is very real to them, and strange exhibitions -of it are seen on occasions. - -The Supreme Governor had arrived and shaken hands with the Russian, -English and Czech representatives, including Sir Charles Eliot, the -British High Commissioner, and General Bowes, the Chief of the British -Military Mission to the Czecho-Slovaks. The French representative was -late. When the ceremonial was nearly complete, a French officer (not -above the rank of captain) elbowed his way to the front and vigorously -brushed aside the British High Commissioner and general, and stood with -his back towards them as though they were mere outside spectators who -had no business there. The same evening the incident was being discussed -amongst a group of Russian and English officers, when a Russian officer -of the highest position observed, "You English have the queerest notion -of national prestige of all the countries I have been so far acquainted -with. Any ordinary Russian, Kirghis, Tartar, or Mongolian officer seeing -a French captain brush aside the representatives and generals of another -state would instantly decide that he only did so not because of want of -politeness, which one-half the world does not understand, but because -the nation to which he belongs was so great and powerful there was no -need to be deferential to any of the others, and especially so to the -state whose representatives allowed themselves to be so easily brushed -aside." - -We had many conferences upon the condition of the Russian workman, and -whether it was possible for the Allies to do anything to help them. -British officers were making desperate efforts to organise and equip -forces capable of dealing a death-blow to the Bolsheviks in the early -spring. General Knox worked like a Trojan, and gave more inspiration to -the Russian Government than all the other Allied representatives put -together. In fact, without his sagacity and determination we should have -been better employed at home. He travelled from "Vlady" to Omsk, from -Omsk to "Vlady," as though the 5,000-mile journey was just a run from -London to Birmingham. His great strength was that he made up his mind on -a certain course, and stuck to it, while everyone around him could never -decide upon anything for long. If you want anything done, don't have -Allies. Allies are all right when a powerful enemy is striking you or -them; it is then quite simple; mere self-preservation is sufficient to -hold you together for common protection. Let the danger pass, let the -roar of conflict recede in the distance, and Allies become impotent for -any purpose except spying on each other and obstructing the work in -hand. There was no evidence that anyone, except the English, was doing -anything to smooth the way for the new Russian Government, but by sheer -energy General Knox had brought together personnel and stores sufficient -to justify belief in the early success of his plans. Then there suddenly -arose another sinister figure which threatened to upset all our -calculations--namely, a well-timed revolt of the railway workmen, -calculated to cripple our communications and make the movement of troops -and supplies impossible. - - - - -CHAPTER XVI - -RUSSIAN LABOUR - - -General Dutoff, as I have previously recorded, had informed us that -Bolshevist agitators had passed through our lines on this treacherous -mission, and for months nothing had been heard of these emissaries of -mischief. Now that we were approaching the critical point of the 1919 -operations rumblings of an unmistakable character were heard in all -directions. The necessary military measures had been taken, but in our -English eyes suppression was not enough. We have learnt in our country -that the workmen are the backbone of the State, and that when labour is -badly paid the heart of the State is diseased. Russia has no ideas about -labour at all. The autocracy never gave it a moment's consideration. The -last Tsar's idea of labour reform was to abolish good vodka, and he lost -his life. The officer class, that forms so large a proportion of Russian -life, never gave the subject five minutes' consideration. There is not a -single general labour law upon the statute book of Russia, and the -horror of it is that those who have hitherto pretended to lead the -Russian workman refuse to demand laws to protect their labour. They -believe that "law" is the last thing that a workman robbed of the most -elemental rights should think about; that the only way for a workman to -obtain rights is to abolish all "law." And this they have done with a -vengeance! The professional Russian labour leader is an anarchist and -nothing else, and in Bolshevism he has given a glimpse of his policy in -practice. - -This, then, was the problem with which we had to deal, and with only a -few weeks at our disposal. To the Russian workman it was a social -question; to us it was both social and military. Finally, General Knox -asked me to undertake a pacific propaganda along the railway to see if -it were possible to persuade the workmen to keep at work and give the -best service possible to their country to secure the restoration of -order. I came to the conclusion that if anything could be done to give a -more staple and practical outlook to the Russian labour mind it was well -worth trying to accomplish it. - -At the outset I was faced with the difficulty of not being in a position -to offer anything definite to the workmen in return for their -willingness to assist the combatant branch of the Russian service in its -new crusade against anarchy. With nothing to offer it seemed hopeless to -ask for so much. The only man who could pledge the Government was the -Supreme Governor himself, so I wrote to him as follows: - - -[Copy.] - -OMSK, SIBERIA. - -_4th February_, 1919. - -To His High Excellency, Admiral Koltchak, Supreme Governor. - -Sir,--I have been requested by Major-General Knox, Chief of the British -Military Mission, Siberia, to undertake a tour of the railway works -along the Siberian Railway to address the workmen, and appeal to them -as a British Labour representative to give their best service to the -Russian State during the present and coming military operations, and to -join no strike movement, or do anything to hamper the transport of men -and supplies until the military operations against the enemy are -completed. - -I have pointed out to General Knox that, while I am quite willing to -undertake this mission to the railway workmen, I fear it will be quite -useless unless I can promise, on behalf of the Russian Government, some -improvement in their condition. - -1. For instance, I am informed that some of the railway and other -Government workmen have not received any wages upon which to keep -themselves and their families, for in some cases many weeks, and in -other cases months. If this is true, it is impossible to expect workmen -to be satisfied, and the wonder would be that they agree to work as well -as they do. - -It would be necessary for me to be able to promise that such things -would be rectified, and wages paid regularly in future. - -2. There are many things absent in Russia which industrial communities -like England find necessary elements for industrial peace. I admit that -very little constructional reform work can be executed during the -present disturbed condition of the country, but it would help immensely -if I could tell the workmen that I had the authority of the Russian -Government that directly order had been restored, laws for the -protection and help of the Russian workmen and their organisations, on -the lines of those already working so effectively in England, would be -adopted by the Russian Government. - -If I could get something definite from Your High Excellency upon these -points, I believe it would do much to help in the work for the -pacification of the labouring classes of Russia, and greatly strengthen -Your Excellency's hold upon the hearts of the Russian people. - -(Signed) JOHN WARD. - -(_Lt.-Colonel, M.P., C.M.G., Commanding 25th Bn. Middlesex Regiment_.) - - - -[COPY.] - -OMSK. - -_February 5th_, 1919. - -SIR,--In reply to your letter of February 4th, I wish to inform you that -I have learned with the greatest satisfaction that you are willing to -undertake the important mission of addressing the workmen of our -railways and calling them to give their best service to the cause of -Russia in this crucial moment of our national existence. - -The two questions which you have raised in your letter should not be -left without a prompt answer, and I therefore would like to bring to -your knowledge the following:-- - -1. The imperative necessity of orderly and regular payment of wages to -the workmen has been the object of my personal anxiety, and pressing -measures in that direction have been urged by the Government. The -railways being considered by us just as important as the army, you will -understand that everything in its power will be done by our Government -to help the threatening situation in that respect. - -2. As for the second question which you have mentioned in your letter, I -venture to assure you that the Government has already stated in its -official programme that the workmen will find protection and help in the -laws which shall be enforced and have to secure their organisation on -lines similar to those of democratic states in Europe. The Government -has actually a special Department of Labour which is preparing the -future legislation on this question, following the general course of -constructive reform work which I hope to be able to pursue with all the -energy and vigour that the military situation will permit. - -I take this opportunity to renew the expression of my profound -appreciation of the interest you take in our situation and of the -valuable assistance you so generously offer in this most important -matter of pacification of the labouring classes in Russia. - -Yours sincerely, - -(Signed) A. KOLTCHAK. - -Lt.-Colonel JOHN WARD, M.P., C.M.G., -_Commanding 25th Bn. Middlesex Regiment_. - - -This is believed to be the first correspondence ever conducted by the -head of any Russian Government upon a purely labour subject. It shows -that in supporting Admiral Koltchak we had at least this fact to -recommend our policy: that he was a democrat, and anxious that his -country should be in labour matters amongst the first flight of nations. - -The question now to be solved was: What attitude would the anarchist -adopt to this new evangelism? - -I was ready to start on my journey when there began such a blizzard as -is occasionally described in the literature of Polar exploration. For -forty-eight hours from the south came a furious gale. It was not too -cold, only about twenty degrees of actual frost, but with the wind came -blinding snow--not snow such as we see in England, but fine snow, like -white dust. It beat on your face, found its way between the flaps of -your head-covers, where it thawed and ran down your neck and chest and -saturated your underwear. It smashed straight on to your eyeballs, and -froze in cakes to your eyelashes and cheeks, so that in five or ten -minutes you were blind and unable to find your way or move in any -direction. All sentries had to be withdrawn and sent to the nearest -shelter, for it was impossible to locate oneself or see a building till -you blundered up against it. A note in my diary records that "a guard of -eighteen Russians and one officer walked away from their post and have -not been seen since, and six days have passed." Roofs were torn off the -houses, and the strongest buildings rocked in a most alarming manner. -The snow piled itself up against the houses till it covered the windows -on the ground floors and half-way up those of the second. This southern -gale took twenty-four hours in which to blow itself out, and a four -days' calm followed, during which the snow was cleared from the railway -and traffic resumed. The next startler was a message from Irkutsk -stating that a terrific gale was breaking down from the north--a recoil -from the one just described--accompanied with sixty degrees of actual -frost, making it impossible to live out of doors. This storm struck Omsk -on February 20, and no words can describe the complete obliteration of -man and all his works accomplished by such a gale. Nothing can live in -the intense cold created by such a wind. Hence movement and life cease, -and King Frost has the whole field to himself. In a few hours the earth -is levelled; all the indications remaining of the ordinary log dwellings -are a few snow-banks with a row of dark posts from which smoke is -emitted, showing that there are human habitations underneath. By -February 22 this storm had worked itself out and we were able to -proceed. - -The influence of the Koltchak Government could be seen in the orderly -management of affairs connected with the railway and supplies generally. -Not till we reached Kameragh could we observe any sign that there still -remained unextinguished embers of the social inferno through which the -country had passed. At this point the line was guarded by a strong -detachment of troops quartered in trucks on the siding. The officer in -command informed me that an attack by revolters had been made on the -line at this point, who had held up the traffic for some hours, but had -been driven off before any permanent injury was accomplished. The -revolters did not wait after the attack, but set fire to the station and -departed. He suggested that it might be as well to be ready for sniping, -and for worse things, should accident force the train to come to a -standstill between here and Krasnoyarsk. We arrived at the latter place, -however, without incident on February 25. - -Krasnoyarsk is a fairly large town on the River Yenesei. The fine bridge -over the river is the point to which the eyes of the revolters are -constantly directed. The garrison was composed of one company of the -25th Middlesex Regiment, an Italian battalion recently formed from -amongst the Italian prisoners of war and armed by the British, about -four hundred Cossacks, and a company of Czechs belonging to the 10th -Regiment, who arrived that morning. There were numbers of Bolsheviks -inhabiting an elevated part of the town. These met on the old Russian -New Year's Day and passed a resolution that it was necessary to execute -all army officers wherever they might be found isolated from their -comrades. The army chiefs replied by ordering all guns to be trained on -the Bolshevik part of the town and one round of shell from each of the -eight guns to be planted in the Bolshevik quarters for every officer -murdered. No officers had been murdered up to that time. A party of -Serbians who had been armed to assist in protecting the inhabitants were -caught selling arms and ammunition to the Bolsheviks; they were -surrounded in the middle of the night and disarmed, one Cossack being -killed. The 25th were "standing to" during this operation in case their -assistance was required. - -We started for Irkutsk on the 25th, having been warned that the road to -Kansk was practically dominated by the revolters. About 8 P.M. we -arrived at the headquarters of General Affinasiaff, who came into my car -and gave a minute description of the situation. The enemy forces -numbered about 8,000, and those of the Russian Government about 3,000. -For about one hundred versts the Russian forces, in small detachments, -were allowing themselves to be pinned to the railway. - -It was very interesting to hear a clear statement as to the cause of -the revolt and to find that the chief point of the grievances set forth -in the revolters' own proclamations. In great part these opponents of -the Government consist of rich peasants, who already possessing land -which in many cases was equal in extent to the County of Rutland, had in -1917, under the order of Lenin and Trotsky, taken forcible possession of -the furniture, horses, farmhouses, carts, carriages, land, etc., of the -big landholders, who with their families had been massacred by these -same rich peasants. - -The next important element among the revolters were the escaped -prisoners of the old regime, who, being released by the Bolsheviks, had -taken to the forest to avoid recapture--probably the wildest and most -savage set of men in the world. They were illicitly fed and protected by -the aforementioned wealthy peasants with a view, firstly, to buy off -their hostility to themselves, and, secondly, to secure their help to -resist the civil officers of the new Government who were appointed to -inquire into the methods by which these wealthy peasants became -possessed of their dead neighbours' lands and properties; thirdly, to -enable these wealthy peasants to resist the payment of taxes, not only -those that were in arrears, but any that would become due in the future. -This was the point dealt with in their proclamation, wherein it was -stated that inasmuch as it was the people who lived in the towns that -forced the revolution, therefore it was unjust to ask the peasants to -pay for the damage done by those in the towns; further, that it was the -people in the towns who kept on fighting one another, and until they -had finished their quarrelling the peasants would not pay any taxes or -do anything to help the Government; fourthly, this unholy partnership -enabled the wealthy peasants to resist the mobilisation ordered by the -Koltchak Government for the same reasons. - -As I have already pointed out, every minor Government and general, -including General Denikin, made haste to show their submission to Omsk -when Admiral Koltchak assumed authority, the only exception being -Colonel Semianoff. He, it was known, was accepting a regular subsidy -from the Japanese to enable them to resist the extension of the -admiral's power towards Vladivostok, and it was under their instructions -and protection Semianoff refused to recognise the authority of the Omsk -Government and issued insolent manifestos against the Supreme Governor. -The peasants inhabiting the western side of the Baikal seized upon this -fact and said in their proclamations that inasmuch as Colonel Semianoff -had refused to allow Koltchak's orders to operate on the east side, and -was supported therein by one of the Allies, there was every reason why -they should do the same on the west side of the lake. It shows what a -tremendous influence Japan had either to create order or to make order -impossible. She and Semianoff between them provided these revolters with -just the argument they needed. By so acting Japan created and extended -the area of anarchy and made the task of her Allies and Koltchak more -difficult than it might otherwise have been. - -This may not be a very logical position for the peasants to have taken -up, but anyone who knows anything about Russia will see that it fitted -their psychology to a fraction. These people are more ignorant than our -worst educated agricultural labourers. They own and live on huge tracts -of land, in most cases as large as a great English estate. Their method -of living is many stages below that of our landless farm labourer. Their -ignorance is colossal, their cupidity and cunning the envy of the -Armenians, who openly confess that in a bargain the Russian peasant -beats the Jew to a frazzle. The order of the Soviet Government to the -peasants to take possession of the landowners' estates and property was -the trump card which Lenin and Trotsky played to secure immunity in the -provinces while they massacred and robbed the property owners in the -towns. These men, who are the natural enemies of all political progress -and social reform, and who should have exercised a steadying effect upon -the empty idealism of the professional classes, were too busy robbing -their neighbours to be able to exert any influence upon the major events -of the revolution. While perfectly willing to use the revolution--whose -principles they abhorred--for their own personal aggrandisement, this -wealthy peasantry are now equally unwilling to render the slightest help -in the restoration of order. - -It was with profound interest that I read these documents, which -entirely exploded the English legend of the landless Russian peasant -pining for a few acres of land. - -We arrived at Irkutsk and proceeded to investigate the situation. When -we passed here four months before it was the centre of Siberian life; -official indolence had, however, again reduced its status to that of a -third- or fourth-rate town. - -I was anxious to know how the new Rumanian Division under French -auspices was progressing. Fourteen thousand rifles that could be ill -afforded from the front had been left here some six weeks previous by -one of our British supply trains. I found that the local Russian -military authorities knew nothing, nor had they ever been consulted -about it. They knew that not more than three thousand Rumanians lived in -the district, and these had mostly embraced the opinions of the -Bolsheviks. I made inquiries through the usual English channels, but -they were equally uninformed. A visit to the Russian railway department -elicited the fact that a French officer had signed the necessary orders -for the trucks containing the rifles to remain at Irkutsk, that three -thousand rifles had so far been unloaded, and that there was a French -proposal to send the remainder to Tomsk, where it was hoped they might -be got rid of amongst some Serbian bands with Bolshevik tendencies. This -may or may not represent all the facts, but it indicates the -unmistakable necessity that English help shall be given only by English -hands. - -Russian officers were beginning to recover their old characteristics, -and nightly filled the entertainment halls and restaurants and led the -gaieties of the town. Very little thought was given to the grim -struggle their half-clad comrades were waging with the forces of anarchy -along the Ural mountains. - -British Consul Nash kindly entertained Colonel and Madame Frank and -myself, and generally helped me in the organisation of this end of my -campaign. He did not think much of my objective, but he helped all the -same. - - - - -CHAPTER XVII - -MY CAMPAIGN - - -I held my first meeting in the repairing shop at Irkutsk at 3 P.M., -March 4. It was a big crowd of working men and women. The Russian women -work on the railways in such employments as carriage and wagon cleaners, -snow and ice shovellers, and even repairing gangs on different sections -of the line have a sprinkling of the fair sex. - -This audience listened to an explanation of the rise of the trade union -movement in England with the greatest attention. The large majority -accepted the proposition I tried to expound, that no question could be -settled by the disputants merely killing each other off; but there were -present about half a dozen members of the International World Workers, -slouch-hatted, unshaven, and exactly true to type as seen at meetings in -East London, Liverpool or Glasgow. These were not workmen employed on -the railway; one kept a barber's shop, one was a teacher, one a Russian -doctor, and one a Russian solicitor; but they were the officials of the -only form of union that exists in Russian Siberia, a revolutionary -circle composed of the very worst elements in the towns, bound together -by one common purpose, the spoliation and assassination of every decent -man, whether bourgeois or workman, who refuses to support a policy of -anarchy. These five or six determined ruffians formed a kind of Blood -Brotherhood, and behind a veil of anonymity issued mandates to, and in -the name of, the Russian workmen, which, backed up by a system of -murderous terrorism, the workmen were powerless to resist. It was quite -a usual thing to find each morning dead men of all classes in the -streets who had been murdered during the night by members of these -circles. There was no system of law or police; every vestige of justice -was uprooted, and these crimes went unpunished. The irony of it was that -these acts were avowedly done in the interest of progress and reform and -in the sacred name of Labour! - -The Irkutsk Circle asked questions which were not calculated to elicit a -single fact connected with labour, either in Russia or England, but were -just the usual clap-trap monkey business, such as: - -"Why should we be satisfied with half, when we have the bourgeoisie down -and can take all?" - -"Why should we allow law to be re-established, which was always used by -the few to rob the many?" - -"Surely it is less unjust to allow the many to continue to rob the few?" - -"In destroying the landlord and capitalist are not the Russian -proletariat merely taking back its own property?" - -"Is it not a fact that the more systematically and effectively we -annihilate the bourgeois and landlord class, and all the institutions -belonging to them, the easier it will be to erect the new order?" - -These are all very subtle and difficult to answer briefly at a meeting -of Russian workmen, not one of whom can read or write. It was wonderful -foresight which placed Madame Frank, the editress of the _Russian Army_, -as correspondent for this labour mission. She fastened on to each -question in turn and gave instance after instance of how the suggestions -they contained had worked out in practice, to the total destruction of -all that was good and honourable in Russia. Then with magnificent play -on the words "the new order" in the last question, she drew a picture of -this _new order_ as exhibited in practice in that part of Russia under -Bolshevik control. The influence of this little lady upon these simple -Russian workmen was really remarkable. It was quite evident that the -workmen would prefer the old regime to the new if Bolshevik tyranny is -the only possible outcome of the new order. - -Our next stop was Imokentievskaya, where the head of the works looked as -though he would have preferred execution rather than take part in a -workmen's meeting. The professionals had been left behind, and the -audience was composed entirely of the railway workers. They presented -many characteristics of the average English workmen and hungrily -received information relating to the methods of the best organised -English trade unions. They had no idea of the things we had done and the -progress we had made in bettering the working conditions of labour -generally. Their professional leaders had disposed of the British -movement by describing our organisation as "bourgeois trade unions," and -always referred to our trade union activities as though we were -organised and internally managed by the capitalist. They were surprised -to learn that we were the only exclusively working-class organisation in -the world; that the officials must have worked at the trade whose -society they managed; that we did not, like themselves, allow doctors, -lawyers, and mere politicians to manage our affairs, but insisted upon -having our trade unions in our own hands. One real old "Russky" -engine-driver asked: "If the English workmen found it so advantageous to -keep their organisations exclusively working-class, why did not the -Germans do the same?" I answered, "When a movement starts wrong it is -very difficult to put it right; that outsiders all over the world -struggle for a place in the trade unions, and if once they get in they -either break themselves or the union rather than get out, and those who -can't get in hang on outside like limpets and refuse to be kicked off; -that the Russian workmen in organising their trade unions must start -right and keep them free of every element except the working class." - -We stopped at Zema, the scene of a sharp encounter with armed strikers a -few months previous. The meeting in the works was a great success. It -was remarkable to find that though in my previous meeting with these -workmen I took the attitude of a military dictator, they showed no -resentment and had rigidly observed the agreement which had been entered -into at the point of the bayonet. They were delighted to find that I, -too, had performed my part of the contract in not forgetting their -interests when opportunity presented itself. - -Nesniodinsk was not on my list, but a special request having been -presented for me to address the workmen there, we made the necessary -arrangements and visited this place on Sunday, March 8. It was perhaps -the largest meeting held up to that point. The official heads had caused -a special platform to be erected in a huge engine-repairing shop, and -themselves took the greatest interest in the whole proceeding. It was a -very harassing business, but if as an outcome the seed of orderly -progress was sown, the effort was entirely worth while. - -Our carriage was fastened to the rear of a slow-moving train going west, -and we did not arrive at Kansk till the evening of the 10th. - -Kansk is the most easterly point of the area of revolt and a fairly -large depot for the railway. Some interesting facts about the revolt -were picked up from the railway officials. The revolt began suddenly on -December 26, at the same time that it broke out in Omsk and Kolumsino, -and at first was aimed at the possession of the railway. The military -guard at Kansk consisted of one officer and fifty men. The officer -posted his sentries at different points some distance away, and the -soldiers who acted as his personal guard awoke to find their -sleeping-place and arms in the possession of half a dozen armed men. The -marauders shouted "Your officer is dead," and ordered the men to lie -still while they removed the rifles. This done, they proceeded to the -quarters of the officer, who, finding his men already disarmed, bolted -without firing a shot. The total strength of the Bolsheviks was fifteen -men, and these fifteen held the station and a town of over five -thousand inhabitants up to ransom for twenty-six hours! At the end of -that time a squadron of Cossacks approached, and the Bolsheviks left, -taking with them about 80,000 roubles belonging to the railway and post -office. During their short stay they committed all sorts of barbarities. -They murdered the railway school-mistress and tortured her husband by -stripping him and pouring cold water over his naked body, finally -driving him out into the snow, where he quickly froze to death. The -charge against their two victims in this case was that they, by their -calling, were teaching the youth of Russia to become young -_bourgeoisie_, instead of leaving all men and women equal as nature -intended. - -This garden of autocracy grows some strange plants. These banditti, -known in England as Bolsheviks, are entrenched not more than 60 versts -distant, protected from Koltchak's vengeance by the deep snows of the -Siberian winter, which make it impossible to operate away from the -railway. - -We held a splendid meeting of the workmen in the enormous workshop, -remarkable for the quiet enthusiasm and the evident hope of better -times. It was quite clear to me that the Russian workmen were tired of -the Revolution. They were promised an Eldorado and realised Hell -instead. They merely wanted to be shown a way out of the social -nightmare. They passed a vote of thanks to me and the English workmen -for whom I spoke. - -We started for Krasnoyarsk on the 12th, and before long found it -necessary to get the machine guns and hospital equipment ready for -instant use. After standing to arms all night we arrived, at midday on -the 13th, at Klukvinah, the Russian Headquarters, and discovered that -the Government forces had driven the enemy back from the railway, and -that the remainder of our journey to Krasnoyarsk would be practically -safe. We arrived about 9.15 P.M. on Wednesday, the 13th. - -Colonel Frank, Madame Frank, myself and the Czech interpreter, Vladimir, -were passing through the station on our return from the town about 12.30 -midnight, when a rather exciting incident occurred. The station -commandant approached Colonel Frank and appealed to him for help to send -home a party of Serbian soldiers who had procured drink without payment -at the point of their swords and revolvers, and had stripped a young -woman passenger and exposed her for their orgies. Other bestial things -were alleged against them, but no one had so far dared to interfere to -restore order. After a moment's consideration Colonel Frank decided to -go into the buffet and ask them to go quietly home, and if they refused, -to secure force to arrest and remove them. I naturally followed. - -It was a big stone-floored room with the door at one end and a long bar -at the other. The alleged Serbian soldiers were seated in a cluster on -the right in front of the bar at the far end of the room. Colonel Frank -advanced to them and said, "Brothers, you have had enough to drink, you -are keeping all the attendants from their proper rest; it is time for -you to go home." It was like an electric shock. About a dozen of the -ruffians sprang to their feet hurling every possible Slavonic epithet at -this brave Russian officer who was merely performing a public duty. One -dark-visaged Serb cavalryman drew his sword and tried a lunge at the -colonel across the table, and while the colonel watched this infuriated -aborigine a Serbian officer close behind Frank tore the epaulette from -the colonel's uniform and trampled it underfoot, shouting, "Death to -this officer of the old regime!" - -I picked up the epaulette just as the other Serb, sword in one hand and -revolver in the other, edged round the tables to the centre of the room -for his attack upon my liaison officer. I did not think of drawing my -own weapon, and so far it was man to man. Colonel Frank kept his eye -fixed upon his antagonist, and now advanced towards him, ordering him to -put down his arms and leave the room. But the Serb was out for blood and -made a slash at the _polkovnika's_ head, the full force of which he -evaded by ducking, though the sword severed the chin strap and button of -his cap and carved its way through the thick band before it glanced up -off the skull, helped by his right hand, which had been raised to turn -the blow. At the same instant Colonel Frank fired point blank at the -man's face; the bullet entered the open mouth and came out of the cheek, -which merely infuriated the man more. Up to this moment the man had only -used his sword, but now he began to raise his revolver. Before he could -raise it hip high, however, the colonel shot him through the heart. -Though the revolver dropped from his helpless hand, he crouched for one -instant and sprang, clutching at the colonel's face, while four or five -of his fellow Serbs attacked the colonel from behind. The foremost of -these ruffians, a Serbian officer, fired at the back of the colonel's -head and missed, but his second shot struck Colonel Frank on the left -temple at the moment his real assailant had made his death spring, and -down they both went, apparently dead, the Serbian on top. The other -Serbs sprang forward to finish the Russian officer with the usual ugly -dagger which Serbian robbers always carry. The body of the dead Serb, -however, formed a complete shield, and this, coupled with the fact that -we all thought the colonel dead, saved him from mutilation. - -I was not quite an idle spectator, but the fact that at the critical -moment I discovered I had no weapon except for my cane reduced me to -helplessness so far as dealing with this gang of murderers was -concerned. Directly the fight began every Russian, including the armed -militiaman who was supposed to keep order at the station, bolted from -the room, leaving the women and children to look after themselves. -Madame Frank went to the assistance of her husband and covered him as -only a woman can, and as she grasped her husband's revolver the Serbs -slunk back a pace, while I lifted his head and signed to the Serb -officer who had fired at the colonel from behind to lift the dead Serb -off the colonel's body. This he did and then proposed to the band -surrounding us that they should kill us all three. Their knives -glistened and a small automatic revolver was making a bee line for me, -when a voice like the growl of a bear came from the direction of the -door. The whole band instantly put up their weapons. I had stood up to -receive my fate, and over the heads of our would-be murderers I saw a -tall dark-bearded stage villain in a long black overcoat which reached -to the floor, stalk across to the group. He looked at the body of the -dead Serb and then at the prostrate Russian officer who at that instant -began to show signs of returning consciousness. "Ah! Oh! Russky -polkovnik," he roared, drawing his revolver. "Our dead brother demands -blood." - -I could not stand and see a wounded friend murdered before my eyes, not -even in this land of blood. I stepped over both bodies and placed myself -between this monster and his victim. I raised both hands and pushed him -back, saying, "I am Anglisky polkovnik, and will not allow you to murder -the wounded Russian officer." He answered that he was "Serbian -polkovnik," and I said "Come into the other room," and by strategy got -him away. His friends, however, told him something which sent him back -quickly to finish his job, but as he re-entered the buffet he -encountered about a dozen British and Czech soldiers with fixed -bayonets, and it was not so difficult now to convince him that it was -not quite good form to murder a wounded man. - -We carried the Russian colonel to the British hospital, and as the -leader of the Serbs had declared a blood feud, extra guards were placed -on my wagon and the hospital. These ruffians were armed from our -supplies under the direction of French officers. Directly the Russian -military authorities began their investigations to bring this band to -justice they, through the Czech commander, received orders from General -Ganin, the French Allied commander, to move to Novo Nikoliosk out of -Russian jurisdiction. - -It is not very clear at present why the French gave their protection to -these and similar disturbing elements in Siberia. Perhaps the reason -will show itself later. - -Krasnoyarsk is a huge railway depot with building and repairing shops -employing about 3,000 workmen. To get at both shifts it was necessary to -hold two meetings, one for the inside and the other for the outside -staff. The first was a very silent, interested crowd, who listened to my -address as though they understood its meaning and purport. The gallant -"Russky" _polkovnika_ with bandaged head and hand translated the first -part, Madame Frank the second. The impression created by this brave -woman, who had herself commanded a company in the trenches before -Kerensky destroyed the army, was very great. There was no mistaking the -effect of her words as these oil-stained workmen raised their _papahas_ -to the message from the English trade unionists which she delivered. - -This town was the centre of international intrigue. There was an Italian -battalion about 1,500 strong, the Czech 12th Regiment of about 200, and -the British Middlesex Regiment, 220. To maintain their prestige the -French were arming the Lett revolters as fast as the Russian General -Affinasiaff could defeat and disarm them. The Italian soldiers were in -very bad favour with the inhabitants and the local Russian civil and -military authorities. Robberies and assaults were of almost daily -occurrence, and at last the authorities made definite official -complaints to the Allied Headquarters and asked that the Italian -soldiers should either be kept under proper discipline or removed from -the country. The main complaint, however, of the Russian officials was -based on the open hostility of the Allied officers led by the senior of -them to everything Russian. - -It is such an easy matter to make friends with the Russian people that -this attitude of her alleged helpers was very saddening. When I landed -at "Vlady" my orders were to remember that we English had come as -friends to help Russia on to her feet, and I always tried to keep that -in mind. I often wondered what instructions could have been given to my -Allied colleagues. - -The next call was at Bogotol, where, under instructions from Consul -Peacock, I inquired into the imprisonment of an Australian subject named -Savinoff. The authorities produced the _dossier_ of his case, which when -translated proved him to be a Bolshevik leader and second in command of -an armed band that had attempted to murder the local authorities. His -trial took place shortly after, with that of Titoff, his chief, who was -one of the Central Committee of the Baltic Fleet who ordered the murder -of hundreds of the naval officers of the old regime. - -The meeting maintained the usual standard of interest, and the chief of -the works, whose face bore traces of the tortures inflicted upon him -under Bolshevik rule, was delighted with the new hope we had brought to -himself and his workmen. - -Our next meeting was at Taiga, and it was quite a great event. A -special platform had been erected in the big workshop, around which -swarmed nearly two thousand workmen. The people looked upon the meeting -as the new birth of Russian life. No meeting had been held for two -years, except the underground gatherings of conspirators. I appealed to -the men to discard disorder and take a hand in the orderly -reconstruction of the new Russian State, in which they were now -guaranteed a place. Madame Frank's translation made a profound -impression upon these toil-worn men and women. It was clear that the -people were tired of the horrors of revolution and yearned for peace and -quiet. - -I here interviewed General Knox, who was on his way to Omsk on important -matters which had been brought to my notice. - -We arrived at Novo Nikoliosk on the morning of the 23rd, and proceeded -to make arrangements for the meeting to be held on the same day. I -visited the various commands, as usual, and held long consultations with -General Zochinko, from whom I gathered much information as to the -situation in this important district. It was interesting to hear some -news of our old friend, the _Voidavoda_ of the Serbian band. He and his -gang had arrived from his excursion to Krasnoyarsk on the day that a -banquet was held by the newly-formed Polish regiment. As chief of his -band he was invited, and delivered an oration of a particularly -patriotic character which had won all Polish hearts. He was in a great -hurry to get away next morning, fearing that we were following behind. -He said nothing about our encounter, and the Russian officials became -suspicious of his anxiety to get away. They brought a squad of soldiers -to examine his trucks, and found an enormous amount of loot from -Krasnoyarsk, as well as contraband goods upon which he had to pay duty -to the amount of 130,000 roubles. Having squeezed this toll out of the -"bounder," they gave him a free way to Ekaterinburg, where things are -very scarce, and where he would be able to sell out at a good figure. - -General Zochinko told us some funny stories about the French Staff's -attempt to form a powerful counter force to Bolshevism from the German -and Austrian war prisoners. In Novo Nikoliosk the Allied Commander, -General Ganin, had released some hundreds of Austrian and German Poles -from the prison camps and formed them into regiments. In his haste to -get these units complete he forgot to inquire into the antecedents of -the officers chosen to command them. So careless, in fact, were the -French that the Russian authorities awoke one morning to find one of -their most dangerous prisoners, a well-known German officer spy, von -Budburg, in full command of this alleged Allied force. Von Budburg had, -like a true patriot, taken care to choose his subordinates from men of -the same type as himself. - -Later on the French Staff became aware of the nature of their handiwork -and sought help and advice from the Russian military authorities about -disarming their new German Legion. A sudden descent on their quarters by -another Polish unit, with some new Russian units standing by to render -help if necessary, ended in these French proteges being disarmed and -got back safely to their prison camp. - -Allied help to Russia is like a jig-saw puzzle, a mystery even to the -man who devised it. A straight-forward recognition of the Omsk -Government would have been an honest hand for honest work, but where -would Allied diplomacy have come in? Diplomacy is only necessary when -there are ulterior objects than mere plain, unambiguous assistance to a -helpless friend. What are these hidden objects? The Allies had better be -cautious how they proceed in the diagnosis and dismemberment of this -great people or they may find themselves on the operating table with -this giant holding the knife. In spite of the Biblical legend I prefer -England to be a pal with Goliath! - -We arrived at Barabinsk on the morning of March 26, and after -arrangements for the meeting were completed, took a walk round the -market. A Russian market is a thing of joy and colour. There are no -buildings: just a huge space in the centre of the town where thousands -of shaggy, ice-covered horses stand each with an ice-covered sledge. The -peasants, men and women, in huge fur coats which reach to the -snow-covered ground, harmonise perfectly with the cattle they control. -Their fur coats form a study in colour--patchwork coats from calfskins -which combine every shade from white to rusty red; goatskins, from long -straight black to white; curly bearskins from black to brown and brown -to polar white; wealthy peasant women, with beautiful red fox furs -hiding neck and face, their eyes glistening through the apertures which -served the same purpose for the first and original tenant. The sledges -contain everything--wheat, oats, potatoes, onions, rough leaf tobacco, -jars of cream, frozen blocks of milk, scores of different types of -frozen fresh-water fish from sturgeon to bream, frozen meats of every -conceivable description, furs--in fact, the finest collection of human -necessities to be found in any one place in the world. Prices were very -high for home produce and simply absurd for foreign or distant -productions. Colonel Frank was in need of a small safety pin (six a -penny at home), and found that the price was seven roubles--14s. 3-1/2d. -old money, and 3s. 6d. at the rate at which the British Army are paid. -Everything else was in proportion. - -A very fine meeting was held in the works, and much good done in -securing the confidence of the workmen in the efforts of the Supreme -Governor, Admiral Koltchak, to create order out of chaos. - -We arrived at Omsk on the morning of the 28th, and on the 29th I gave a -lengthy report to Admiral Koltchak, who expressed his hearty thanks and -impressed upon me the necessity of continuing my journey to the Urals. -He had received from the official heads of departments reports stating -that the effect of my mission had been to improve the general attitude -of the workmen all round. And he was most anxious that this effort to -enlist the workmen's interest in an ordered State should be pushed -forward with vigour. - -A further discussion upon general affairs, especially the policy of the -French command in Siberia, took us through tea. I have absolute -confidence in the character of the admiral, but the pigmies by whom he -is surrounded are so many drags on the wheels of State. There is not one -that I would trust to manage a whelk-stall. They have no idea of the -duty of a statesman. Little pettifogging personal equations and jobs -occupy the whole of their time, except when they are engaged upon the -congenial task of trying to thwart the Supreme Governor. The patriotism -of the front officers and soldiers, and the medieval chivalry of the -Cossack are the only things left upon which to rebuild Russia. This -naturally limits the architectural features of the new edifice, but the -pioneer is always limited to the material at hand. - - - - -CHAPTER XVIII - -OMSK RE-VISITED - - -It is quite interesting to watch the oscillation of the Omsk mind from -one orientation to another. At the time I left for the East the stream -of favour flowed strongly in the English direction. General Knox started -on a tour of Siberia in connection with the formation of the new -Koltchak army; Sir Charles Eliot went to Hong-Kong; General Bowes was -left to deputise for General Knox, and Colonel Robertson for Sir Charles -Eliot. In three short weeks every sign of British influence had -disappeared. The English were nowhere; the favour was shared equally by -France and Japan. - -The Japanese had either learned how to behave themselves towards the -Russians or they had received instructions from home. During the first -three months I was in Siberia their arrogance was simply sublime, but -after the armistice with Germany--upon whose power to defeat the Allies -they banked their all--they were a changed people, so far as outward -appearance and conduct were concerned. They talked about their alliance -with England, their friendship with Russia, their love of France. When -the Japanese try, they can make themselves very agreeable; indeed, so -charming that it is impossible to resist their advances. That was their -attitude then to all except the Chinese, whom they hold in the greatest -contempt, and to the Americans, whom they fear. With a clear field their -new policy made great headway. - -The French methods are quite different. Theirs is a drawing-room attack, -and at this sort of thing the ordinary Britisher cuts but a sorry -figure. Hence the field was also pretty clear for them, and they made -full use of their opportunities. With a judicious word over a cup of tea -an editor who refuses a bribe finds his or her talents a glut on the -market. A joke around a _samovar_ reduces the rank of a particularly -Russophile general. The glorious time they are having reaches its climax -when you hear the polite condolences to the victims uttered in exquisite -French. - -But Colonel Robertson had gone to "Vlady," and his place had been taken -by a typical Britisher in the person of Consul Hodgson, who took a -correct measure of the situation, and in less than forty-eight hours -herded the whole caboose back into their own compounds. It is surprising -that the influence of one virile, definite personality can be so great, -and it proves how necessary it is that in this seemingly endless turmoil -only the best men should be burdened with the responsibility of our -representation. I started on my mission to the Urals with absolute -confidence that, in the absence of General Knox, our interests in Omsk -would not suffer so long as they were in the hands of our senior consul. - -After infinite trouble with Russian official elements, I started on my -western journey on April 5. The mission consisted of Colonel Frank -(liaison officer), Madame Frank (translator), Regt-Sergt.-Major Gordon, -in charge of an escort of twenty-two N.C.O.s and men, with one machine -gun. We were now entering the district behind the Ural front. These -towns had not long been cleared of the Bolsheviks, so that it was -interesting to discover how far their ideas had gained possession of the -minds of the people. The new Russian armies were rapidly pushing -forward. Their progress had been made more general and persistent since -the end of November, 1918, the date on which the Czechs finally refused -to take part in the great Perm offensive. When they read in the English -papers of January, 1919, how the Czech, Italian, French, and Allied -forces had inflicted defeat upon the Bolsheviks at Perm, it caused a -grim smile to pass over the faces of the Russian officers who did the -job. Not a single Czech, Italian, French, or Allied soldier fired a shot -after Admiral Koltchak assumed supreme command. There is one notable -exception. The armoured trains from H.M.S. _Suffolk_, under the command -of Captain Wolfe Murray, continued to fight along the Ufa front well -into January, 1919. Only the intense cold and the necessity of -recoupment and re-equipment caused them to retire to Omsk. The British -Navy fighting on the Urals was the only reminder the Russian soldier had -that the Allies of his country had not entirely deserted her. - -We arrived at Tumen on April 7, and held a fine meeting of the workmen, -who seemed quite pleased to hear that the Bolsheviks were not likely to -return. These workmen looked upon the Bolshevik rule as on some horrible -nightmare. They cared for little else so long as you could assure them -on this point. So ghastly was the dream from which they had awakened -compared with the flowery promises held out to them that I readily -believe "Ivan the Terrible" would have been received at that moment as a -saviour. This was a dangerous feeling which I tried my best to combat, -for the excesses of the Bolshevik regime have prepared the way--and were -deliberately intended so to do--for a return to absolutism. - -We arrived at Ekaterinburg at the same time as General Knox arrived from -Chilliyabinsk. His first words were congratulations on my C.B., news of -which had just arrived. I visited Consul Preston, and read the evidence -he and his French colleague had collected relative to Bolshevik outrages -on the workmen of the district. It was too sad to think about. This was -the place where the Tsar and his family were imprisoned and murdered. Of -them it could be fairly alleged that they were responsible for the -crimes of the old regime; but what crimes have the poor workmen and -peasants committed that the most fiendish cruelty should be reserved for -them? I give it up! Perhaps there is some reason or justification; all I -can say is I have not heard it, neither can I imagine what it can be. - -I held a meeting of railway workmen and officials, and was surprised at -the attention and earnestness of the audience. They hungrily devoured -every scrap of information as to our English trade union organisation -and work, and requested that a further meeting should be held next day -in a great carriage works in the centre of the town. This proved to be -one of the most remarkable gatherings I have ever attended. A fine -platform had been erected at one end of the main workshop. A sea of -faces under huge multi-coloured _papahas_ spread over the floor, while -every carriage was covered with human ants; even the beams of the -building carried its human freight. Clearly it seemed to me that the -resurrection of Russia had begun; the destruction of Russia began from -the head, its re-birth is from the ground. - - - - -CHAPTER XIX - -IN EUROPEAN RUSSIA - - -Nevanisk is situated just over the European boundary of the Urals. -Before the Bolshevik came it was a great iron centre, one firm alone -employing three thousand workmen. When I arrived there the various works -were practically derelict and its vast collection of machinery idle. The -streets were deserted, and it was estimated that half of its inhabitants -had been destroyed. It was, and now it is not. The few remaining -inhabitants were valiantly pulling themselves together, and if order and -some sort of law could be established, they were confident that they -could rebuild their life again. We talked to them and encouraged them to -continue their struggle against the blight that had defiled their homes -and their country. Their hopes seemed to revive from our assurance of -English working-class sympathy. I am pleased they did not know that we -had some people mad enough to wish to inflict similar wounds upon our -own country. - -A pound of sugar cost thirty-five roubles, a pair of 3s. 11d. goloshes -two hundred and fifty roubles, one pound of bread seven roubles. These -were the things we wished to buy, and so made the discovery of their -price; we bought bread only, as the thing we could not do without. -Typhus was raging in almost every house. General Knox was inoculated, -but I decided to run the risk. Doctors had largely disappeared, owing to -the hatred of everybody with a bourgeois education. - -I wonder what sort of jokes or fun G.B.S. could make out of it. There -_is_ fun in it somewhere. The contrast between the original idea of the -revolution and the outcome of those ideas are so grotesque in their -realisation that it looks as though some hidden power were indulging in -a Mephistophelian laugh at the expense of mankind. - -We next arrived at Taighill, where the same effects had been produced, -though on a smaller scale. It was Palm Sunday, and the great bell of the -cathedral was booming through the surrounding pine forest calling the -faithful to prayer. In the square of the town near by a statue of -Alexander II lay in the mud, having been thrown down by the -revolutionaries. Quite near a white figure of a woman, intended to -represent the Enthronement of Liberty, had been hurled from its recently -constructed base, and formed the roadside seat of five or six of the -raggedest starvelings to be found in the world. An inscription on -Alexander's statue states that it was raised to commemorate his -emancipation of the peasants from serfdom. The Bolsheviks had not time -to write _their_ inscription; but it did not matter--the empty houses -and deserted streets were quite enough. By means of much elbow labour -they had smoothed out the inscription on the statue of the Tsar -Liberator and for the time made all things equal again. - -The meeting at Taighill was a repetition of the others, and we passed -on to Kushva. This place had been badly mauled. The Bolshevik Commissar -was evidently an anarchist pure and simple. All the hatred of class and -creed which had generated under the Romanoffs found expression in this -man's deeds. The amount of venom which he put into his administration -and work was worthy of his cause. The effect of his policy, however, -produced results exactly opposite to those he hoped for. The first -evidence of his zeal lay upon the snow in front of the railway office. A -huge steel safe with the door wrenched off and the contents missing -indicated the strength of his principles. The official who had lost the -key was thrown into the well near by to stimulate the memory of other -safe-owners; but this official was not alone in his glory, for several -railway workmen who refused to help rob this identical safe found a -watery grave with their superior. Altogether over seventy people met -their death in this well, workmen, _bourgeoisie_--all in one holocaust. -But the majority were of no class; their only offence seemed to be that -they had called themselves Social Revolutionaries. They have been the -subject of the most bitter hatred by the Bolshevik leaders. The -Bolshevik contention is that for men or women to call themselves -Socialists, and then to hesitate to take a hand in the complete -extermination of the bourgeois ruling classes, now there is a chance of -doing so in Russia, is to act the part of poltroon and traitor to the -cause. The "treachery" is all the greater if the objector is a workman -or a workwoman. - -The Bolsheviks are quite honest about their purpose--the transfer of -power and property by murder and robbery from the _bourgeoisie_ to the -proletariat. If a member of the proletariat is so mad that he refuses or -hesitates to act his part in this scheme, then those who have been -called by the force of events to assume a dictatorship on his behalf are -entitled to destroy him as an unconscious enemy to himself and his -class. In the same way no mercy can be shown to the Social -Revolutionaries who, while professing allegiance to definite proletarian -domination, shrink from definite action now that the time for action has -arrived. - -The Bolshevik Commissar of Kushva, acting on this principle, succeeded -in a short time in raising a formidable opposition amongst the workmen -in the surrounding districts. When the local school-mistress, a girl of -seventeen, found a temporary grave in this sort of Black Hole of -Calcutta the wells of Kushva and Taighill became a dreadful portent to -the simple Russian _mujik_. - -The opposition began at the big Watkin Works, where over six thousand -men were employed. Though possessing no military organisation, the -workmen decided to resist by force the entrance of the Bolshevik Terror -into their midst. With the help of several young engineers they managed -to regiment themselves into some kind of military order. They selected -with great skill the strategic positions for fortifications, and held -the whole district against the repeated attacks of the enemy. Once the -Bolshevik line of the Urals west of Ekaterinburg struck from north to -south, from Kunghure to the Caspian, as the crow flies, for three -thousand versts, except for one great loop enclosing the Watkin Works. -But in November, 1918, the Bolshevik line swept forward, submerging -these valiant workmen warriors. Admiral Koltchak's Chief of Staff -naturally concluded that the workmen had given up the struggle and had -made terms with their hated enemy. - -This surge forward of the Bolsheviks had been greatly assisted by the -unfortunate defection of the Czech forces, who had left the front at the -suggestion of their local National Council. General Gaida had thrown up -his Czech commission, and had been given command of the right wing of -the new Russian army. The admiral proceeded at once to put his new army -to the test by an attempt to recover the lost ground and, if possible, -save the remnants of the Watkin workmen. Everybody now knows how, in a -temperature of over "60 below," these recently mobilised Siberian -recruits re-established the fighting fame of the Russian soldier by -sweeping the Terrorist forces from their positions and entirely -destroying them at Perm. Imagine General Galitzin's surprise when the -advance began to find these Watkin workmen still holding their district -and rendering valuable help to their relieving comrades! The Kushva -Soviet Commissar had built better than he knew. - -This district is remarkable for the valuable and extensive deposits of -iron and sulphur, which seem inexhaustible. One huge hill has a store of -about 800,000,000,000 tons, almost untapped except for uncovering work -necessary to estimate its capacity. - -The Revolution in Russia may alter a few things, but it can scarcely -effect much change in the character of its people. This iron mountain is -an illustration of the mixture of mediaevalism and modernism to be found -in Russia's industrial development. The summit of the mountain is capped -with an Orthodox Greek church, and desperate efforts have been made to -secure its removal to a less exalted and less valuable site. I was -informed that the mere suggestion proved almost fatal to its -originators, and by so narrow a margin did they escape that the proposal -is not likely to be repeated. I made the suggestion quite innocently, -and produced such a storm that only my foreign ignorance provided me -with a satisfactory excuse. I was asked: "Would you take God from His -place over this work?" One other thing I noticed everywhere. There was -not one important workshop from Irkutsk to Perm without its altar, -candles and all complete, and scarcely a business or Government office -without its ikon facing you the moment you entered. - -I attended the Orthodox Easter celebration at Perm. The whole edifice -was crowded with people of every walk in life. I was not merely an -interested spectator, but one who believes that where man worships he -appeals to the same God no matter by what name He is called. - -I watched this crowd, each holding a long lighted taper, stand for hours -making the sign of the Cross, while the gorgeously-robed priest chanted -the service and made sundry waves with his hands and gave certain -swings with the incense-burner. The responses were made by a group of -men with beautiful, well-trained voices, but the people looked -spiritually starved. Not one took the slightest part in the service -beyond an occasional whispered murmur, nor are they expected to. They -stood outside the pale; there was no place for them. I must say that I -contrasted this isolation of the congregation with the joint act of -worship as performed in our churches, both Free and Anglican. I looked -at these "Christian" men and women and thought of the butchery of -Petrograd and Moscow, the wells of Kushva and Taighill, and the ruthless -disregard of human life by both sides in this brutal internecine strife. -I wondered whether I had stumbled upon at least one of the causes. At -any rate, I did not forget we also had the heroes of the Watkin Works. - -Nadegenska is the extreme north-west point of the Ural system of -railways, and is famous because of its great privately-owned steelworks. -These works were originated by a poor peasant woman, who developed the -whole district until it has become the most northerly Asiatic industrial -centre in the Russian Empire. The contrast in treatment at these -privately-owned works compared with those owned by the Government is -significant. The Soviet Commissar knew nothing about the business -himself, and appointed Works Commissars, still more ignorant of their -duties, to control the establishment. The result was that production -fell to such a point that the experts refused to work under such -incompetents and gradually escaped to other outlandish districts. The -manager stuck to his post during the battle of Perm, and by a judicious -distribution among the Bolshevik Commissars of the surplus roubles of -the Tsar remaining in his possession got them out of the works without -damage. This was an unheard-of situation, for nowhere else have the -Soviet Commissars left anything they could destroy. - -It was interesting to notice that nearly the whole of the machinery in -these works was either of German or American make, the latter always -predominating; there was some English and some Belgian, about an equal -amount of each. I heard a curious statement at Kushva to the effect that -the German firms were always prepared to build and fit out a big works, -and run it for one year, without asking for a penny. Of course they -always first carefully examined the possibilities of the locality, but -the managers assured me that it was rare for German machinery to be -equal, either for use or wear and tear, to the English, nor was it as -cheap; but they could always get long credit from German firms, and that -was most important in developing new enterprises. - -We set off for Perm, with a stop on our way at the Vackneah Turansky -Works. These works employed from four to five thousand men, doing -everything from smelting to the making of engines, carriages, shells, -guns, etc., and were the best equipped workshops I saw in the Urals. The -only complaint was lack of orders. The old regime did everything--nearly -all this great mineral district was developed under the personal care of -the Tsars. The Bolsheviks have destroyed the State control of these -establishments, and already the _bourgeoisie_ are casting hungry eyes -upon this great industry and the Omsk Ministers are rubbing hands over -the loot they hope to collect during this transfer. How vain the hopes -of those who looked to the Revolution to develop public control of all -natural resources! Already the State lands are parcelled out amongst the -wealthy peasants, who as a result of this robbery will establish a great -landed aristocracy, and, if I do not misread the signs, a similar fate -is about to overtake the great State industries with the creation of an -aristocracy of wealth. - -At Turansky we picked up Sergeant Coleman, of the Durham Light Infantry, -the only Englishman who weathered the journey from Archangel with a -party of Russians who had started from the north to try and get into -direct touch with the Russian Army. They had made a circuitous route and -avoided the districts held by the Bolshevik forces, and therefore had -nothing of interest to report to us. The whole party, under a Russian -officer in English uniform, were attached to my train and taken to Perm, -where instructions awaited them to proceed at once to Omsk. - -While examining the damage done during the street fighting at Perm we -encountered a mob of the Red Guard who had marched over their own lines -at Glashoff and surrendered to General Gaida. They were drawn up four -deep in the market-place for a roll call. I studied their faces and -general appearance, and came to the conclusion that if the progress of -the world depended upon such as these the world was in a very bad way. -They were Kirghis, Mongols, Tartars, Chinese, mixed with a fair -sprinkling of European-Russian peasants, workmen and others mostly of -the lowest type, but with just enough of the "old soldier" element to -make them formidable. A strange idea struck me that I would like to -speak to these men. The proposition, made almost in jest, was taken up -seriously by my liaison officer, Colonel Frank, who interviewed the -commandant of the station, Colonel Nikolioff, upon the subject. He at -first took up a hostile attitude, but when he gathered the substance of -my proposed address he consented, and arranged the meeting at the camp -for 6 P.M. the following evening, April 22. Of all the meetings it has -been my privilege to hold, this was the most unique. The Bolshevik -soldiers stood to attention and listened to me with great interest. One -or two were sailors, and some others could understand a little English, -as could be seen by the way they conveyed in whispers the points of the -speech to their neighbours. Madame Frank translated, and in beautiful -Russian drove home each point. Hers was a magnificent performance. As -she repeated my word-picture of their untilled fields, destroyed homes, -outraged women, and murdered children, not the ravages of an alien -enemy, but the work of their own hands, Russian against Russian, tears -trickled down their war-scarred faces. Clearly these men felt they had -been deceived, and would willingly endeavour to rectify the injuries of -the past. Some volunteered their services at once to help their Mother -Country to recover from the ravages they had made and administer justice -upon those who had led them into madness, but Colonel Nikolioff asked -them to remember that their crimes had been very great, and nothing but -time could heal the wounds and soften the bitterness their conduct had -created. Some asked that it should be remembered that they were not -Bolshevik in principle, but had been forced to become soldiers in the -Red Army, from which they could not desert until their villages were -captured by the Koltchak army, as their whole families, held as hostages -for their good conduct, would have been massacred. This they asserted -had been done in numberless cases where the families were in Bolshevik -hands. - -The value of the rouble in Perm at that time was about one penny. My -officers and men were paid at the rate of 40 roubles to the L1. The -prisoners' camp was about three and a half versts distant, and the -duration of the meeting was one hour and five minutes; the droshky hire -for the journey was 100 roubles per droshky. Everything was in -proportion. For instance, common cigarettes were 1 rouble each. If I had -smoked twenty a day or used them between myself and my numerous official -visitors, half my colonel's pay would have gone. There must surely have -been something wrong in fixing the rate of exchange at Harbin or -"Vlady," 5,000 versts away, and leaving officers at the front in a stage -of poverty not one whit better than the people whose all had been -destroyed by the Revolution. I have no remedy to offer, but it is not -very satisfactory to receive your rouble at 6d. and spend it at 1d. What -is more! If I had been paid in L1 notes or sovereigns, I could have got -something approaching 200 roubles for each at the Perm rate! Wages had -increased under Bolshevik rule, but prices were such that one of the -petitions we had to forward to the Government at Omsk on behalf of the -workmen was that the wages and prices should be the same as under the -old regime. - -On April 24 the ice on the Khama started to move about 5 A.M. It was a -very imposing sight. It moved first as one solid block, carrying boats, -stacks of timber, sledge roads--everything--with it. The point near the -bridge held for some time, until the weight behind forced some part down -and crunched its way through in one irresistible push; the other part -rose over the resistance and rolled like an avalanche over and over, -smashing itself into huge blocks which were forced into a rampart fifty -feet high, when the enormous weight broke the ice platform on which it -was piled, and the whole moved majestically off towards the Volga. Then -one experienced the peculiar illusion of gliding along the river; it was -necessary to plant one's feet far apart to prevent a fall. The Khama -near Perm is over a mile wide, and this method of Nature to herald -spring to these snow- and ice-bound regions lacks nothing so far as -grandeur is concerned. During the next few days millions of tons of -derelict timber passed on its way to the Caspian. The careless Russian -never thinks of hauling his spare stock off the ice until the ice -actually begins to move. He tells you that the proper time for the ice -to move is between May 1 and 5; that if it moves a week earlier it means -good crops, which would balance the loss of the timber, so that he has -no cause to complain. - -It is no part of my business to deal with atrocities such as have -disgraced the proletarian dictatorship of Moscow. Where I could not -avoid them in my narrative of events, I have done so without reference -to the revolting details which everybody so hungrily devours. History -shows that it is not possible to avoid these excesses whenever the -safeguards of civil order are swept away by the passions of the mob. Our -own revolutionaries should remember this before and not after the event. -They should be considered not as a risk but as a certainty when once the -foundations of order are uprooted. At Perm the breaking of the ice -revealed some of the truth, and it formed quite sufficient evidence of -the callous behaviour of the Bolshevik administrators. - -Below a steep bank a few yards from the Terrorist headquarters a small -shed was erected on the ice. It was called a wash-house, and during the -day washing was done there. At night the place, apparently, was, like -the streets, deserted, but as a square hole was cut through the ice, it -was an ideal place for the disposal of bodies, dead or alive. The people -knew that after an inspection of the better-class homes by officers of -the Soviet if there was evidence of valuable loot; the whole family -would quietly disappear, and the valuables were distributed by sale, or -otherwise, amongst the Soviet authorities. If a workman protested -against this violence, he disappeared, too, in the same secret fashion. - -The poor women who used the shed during the day for its legitimate -purpose told from time to time grim stories of blood and evidence of -death struggles on the frozen floor as they began the morning's work. -Several thousand people were missing by the time the Koltchak forces -captured the town. - -The ice in the shelter of the bank began to thaw before the more exposed -part of the river, which enabled the people whose friends and neighbours -were missing to put a rude and ineffective screen below the shed in the -hope of recovering the bodies of some of their friends. I knew about the -shed but not about the screen, until I was informed by Regt. -Sergeant-Major Gordon that he had seen several hundred bodies taken from -the river. The following morning I walked into the crowd of anxious -people who were watching the work. The official in charge told me quite -simply that they had not had a very good morning, for three hours' work -had only produced some forty bodies. I looked at these relics of the new -order; they were of both sexes and belonged to every condition of life, -from the gruff, horny-handed worker to the delicately-nurtured young -girl. A miscellaneous assortment of the goods, among other things, -revolutions are bound to deliver. - -We held a big meeting in the great railway works which created quite a -sensation. The fact that the English were at Perm spread back to Omsk, -and four days later Japanese and French Missions put in an appearance. -If the French came to maintain their prestige it was a pity that they -did not choose a better agent for their purpose. I had been invited to -lunch with a very worthy representative of the town, Mr. Pastrokoff, and -his wife. I arrived to find the good lady in great agitation. A French -officer had called and informed the household that a French Mission had -just arrived composed of three officers; they would require the three -best rooms in the house, the use of the servants and kitchen; that no -furniture must be removed from the three rooms he saw under pain of -punishment, etc. The lady protested and told the French officer that -even the Bolsheviks had not demanded part of her very small house when -made acquainted with the requirements of her family, but the officer had -replied that any inconvenience was outweighed by the great honour -conferred upon her house by the presence of officers of the French Army. -It would not be polite to the glorious French Army to repeat Madame -Pastrokoff's reply. It only shows how stupid it is to send to foreign -countries any but the best men to represent a great and gallant nation. -I naturally reminded Madame that she was a Russian, living in her own -country, under her own Government, and she must report the case to the -Russian authorities, who would doubtless provide accommodation for the -French Mission if necessary. - -The Pastrokoffs, coupled with the vivacious Madame Barbara Pastokova and -her husband, were among the most homely and interesting people it was my -pleasure to meet in the Urals. If you have never been in Russia you know -nothing of hospitality; you only squirm around the fringe of the -subject. The hospitality of our friends at Perm was truly Russian, and -I was sorry when we had to leave. M. Pastrokoff told me of the following -incident of the early relief of Perm from the Terrorist. - -General Pepelaieff's army was stretched along the railway from Perm -towards Vatka, the junction of the Archangel Railway. The temperature -was over "60 below," the men were without clothes, thousands had died -from exposure, and other thousands were in a ghastly condition from -frost-bite. There was little or no hospital accommodation, and the Omsk -Ministers were deaf to all appeals for help, they being more concerned -as to how they could shake off the Supreme Governor's control than how -best to perform their duty. In the early days of February the feeding of -the army became a pressing problem, and still the Omsk Ministers -remained silent. On February 10 Pastrokoff received an imperative order -to appear at General Hepoff's office. At 11 A.M. he arrived to find nine -of the wealthiest citizens of Perm already collected. Looking out of the -windows they saw a full company of Siberian Rifles surround the building -with fixed bayonets. The general entered the room and sat at his table, -they remained standing. Looking at, and _through_, each one separately, -he delivered this cryptic speech: "Gentlemen, I have brought you here to -tell you that out on the railway between you and your enemies lie the -remains of our brave army! They have little clothes, but plenty of wood, -so their fires may prevent their bodies from being frozen, but ten days -from now there will be no food, and unless food can be secured, nothing -can prevent their dispersal or starvation. I have determined that they -shall neither disperse nor starve. The Omsk Ministers have forgotten us, -the Supreme Governor has given his orders, but these paltry people who -ought to assist him do nothing. We must do their work ourselves." -Reading down a list of the necessities of his army he said: "You -gentlemen will produce these things within ten days. If on February 21 -these supplies are not to hand, that will be the end of everything so -far as you ten gentlemen are concerned." - -"He allowed no discussion," said M. Pastrokoff, "and if he had we should -have been discussing it now, and the Terrorists would have re-occupied -Perm. I returned home and felt cold in the feet. I had a guard of -fifteen men placed on my person, the others the same. I knew that some -of my companions in distress were muddlers, but sent for my friend ---- -and drew our plans for carrying out the general's orders. We were -greatly helped in this determination by witnessing the execution of a -company and platoon commander of one of our regiments under General -Hepoff's orders for having allowed thirty men of their company to desert -to the enemy during an affair of outposts. We saw we had to deal with a -man who never went back on his word." - -On February 18 the general sent his aide-de-camp to inform the ten that -it would be necessary for them to put their affairs in order as they -would be taken to the front for execution, so that the starving soldiers -might know their immediate chiefs were not responsible for the condition -of the army. M. Pastrokoff was able to prove the things were on the -way, and only the disorganised condition of the railway made it -necessary to ask for a few days' grace. The general granted four days, -at the end of which the goods were delivered as per instructions. "What -did the general then do?" I asked. "When his soldiers were fed he burst -into my house and kissed me, and would have gone on his knees if I would -have allowed him. He has been here several times since, and we have -become great friends. He is a true Russian!" added Pastrokoff proudly. - -We returned to Ekaterinburg on April 29, and were surprised to find that -General Knox and the Headquarters Staff had removed from Omsk and taken -up position there. The Hampshires were about to move up; barrack and -other accommodation had already been secured. The first echelon arrived -the following morning. An Anglo-Russian brigade of infantry was in -course of formation and seemed likely to prove a great success. It -offered employment for the numerous officers and N.C.O.s who had arrived -and for whom no proper place for work had so far been provided. It was -truly a stroke of genius for our War Office to flood us with officers -and men as instructors for the new Russian army, scarcely one of whom -could speak a word of Russian! I feel sure the Russians and ourselves -will get on well together, we are so much alike. Omsk and Whitehall are -true to type; they each first exhaust the possibility of error, and when -no wrong course is left, the right road becomes quite easy. The only -difference is in the motive. Ours is mostly because social influence is -always on the side of educated mediocrity, and theirs because self, -coupled with corruption, is their natural incentive to all exertion. We -have a different standard; all our theories of Government preclude the -possibility of hidden personal advantage in the transaction of State -business. The Russian view is that no competent official could be -expected to conduct business transactions for the State unless he -personally gains some advantage. If an official neglected a private -opportunity so obvious, it would justify the suspicion that his scruples -would make him unequal to the proper protection of the State. In other -words, the official who is poor at the end of a decent term of office -never should have been trusted with the interests of the community. It -is strange to hear them catalogue the proved cases of corruption amongst -officials of other countries. They never forget a case of this kind no -matter in which country it occurred. They argue that they are no worse -than others, forgetting that these exceptions only prove the rule, -whereas in Russia the honest official is rather the exception. After -all, public opinion decides the standard of conduct adopted by a -country. Morals change with time, also with countries and peoples. A -harem would be a nuisance in London, but stands as a sign of Allah's -blessing in Constantinople. - -I returned to Omsk on May 3 to find that the snow and ice had given -place to a storm of dust which crept through every crevice of one's -habitation and flavoured everything with dirt and grit. It was, if -anything, worse than a sandstorm in the Sudan. The Sudan type is fairly -clean, but this Omsk variety is a cloud of atomic filth which carries -with it every known quality of pollution and several that are quite -unknown. I don't remember being able to smell a Sudan storm, but this -monstrous production stank worse than a by-election missile. The service -of a British soldier on these special trips is not exactly a sinecure. -The people at home who pay can be sure their money is well earned before -Tommy gets it. The south wind sweeps up from Mongolia and Turkestan, and -while it brings warmth to our frozen bones its blessing becomes a bit -mixed with other things before we get them. I only mention it, not to -complain! We never do in war-time! - -A special dispatch from London arrived on May 5 which delayed my -starting for Vladivostok. If the object at which it aimed could have -been secured it would have been a beam of light upon a very sombre -subject. I had a lengthy conference with General Knox upon my tour to -the Urals and the facts gathered as to the mineral and productive -resources of the districts through which I had passed. The London -dispatch also occupied our attention, and as the Supreme Governor had -fixed the next day for my final farewell interview with himself, the -possible course of our conversation was also considered. It was arranged -that my journey to "Vlady" should be delayed until the matter referred -to in the dispatch had been dealt with in accordance with instructions. - -My audience with the Supreme Governor was very cordial, and he -especially thanked me for the help I had rendered himself and Russia in -the dark days of November and December, 1918. He expressed the opinion -that my mission to the workmen had been a great success, and was the -first piece of definite work so far accomplished in the reconstruction -and resurrection of the Russian State. He pointed out that his own -labours were devoted to the one object of restoring order to the -country, but that this work could only be performed by a powerful army. -England had rendered him all help possible, but still the military -problem engrossed all his thoughts and precluded his taking active part -in the work of social reconstruction. He thought his Ministers and other -assistants would have been able to help in it, but he had been sadly -mistaken, and his experience had taught him that it was necessary to -learn everything himself and therefore he was all the more grateful for -my assistance. We took tea together, during which he informed me that he -was about to start for the front to arrange for a further push along the -northern line towards Vatka in the direction of Petrograd, with the -chance of forming a junction with the forces at Archangel, and if -General Knox would consent he wished me to remain at Omsk until he -returned. General Knox placed the London dispatch before the Supreme -Governor, and I remained to assist in settling its details. - -On May 7 the Chief of the British Mission, Major-General Knox, asked me -to assist him in drafting the reply to the London dispatch. The heads -having been agreed to by the Supreme Governor, it was necessary to -consult with the Minister who assisted him with his foreign affairs. He -is distinguished by a sort of cleverness which borders very closely to -cunning. In a few years he will probably make a very able diplomat of -the old type, but whether that is the sort of equipment which will serve -under the new order, now in the throes of birth, remains to be seen. He -is Republican, having lived long in America, and honestly believes that -Russia must be directed in her orientation towards Republican countries -rather than to the evidently permanently and exclusively Monarchist -country, England. There I think I know more of his Russian -fellow-countrymen and better understand their character and sentiments -than he! But he is very young, very able, and his name is Sukin, and he -has time to learn. - -In accordance with the wish of the Governor, the dispatch and draft were -shown to him, and a few hours later, while dining with a Cossack -general, I was asked if I knew anything about a dispatch from London -that was making a great stir amongst the members of the French and -American Missions. I answered that being a regimental officer, not -attached to the English Mission, dispatches were not my business, though -as a rule if important dispatches arrived, I heard about them; I had -heard of no dispatch which could upset the French or American Missions. - -I informed Consul Hodgson, who was representing the High Commissioner in -his absence, of this, and it was decided to hurry on with the -construction and completion of the draft. It was completed in its final -shape by General Knox and myself in his train at the Omsk Vatka in -front of the Russian Staffka, 9.30 A.M., May 9, 1919. - -Much of this Russian "Bill of Rights" had to be pushed down the throats -of the Russian official elements. The Supreme Governor never wavered -over a single point; his large democratic sympathies were satisfied by -his signature to what he hoped would be the foundation of Russian -liberty. How fortunate for Russia that she had such a man to call upon -in her hour of need! No matter what the final result of his efforts may -be, whether success or defeat, his was the mind and personality that -enabled this great people to bridge what looked like an impossible gulf -and turn their faces to the sun. - -How fortunate it was that at this critical hour in Russian history -England was represented by Major-General Knox! I had never heard of him -till I went to Siberia, yet in him we have a man combining the courage -of the soldier with the higher qualities of a statesman, ready made for -the special business in hand. The British Empire doubtless, like Topsy, -"growed"! It is more an exhibition of race luck than genius. The way in -which we occasionally drop the right man in the right place is not an -act of Government so much as a stroke of chance. We make awful bloomers -in these matters sometimes, but in this case our luck stood by us to -some purpose. More than once, when the timidity of the "Politicals" had -almost destroyed Russian faith in our honesty of purpose, the robust -honesty of his personality turned the scale in our favour. Every Russian -trusts him, except those who have forgotten they are Russians. They -hate him. That is the real certificate of his worth. I can quite -understand the fear of some Labour elements at home that our presence in -Siberia may be used by reactionaries to re-establish the old regime. Had -I been at home I might have had the same feeling. But I was there, and -knew that it was our very presence which made that for the moment -impossible. The excesses of the Bolsheviks made the people, both peasant -and workman, hanker after the comparative security of the Tsars. The -reactionary elements would have been only too pleased to see our backs; -our presence was a safeguard against the absolutism for which some of -them scheme. The weariness of the peasantry and workmen with -revolutionary disorder gave the opportunity to reaction to establish -another absolutism which was only restrained by outside influence. -Major-General Knox does not write polished dispatches upon army -movements under his command, but he perhaps performed greater service to -humanity and democracy by his patient and efficient handling on the spot -of one of the great world problems. - - - - -CHAPTER XX - -MAKING AN ATAMAN - - -General Evan Pootenseiff arranged a parade of the 2nd Siberian Cossack -Regiment outside Omsk on May 14 to say "Good-bye" to the "Anglisky -Polkovnika," his officers and soldiers. Needless to say, we were all -there, and it was an occasion that will be remembered by all who had the -honour to be present. Those who look upon the Cossacks as a sort of -untrained irregular cavalry had better revise their ideas at once, for -fear of further future miscalculations. The evolutions of this force in -every branch of cavalry work are simply superb. The Cossack control of -his horse, either singly or in combination, is not approached by any -army in the world. The parade was under the immediate command of the -Assistant Ataman, Colonel Bezovsky, and the wonderful display of -horsemanship was loudly applauded by the English Tommies, who were the -most interested spectators. - -The parade over, the officers adjourned to an extremely artistic Kirghis -tent pitched on a treeless plain, where lunch was served; but the viands -were left untouched until the toast of "His Britannic Majesty" had been -drunk in good Tsaristic vodka. Then it became a real military -fraternisation. Officers inside, soldiers out. No civilian was allowed -to approach within three versts, except the old Kirghis chief who, -dressed in his picturesque native dress, had travelled over fifty versts -to attend the function of making an English Ataman. The band of the -Cossack regiment tried valiantly to enliven the proceedings with music, -but the English marching choruses soon silenced all opposition. Then the -Cossack commander called his men around, and giving time with his -cowhide thong, led them through some of the most weird Cossack war songs -it is possible to imagine. The difference in our mentality was never so -well illustrated as in the songs of the two people. Ours were lively, -happy, and full of frolic and fun; theirs were slow, sad wails, which -can only come from the heart of a long troubled people. The songs of -Ermak Tinothavitch, the conqueror of Siberia, were fierce and martial, -but the strain of tragedy ran through them all. - -Then the Cossacks placed their commander upon two swords and tossed him -while singing the song of Stenkarazin, the robber chief, and at the end -drew their swords and demanded toll, which took the form of five bottles -extra. I was then admitted to the fraternity and presented with the -Ataman's badge, and after due ceremony with a Cossack sword, by the -regiment, admitted to their circle. I went through the sword tossing, -and gained freedom for 100 roubles; and here my narrative of the making -of a Cossack had better end. Sufficient to say I never met a -freer-hearted set of men in my travels round the world than these -dreadful guardians of the Tsars, and if in course of time I get tired of -England, I shall claim my kinship with these freemen of forest and -plain. These men so love liberty that not even the Tsars dared interfere -with their rights. - - - - -CHAPTER XXI - -HOMEWARD BOUND - - -On May 17 Omsk was excluded from the Vatka (station), and by this -indirect means became aware that the Supreme Governor was returning from -the front. The Cossack Guard lined up outside, while detachments of -Russian infantry in English uniform occupied the platform. The Russian -Tommies looked quite smart, and except for their long, narrow, -triangular bayonets, might easily have been mistaken for English troops. -While awaiting the train, General Knox informed me that two of our -proposals, "Women's suffrage" and "Universal education," had been cut -out by the reactionaries. Why are the churches of the world so hostile -to the popular education of the people? The Church is quite prepared to -allow the people to receive educational instruction if controlled by the -priests. It prefers to leave them in ignorance and the easy prey of -Bolshevik charlatanism rather than allow free play for intelligent -thinking. Women's suffrage was opposed by quite a different set of men, -mostly those who make enormous display of deference to drawing-room -ladies, and look upon us Englishmen as wanting in gallantry because we -do not kiss every feminine hand we shake. On the whole I think it is -good to have pushed them ahead so far. Measured by Russian standards, it -amounts to a revolution in ideas of government. The great thing just now -is to fix some point beyond which the pendulum shall not be allowed to -swing towards reaction. The workmen are sick of strife and would gladly -go straight back to the old regime as an easy way of escape from -Bolshevism. This is the danger from which English diplomacy has tried, -and is trying, to guard the Russian people if possible. - -Thus, having finished my work at Omsk, I asked that arrangements might -be made as quickly as possible to transport my escort and myself to -Vladivostok. The arrangements were completed by May 21, when I announced -myself ready to begin the first stage of my journey homeward. The -Supreme Governor surprised me by proposing to visit me in my carriage at -the Vatka to say "Good-bye." At 7 P.M. he came, attended by his -aide-de-camp; he was very gracious in his thanks for my services to the -Russian people. He said my voice, presence and influence had aroused the -better elements to throw off the feeling of despair which had so -universally settled upon them. He did not presume to calculate the good -I had done, though none appreciated it better than himself, since we had -been thrown by circumstances into personal contact with each other. -Without attempting to form an estimate of his character, I considered -his visit and words the act of a gentleman, and as such I appreciated -it. - -I could but recall the last time he visited me in those dark, doubtful -days of November, when I, who had no thought or place in my make-up for -the word "Dictator," suddenly found myself in the presence of him who -had that moment assumed such a position, and what was more serious for -me, found myself forced on my own authority, unaided by one word of -warning or counsel from others, instantly to decide not only my own -attitude but also, to some extent, that of my country to this last act -in the drama of a people grown desperate. Once having given my promise -to help, he never found that help withheld at critical moments later. -The British forces were few, but they were disciplined and knew their -own mind, and this was what every other party, both Russian and Allied, -lacked. Every Allied force had its "Politicals" at hand, and therefore -were powerless for any purpose. The Fates had sent ours to Vladivostok, -5,000 versts east, at the very moment when their presence and general -political policy would have paralysed correct military action. The month -which intervened before they could exert direct influence upon the -situation enabled us to consolidate the new orientation. The greater -part of this time we were "in the air," having cut our own -communications, and no countermanding orders could interrupt or confuse -the nerve centre. At first the "Politicals" were inclined to be angry, -but with such a tower of strength as General Knox in support they soon -came to look upon the proceedings as a _fait accompli_. Later they -confessed that their absence at the supreme moment was the act of a wise -Providence. The very nature of their business (had they been present) -would have created delays and difficulties that might have proved fatal -to success. - -Except for some quaint fetish about the necessity for maintaining the -usual diplomatic forms, there is no necessity for delay in emergencies -of this description. If an ordinarily intelligent Englishman, with a -fair knowledge of English history and a grasp of the traditions and -mentality of his countrymen, cannot carry on, how are people miles away, -with no opportunity to visualise the actual situation, to instruct him? -Diplomatic methods and forms are all right for leisurely negotiations, -but are useless in urgent and dangerous occasions. If my work fails, as -even now it may, I shall be subject to severe criticism; but I shall get -that even if it succeeds, so what does it matter so long as in my own -mind I did the best in the circumstances? - -My journey east was broken at Krasnoyarsk to enable me to interview the -new commander, General Rosanoff, who had taken in hand the suppression -of the revolt of the Lettish peasants north of the railway. South of the -line all hostile elements had been dispersed. The line cut through the -centre of the Bolshevik field of operations. The Czechs guarded the -actual railway, and while they prevented large forces from moving across -it, they took but little trouble to prevent miscreants from tampering -with the rails, as was evidenced by the scores of derailed trains in all -stages of destruction strewn along the track. This naturally involved -great material loss and, what was still worse, a huge toll of innocent -human life. One train, a fast passenger, accounted for two hundred -women and children, besides uncounted men. Fairly large Russian forces -were now placed at General Rosanoff's disposal, and by a wide turning -movement from Krasnoyarsk in a north-easterly direction, and with a -large cavalry force operating towards the north-west from Irkutsk, the -whole gang would, it was hoped, be herded towards the centre, and a few -weeks would probably liquidate the whole disturbance. The Krasnoyarsk -and the Ussurie movements of the Bolsheviks were under the direction of -able officers appointed by the Red Guard Headquarters at Moscow, with -whom they were in constant communication. - -Passing Irkutsk, we again struck the Baikal--looking more glorious than -before. The warm south-west winds had cleared the snow from the western -hills and thawed the ice from that half of the sea. The other half was -still ice-bound. In the morning sunshine the snow-covered mountains in -the east pierced the heavens with the radiance of eternal day. The -disappearance of the sun only adds to their beauty; they alone seem to -know no night. As we travelled round under the shadow of these giants -the temperature fell many degrees below zero, and the cold from the -water penetrated the carriages, necessitating fires and warm furs, in -spite of the June sunshine. - -I had received intimation that it would be of service to the Omsk -Government if I would call upon Colonel Semianoff and use my good -offices and my newly-conferred honour as a Siberian Cossack Ataman to -recall this erring son of Muscovy to the service of the State. I knew -that British pressure had been applied to persuade the Japanese to cease -their financial and moral support--both open and secret--to this -redoubtable opponent of the Russian Government, and it was rumoured that -British wishes had at last been complied with. It was common knowledge -that the illegal floggings, murders, and robberies committed under the -alleged authority of Colonel Semianoff would not have remained -unpunished a day if he had not been under the protection of one of the -most numerously represented Allied forces. Whatever faults may be -alleged against Admiral Koltchak, cruelty or injustice cannot be -included among them. I well remember his fury when it was reported to -him that some eighty workmen had been illegally flogged by Semianoff's -soldiers at Chita. His poor dilapidated reserves were ordered to move at -once to their protection. Semianoff prepared his armoured trains and -troops to receive them, but the same Allied Power which fed, clothed, -and armed his troops kept at bay those who were ordered to avenge the -wrongs of the Russian workmen. - -On another occasion I remember Admiral Koltchak's almost hopeless -despair when some truculent officers had used their weapons and badges -of rank to secure the persons of some Bolshevik prisoners, and -anticipating the decision of the court about to try them, shot them in -cold blood. He at once executed the officers and men who handed them -over, as well as such of those who took part in the conspiracy, even -though they claimed to be merely the avengers of their own murdered -families. Stern, impartial justice is part and parcel of this remarkable -man's character. It was this very trait which made Semianoff and the -Supreme Governor natural enemies. - -The day that I arrived at Chita it was officially announced that -Semianoff had made his submission to the authority of Koltchak, and had -accepted an appointment in the Russian Army. My task therefore changed -its character; the proposed admonishment became a congratulation in a -very frank and friendly half-hour's interview, the colonel returning the -visit to my carriage later. Colonel Semianoff is one of the most -striking personalities I have met in Russia; a man of medium height, -with square broad shoulders, an enormous head, the size of which is -greatly enhanced by the flat, Mongol face, from which gleam two clear, -brilliant eyes that rather belong to an animal than a man. The whole -pose of the man is at first suspicious, alert, determined, like a tiger -ready to spring, to rend and tear, but in repose the change is -remarkable, and with a quiet smile upon the brown face the body relaxes. -Colonel Semianoff is a very pleasant personality. His great physical -strength has caused the Japanese to name him "Samurai," or "Brave Knight -of the Field," and I think that is a good description of his character. -Relentless and brave, kindness nevertheless finds a part in his make-up. -The princes of Mongolia have asked him to become their emperor, and -should he choose this path a whirlwind will pass over the neighbouring -lands. Perhaps underneath he is, after all, a good Russian--time will -tell. If his conversion is real he will add a tower of strength to the -Russian fighting forces. - -At Harbin I heard a full explanation of the reason for the Mongolians -approaching Semianoff to become their emperor. Mongolia previous to the -Revolution was considered as under a loose sort of Russian protection. -Since the break-up of the Russian Empire the Japanese have cast longing -eyes upon this extensive country, which is supposed to belong to both -Russia and China but in reality it belongs to neither. The Japanese have -roamed all over the country during these last two years, and have spent -time and money lavishly in propaganda. They first tried to orientate the -Mongol mind towards a direct connection with themselves, but their -avarice and conceit offend all the people with whom they come into -contact. This direct method of getting control of Mongolia had therefore -to be abandoned in favour of a round-about but more dangerous policy. -Colonel Semianoff is only half Russian, his mother being a Mongolian -woman of high birth. He speaks Mongolian perfectly, and the Mongolians -claim him for their own. Semianoff admitted to me personally that he had -been subsidised all through by Japan. It was the Japanese who called the -Mongolian princes together and prevailed upon them to offer Semianoff -the title of Emperor of Mongolia. He had other fish to fry, however, but -when his other schemes fail, as I think they must, he will be quite -ready to play the Japanese game in Mongolia as faithfully as he did in -Siberia. Semianoff will be the puppet, but Japan will pull the strings; -that at least is their hope and belief. - -About thirty versts west of Manchuli our train was stopped by a red -flag, and a railway workman informed us of a raid upon a homestead by -the side of the railway, the robbers having decamped two hours before -our arrival. The father had two bullets through his chest and one -through the right side of his neck, and had crawled a distance of over a -verst to give information. He was taken up on our train, and we went -forward to the scene of the tragedy. In the small wooden house, covered -with loose feathers, lay the dead body of the mother with her unborn -baby, near by lay a girl of about ten with her head terribly wounded. In -an outhouse was the body of their Chinese boy. My hospital orderly -rendered what aid was possible to the girl, who was carried by Madame -Frank to my carriage for conveyance to the hospital at Manchuli. A -civilian doctor declared both cases hopeless, and the depositions of the -man were taken. Briefly thus: - -When the Bolsheviks first occupied Manchuli a railway workman of -anarchist tendencies was appointed Soviet Commissar of the district. -Afterwards, when the Bolshevik power was destroyed and their forces were -driven off the railway, the Bolshevik bands took to the forest, some -engaging in running contraband over the Chinese frontier, others forming -themselves into bands who not only robbed the isolated peasantry, but -forced young men to join them, and afterwards levied toll upon large -villages and small towns. About three in the morning this Bolshevik -Commissar knocked at the cottage door and asked the father to let him -come in, as he was very tired, having had a long journey with -contraband. Believing him to be alone, the man opened the door. The room -was immediately filled with armed men, who demanded his savings or his -life. The commissar, from his knowledge of such matters, believing his -savings to be in the feather pillow, ripped it open and found 4,600 -roubles. Having collected all the other small articles of value in the -house, these innocent children of the Revolution held consultation on -the necessity of killing everybody who knew them to be Bolsheviks, so -that the crime should be cast upon the Chinese robber gangs who -occasionally raid Russian territory. This important point in the -regeneration of Russia settled, they shot the man in the chest, the -bullet coming out by the shoulder-blade. The wife, begging for the life -of her husband, was bayoneted, and the aroused Chinese workman was -dispatched with a rifle. Then these harmless idealists proceeded to -depart. So far they had not touched the girl, but the father, on -regaining consciousness, heard the closed door open again, saw the -leader of the "comrades" re-enter and pick up a small axe near the fire, -with which he proceeded to smash the head of the child. Nature in its -terrible revolt gave the father the power to raise himself slightly from -the floor in a vain effort to grapple with this representative of the -new regime. The commissar shouted: "What, still alive!" and fired two -more point-blank shots at the prostrate man. - -It was entirely due to the tenacity of the father that the object of the -killing was frustrated and the identification of the scoundrels with the -Bolshevik commanders operating in this neighbourhood completed. I had -no time to pick up the trail and punish the murderers. What sort of -punishment the Tommies would have decided as necessary to fit the crime -is better imagined than described! - -It was June when we passed over the Hinghan range, a series of sand -mountains of great extent which form the breeding-ground for numerous -herds of horses who spread themselves over the slopes and plains and -sometimes endanger the safety of the railway. Snow was falling in -clouds, and banked itself against the rails and telegraphs in a -surprising manner considering the time of the year. The summer of this -wild region lasts about two months--July and August--during which time -the sand becomes hot, and travelling is not comfortable. After crossing -the summit the plains fell gradually away, enabling the trains to move -with great rapidity, and in less than two days we struck Harbin, and -donned our topees and tropical clothes. - -Harbin is the centre of Chinese and Russian political and financial -intrigue. Other races take a fair hand in the business, but the -predominance must be conceded to these two. There is some sort of -national feeling amongst the worst type of Russian speculator, but none -amongst the Chinese. The Harbin Chinaman is perfectly denationalised, -and ought, therefore, according to some standards of political -reckonings, to be the most ideal citizen in the world; but the world who -knows him hopes that for ever he may be exclusively confined to Harbin. -I had a long conversation with General Ghondati, one of the most -level-headed living statesmen of the old regime. All his hopes are -centred on the success of Admiral Koltchak in his efforts to secure -order to enable the National Assembly to consider the question of a -Constitutional Monarchy on England's pattern to be established at -Moscow. If this cannot be, he fears Russia's travail will last longer -and may be fatal to her existence. He was not himself opposed to a -Federal Republic, but was certain that without a head the undisciplined -semi-oriental elements would never accept the abolition of absolutism as -final. The Russian people have it in their bones to obey a leader; their -warlike nature precludes the possibility of their continued loyalty to a -junta, however able. A crown on top, with a parliament to control and -direct, would be the happiest solution of Russia's present difficulties. -He summed his theory up in these words: "A properly elected parliament -to make the law and rule, but there must be a monarch to issue its -orders." - -Though this is the expressed opinion of what the Bolshevik would term -one of the "old regime," it is nevertheless the openly-expressed opinion -of the sensible leaders of every class of Russian society except -two--the Bolsheviks at one end, and the Absolutists at the other. More -than once already these two extremes have come close together to -frustrate the possibility of a compromise on constitutional lines. They -openly declare that, unless power is given to either one or the other, -they would prefer that the present anarchy should continue. It is not -the first time in revolutionary history that the adherents of autocracy -(Royalist and otherwise) have preferred the ruin of their country rather -than lose their own personal power. - -Ghondati is a clear-headed patriot, and I am surprised that his counsel -has not been sought for in this supreme moment of his country's history. -His ideas relating to recognition by the Powers were rather remarkable. -He did not think that any country could give help to Russia without -either asking for conditions or being suspected of doing so. The only -exception was England. The reason England is not suspected is that her -Empire is so vast and varied in character that she has all the raw -material for her trade and all the space she requires for her surplus -population. Her help, unlike that of any other State so far, has been -unselfish and unconditional. Ghondati quite saw that "this fact was -producing a steady and permanent orientation of Russian opinion towards -England, which, if cultivated by British statesmanship, would eventually -give my country everything she required, while those whose help was -always surrounded with conditions would have great difficulty to retain -the advantages they secured only under the pressure of circumstances." - - - - -CHAPTER XXII - -AMERICAN POLICY AND ITS RESULTS - - -At Nikolsk my train was stopped as the No. 4 Post train from Vladivostok -had been wrecked by Bolsheviks, a startling situation considering that -eleven months previously the whole power of Bolshevism had been -destroyed in these maritime provinces. The station commandant was an old -friend, who had given me his own private official carriage at the time -when our little yellow brother had decided to lower the prestige of his -white Ally in Eastern eyes by making British officers travel in -cattle-trucks. He came into my car and began to explain how the -cross-purposes of the American and Japanese forces were producing a -state of uncertainty and disorder as bad, if not worse, than existed -under the Bolshevik regime. Our conversation was cut short by the -receipt of a telegram from the station-master at Kraevesk. It was to the -effect that he was using his own line from his house, because a few -minutes previously a detachment of the Red Guard had entered the station -and, in the presence of the American soldiers who were guarding the -railway, had placed himself and his staff under arrest and taken -possession of the station; that the Reds had sent a message to Shmakovka -ordering all Russian railway officials and staff to leave their posts, -as the Bolshevik army, with the sanction of the American forces, was -about to take over the line. The Red Guard officer in proof of his order -stated "that fifteen American soldiers are now standing in the room from -which I am sending this message." Having issued these orders in the -presence of the Americans, they had removed the telegraph and telephone -apparatus, and the station-master wished to know what he was to do and -whether any help could be sent him. Imagine my utter astonishment at -this message, containing, as it undoubtedly did, evidence of -co-operation and understanding between the Bolshevik forces and one of -our Allies. - -In one of my numerous interviews with Admiral Koltchak at Omsk he had -made some very serious statements regarding the American policy in the -Far East, which he feared would result in reproducing the previous state -of disorder. I assured him that the policy of the Allies was to resist -disorder and support order, and that I could not believe America had -come to Siberia to make his task more difficult, but to help him in -every reasonable way. He agreed that such was the intention of the -American people, but he feared that the American command was being used -for quite other purposes. His officers had informed him that out of -sixty liaison officers and translators with American Headquarters over -fifty were Russian Jews or the relatives of Russian Jews; some had been -exiled from Russia for political and other offences, and had returned as -American citizens, capable of influencing American policy in a direction -contrary to that desired by the American people. I assured him that -this could not be, and that his people might themselves in this matter -be under the influence of a near Eastern neighbour not friendly to -American interference in Eastern affairs, and that under this influence -they might greatly magnify the danger. My words seemed to ease the -admiral's mind, but he regretfully replied that the reports were so -voluminous and categorical in character that he thought I, as a -representative of the people of England, as well as an officer of His -Majesty's Army, ought to be made acquainted with the situation. - -This matter had almost disappeared from my mind, but the message from -the station-master at Kraevesk revived it with the vividness of a sudden -blow. I at once determined to make myself acquainted as far as possible -with the policy of the American commanders, and with this object in view -I interviewed many American officers and soldiers. I found that both -officers and men were most anxious to render all the help possible to -maintain Koltchak's authority and crush disorder in the Far East, and, -as they put it, "justify their presence in Siberia." Many felt that at -the time they were only helping the Bolsheviks to recover their lost -hold upon the people by providing neutral territory for Bolshevik -propaganda; that when they arrived in the country in August, 1918, the -English, Czechs, and Japanese, with the aid of such Russian units as -then existed, had reduced the maritime provinces to order, but that -their own efforts had produced a state of affairs similar to, if not -worse than, those which existed during the actual Bolshevik occupation. -I learnt from these American troops that their officers and officials, -from General Graves downwards, had been in actual correspondence with -Red Guard officers, and that more than one understanding had been -arrived at between them; that for a time the ordinary American soldiers -thought the understanding between the two forces was so general and -friendly in character that no further hostile acts were to be -contemplated between them. It was true that this wrecking of trains and -attacks on the line guarded by American soldiers made things look -serious, but they felt sure that the confidence existing between the -American and Red Guard Headquarters was so well established that these -acts of brigandage could only be due to some misunderstanding. The -Kraevesk affair appeared to be only a symptom of a much wider policy, -and not the foolish act of a negligent subordinate officer. - -Following up my inquiries there fell into my hands a letter, dated May -24, from the American officer (Captain ----) commanding the American -forces at Svagena, addressed to the officer commanding the Red Guard -operating in that district. The American officer addressed the Red Guard -commandant as a recognised officer of equal military standing. The -American officer complained that after a recent fraternisation of the -two forces which had taken place in accordance with previous -arrangements near the "wood mill," on the departure of the Red troops he -received reports that the Red Guard officer had ordered the destruction -of certain machinery at the mill, and had also torn up two sections of -the line at points east and west of the station at Svagena. The American -captain enumerated other accusations against the Red Guard, such as -threats to bayonet certain orderly disposed people who would not join -the Bolshevik army, and warned the Red Commissar that these acts were -contrary to the _agreement_ entered into by the chiefs of the American -and Red forces, and if such acts were repeated he would take steps to -punish those who committed such breaches of _their joint understanding_. - -I think this letter from the American officer at Svagena is positive -proof of some local or general understanding between the American -authorities and the Red army operating in the maritime provinces, and -further, that this understanding had existed for many months; that it -was this understanding which prevented the American forces joining in -the combined Allied expedition to relieve the besieged Russian garrison -in the Suchan district; that under this American-Bolshevik agreement the -small scattered Red Guard bands who were dispersed by the Allies at the -battle of Dukoveskoie in August, have collected together and formed -definite military units. In other words, that the American policy, -unconsciously or otherwise, has produced a state of indecision amongst -the Allies, and unrest and anarchy amongst the population of the -Transbaikal and Ussurie Provinces, which may prove disastrous to the -rapid establishment of order in Russia. - -There are other indications that the presence of the American forces in -Siberia has been used by somebody for purposes not purely American. The -business of the American command is to secure order in those districts -which have been placed under its control by the Council of Allied -Commanders. There is another self-evident and obvious duty, namely, to -shape their conduct in such manner as to create friendly relations with -such elements of Russian authority and order as are gradually appearing -here and there, under the influence of the Supreme Governor, and also -provide as little space and opportunity as possible for the collection -and reorganisation of the elements of disorder. The policy of the -American command, quite unintentionally perhaps, has been quite the -reverse. Their policy has resulted in turning every Russian authority -against them, or, where this has not happened, they have themselves -turned against Russian authority. They have prepared plans and created -opportunities for the reorganisation of the forces of disorder which, if -it does not actually create a serious situation for themselves, will do -so for those Allies who are trying to bring order out of chaos. The -reduction of the whole country to order, to enable it to decide its own -future form of Government, is as much an American as a British object. -That some sinister underground influence has deflected American policy -from this straight and honest course is quite obvious. - -Contrary to general Allied opinion, the American command declared a -neutral zone in the Suchan district. Armed operations by Russian, i.e. -Admiral Koltchak's or Red Guard forces, were prohibited within this -zone. Lenin and Trotsky's officers jumped at this order and at once -began to collect their scattered forces together. Within three weeks -they raised their Bolshevik flag on their own headquarters, under the -protection of the flag of the United States. From this neutral American -zone the Bolsheviks organised their forces for attacking the Japanese on -the Amur, for destroying British and other supply trains on the Ussurie -Railway, and finally exchanged shots with the Russian sentries near -Vladivostok itself, always bolting back to the American zone when -attacked by the forces of the Supreme Governor. - -The other Allies and the Russians having got the measure of this neutral -zone business, naturally took steps to protect their men and property, -and for a time the operations of this very energetic Lenin officer were -confined to robbing and destroying a few isolated villages in the -maritime provinces; but the utter absurdity of American policy was at -last brought home to the Americans themselves. The Red Guard commandant, -chafing under the restrictions imposed upon him by the Russian and -Japanese forces (in which the British also joined when Captain Edwards -could get near with his good ship _Kent_), decided to attack the -unsuspecting Americans themselves. The Red Guard were very clever in -their operations. The American troops were guarding the -Vladivostok-Suchan Railway; the neutral zone was situated at the extreme -end of the line. If the Red Guard had attacked the end near the zone -their tactics would have been discovered at once. They therefore usually -marched out from the American zone, made a detour through villages and -forest, and struck the railway at a point as far distant as possible. -Destroying a bit of line--perhaps, if they had good luck, burning a -bridge--they usually exchanged a few shots with the American troops, and -if pressed, marched back to the zone under the protection of a section -of the very forces they had been raiding. The American command naturally -became more vigilant on the distant sections of the line, and this -forced the Bolsheviks to operate nearer and nearer the protected zone; -but in the meantime they managed to kill several Russian soldiers, wound -a few Americans, and destroy five different sections of the railway. -Then they operated too near the zone, and the American troops pressed -them straight into their own zone, where, to add insult to injury, they -claimed that in accordance with the American proclamation they could not -be molested as military operations were prohibited within the zone! - -Instead of proceeding to root out this nest of pirates, someone -suggested that a more comprehensive and binding arrangement was -necessary between the American and Red Guard forces, to prevent such -regrettable occurrences in future. It was common talk that a conference -between the Red Guard commander and General Graves, the American G.O.C., -was actually arranged, but was dropped when the Supreme Governor's -representative in the Far East declared to General Graves personally -that his proposed conference with the enemies of the Russian Government -would be considered as a hostile act. The breaking off of these -negotiations caused great annoyance to the Soviet Government at Moscow, -and they ordered their commissars in Ussurie to use the forces which had -been organised under American protection to attack their protectors, -which they at once proceeded to do. This doubtless altered the -relationship of these two parties, though the chances are that the -powerful influence which forced the American commanders into this -ill-fated policy will be powerful enough to prevent an open American -declaration against the Reds in the Far East. - -It is well at this stage to estimate the effect this American muddle has -had, and will continue to exert, upon the effort of the Allies to secure -some sort of order in the Russian Empire, and upon the position of the -Americans themselves in their future relations with the Russian people. -The American troops were spread over the whole province from Vladivostok -to Nevsniudinsk, a point just east of the Sea of Baikal. They were -almost entirely confined to the railway, but in this country the railway -is the centre and heart of all things. American policy at Vladivostok -applied to the whole of this area, which is really the Transbaikal -provinces, or all Siberia east of Baikal. In the early days of -September, 1918, when I passed with my battalion towards Omsk, this -immense area had been reduced to order by the efforts of the Allies, at -the head of which I place the gallant Czechs. The American forces -arrived too late to take part in the military operations, but began to -settle down to the work of administration with energy and ability. The -French moved forward after myself, and the Italian unit followed later, -leaving the American and Japanese, with such isolated local Russian -forces as had called themselves into being, in absolute possession of -Transbaikal Siberia. There was not a single band of Red Guards one -thousand strong in the whole territory. After nine months of Allied -occupation the Reds organised, largely under American protection, two -divisions (so called) of from 5,000 to 7,000 men, and numerous -subsidiary units of a few hundred, who murdered and robbed in every -direction, and destroyed every semblance of order which the Supreme -Governor and the Allies had with so much labour attempted to set up. -Thus this huge province in a short time descended from comparative order -to sporadic disorder, simply because America had no Russian policy of -her own, and rejected that of her friends. - -It was a major mistake of England and France to leave America and Japan -cheek by jowl without a moderating influence, to wreck the good work -they had accomplished in the Far East. The rivalries of these two Powers -in this part of the world were well known and should have been provided -for. It was too much to expect that they would forget their concession -and trade rivalries in a disinterested effort to help Russia. States are -not usually philanthropic organisations, these two least of all. The -work has therefore to be largely done over again, either by us or by the -Supreme Governor, Admiral Koltchak. Or the Allies, finding the task too -great, may retire and allow this huge province, probably the wealthiest -part of the world, to recede back to the barbarism of the Bolshevik. - - - - -CHAPTER XXIII - -JAPANESE POLICY AND ITS RESULTS - - -The lack of Allied cohesion produced by the defection of American policy -from that of the European Powers may change completely the status and -future of American enterprise in Siberia. America has transformed a -friendly population into at least a suspicious, if not a hostile, one. -Japan, on the other hand, has steadily pursued her special interests and -taken full advantage of every American mistake, until she is now looked -upon as the more important of the two. - -The attitude of Japan to the Russian problem made a complete somersault -in the course of the year August, 1918, to August, 1919. When Japan sent -her 12th Division, under General Oie, to the Ussurie in 1918, she did so -with a definite policy. Her ambitions were entirely territorial in -character; they doubtless remain so. The line of her advance has, -however, completely changed. In 1918 she had made up her mind that -Germany was bound to win the war; that Russia was a conquered country; -that any day she might be called upon to repudiate her English alliance -and her Entente engagements, and assist Germany and her Bolshevik Allies -in driving the Entente Powers from the eastern end of the Tsar's -dominions. Provided Germany defeated the Allies on the Western front, -as she confidently anticipated, this task was well within her power. So -insignificant was the task assigned to her in this eventuality that she -confidently expected the immediate surrender of such scattered Allied -and American forces as would find themselves marooned in this back end -of the world. Believing this to be the position, she acted accordingly, -treating the Russians and the other Allied forces in the stupidly -arrogant manner I have already described. With the _naivete_ of a young -Eastern prodigy she not only made demands upon her Allies, but at the -same time made definite proposals to such Russian authorities as -retained a precarious control over the territory she had already -assigned to herself. On landing her troops at Vladivostok she presented, -through her proper diplomatic agents, to the commander of that province -a set of proposals which would have placed her in control of the Russian -maritime provinces. The Russian commander asked that these demands -should be put in writing, and the Japanese agent, after some demur, -agreed, on the understanding that the first demands should not be -considered as final but only as an instalment of others to come. The -first proposal was that Japan should advance the commander 150,000,000 -roubles (old value) and the commander should sign an agreement giving -Japan possession of the foreshore and fishing rights up to Kamchatka, a -perpetual lease of the Engilsky mines, and the whole of the iron (less -that belonging to the Allies) to be found in Vladivostok. - -The Town Commander appears to have been quite honest about the -business, for in correspondence he pointed out that he was not the -Government of Russia, neither could he sign the property or rights of -Russia away in the manner suggested. The Japanese reply was simple and -to the point: "Take our money and sign the agreement, and we will take -the risks about the validity." The old Directorate, with Avkzentieff, -Bolderoff & Co. standing sponsors for the Russian Convention, were -supposed to control Russian affairs at this time. Directly the -commandant refused to agree to the Japanese demands they transferred -their claims to the old Directorate. The Directorate sent Evanoff Renoff -to "Vlady" to conduct the negotiations, and I suppose to collect the -money. When I was at "Vlady," in June, 1919, huge stores of iron were -being collected, and some of it had already been shipped to Japan. -Avkzentieff was exiled and Bolderoff was living in comfort and safety in -Japan. These were the things that were above and could be seen; what -happened to the other part of the first instalment of Japanese proposals -for "helping" Russia will doubtless be known later. - -At the end of August, 1918, it was decided that until some sort of -central authority to act as the organ of Government was set up, it was -futile to hope for the return of orderly government. For this purpose -the British went forward to Omsk and asked the Japanese to do likewise. -The Japanese would not move, first because they wished to consolidate -their power in the provinces nearest Japan, and secondly secure as many -concessions as possible before America arrived on the scene. When -America did arrive she still tarried to watch American operations. The -British moved off into the unknown with a 5,000-mile line of unguarded -communications; the Japanese, true to type, opened negotiations with the -Directorate for the absolute possession of the railway to the Urals, and -also asked what concessions she could expect to receive, territorial and -mineral, as compensation for the use of her army for the Directorate's -protection. A convention had just been signed, or was on the point of -signature, between the Japanese and the Directorate, placing the entire -railway under Japanese hands, when the Directorate fell. The first act -of the Supreme Governor, Admiral Koltchak, was to inform the Japanese -that the change in the Government involved a change in policy with -regard to the advance of Japanese troops and the occupation of the -railway. The Japanese protested, but the admiral stood firm. - -This attitude of the Supreme Governor was a serious setback to Japanese -policy, and they became alarmed for their position in the Far East -should his authority extend in that direction; but it is not difficult -as a rule to find tools for any kind of work in Russia. Ataman Semianoff -had for some time been kept by the Japanese in reserve for such an -occasion. His forces were ranged around Chita, and his influence and -authority extended from the Manchurian border to Lake Baikal. On -receiving intimation of the change in policy from Admiral Koltchak, the -Japanese ordered Semianoff to repudiate the Supreme Governor's -authority; they gave the same instructions to Kalmakoff, who occupied a -similar position on the Ussurie Railway and so placed an effective -barrier between themselves, their Eastern concessions, and the Supreme -Governor. The Supreme Governor ordered his Staff to clear these two -mutineers off the line, but the Japanese Staff informed the Supreme -Governor that these two Russian patriots and their forces were under the -protection of Japan, and if necessary they would move the Japanese Army -forward to their succour. - -The successful resistance of Semenoff and Kalmakoff to the Omsk -Government, backed up by the armed forces of one of the Allies, had a -disastrous effect upon the situation throughout Siberia. If Semianoff -and Kalmakoff could, with Allied help and encouragement, openly deride -the Omsk Government's orders, then it was clear to the uninitiated that -the Allies were hostile to the supreme Russian authority. If Semianoff -and Kalmakoff can wage successful hired resistance to orderly government -at the bidding of a foreign Power, why cannot we do so, to retain the -land and property we have stolen and prevent the proper administration -of justice for the crimes we have committed? It was intended as a -deliberate attack upon authority and an incentive to the disorderly -elements to continue the prevailing anarchy. A united, well organised -Russia is not the kind of Russia Japan wishes to see established. If -Japan is to succeed in her territorial ambitions in the Far East, Russia -must be kept in a state of mental disorder and physical paralysis. -Germany used the Russian love of conspiracy and intrigue to create -disorder and destroy the Muscovite power; Japan intends, if possible, -to continue that disorder for her own political reasons. - -Directly it became known that Semianoff and Kalmakoff had set the Omsk -Government at defiance, numerous other would-be Semenoffs came on the -scene until the very residence of the Supreme Governor and his -Headquarters Staff scarcely escaped attack, and it became necessary to -show the British Tommy on the side of order. This was the position up -till the early days of December, 1918. - -Just about this time the fact that Germany was beaten began to take -shape in the Japanese military mind, and the fact was hammered home by -the terms of the Armistice. For some days the Japanese Mission at Omsk -flatly refused to believe the cables; their national pride refused to -admit that they had so far misunderstood the power of Britain and her -Allies. It was a terrible awakening to the self-styled "Lords of the -East" that all their schemes should be brought to nought, that British -and American squadrons might be expected to cruise in the Sea of Japan, -and perhaps hold the scales fair between her and her temporarily -helpless neighbour. I do not suppose it will ever come to that, but such -was her fear. From this time on, while the objects of Japan in Siberia -were still the same, she pursued them by quite different methods. - -The first sign of change was that Japanese soldiers were allowed to -salute British officers and were no longer allowed to use the butts of -their rifles on inoffensive Russian citizens. Their military trains no -longer conveyed contraband goods to their compatriots who had -_acquired_ the Russian business houses in the main trading centres along -the railway. The Staff no longer commandeered the best buildings in the -towns for alleged military purposes and immediately sub-let them to -private traders. Japan at once re-robed herself with the thin veil of -Western morals and conduct which she had rapturously discarded in 1914. -While Hun methods were in the ascendancy she adopted the worst of them -as her own. She is in everything the imitator _par excellence_, and -therefore apparently could not help herself. - -The British and French mildly protested against the attitude of Japan -towards Semianoff and Kalmakoff, but it was continued until the anarchy -created threatened to frustrate every Allied effort. Not until the Peace -Conference had disclosed the situation did a change in policy take -place. From this time on the conduct of Japan (both civil and military) -became absolutely correct. President Wilson brought forward his famous, -but impossible, proposal that the different Russian belligerents should -agree to an armistice and hold a conference on the Turkish "Isle of -Dogs." If patriotism is the maintenance of such rules of human conduct -and national life as will justify one man in killing another, then no -Russian patriot could meet in friendly conference those who had -destroyed and murdered their own country and people. Russia during the -previous two years had shown that there could be no compromise between -anarchy and order, or their several adherents. This was, however, the -policy of America, and as such received the blessing of every -representative, Jew or Gentile, of the U.S.A. in Siberia. Japan saw a -kink in the American armour and took full advantage of the chance to -damage U.S.A. prestige. She rallied Russian patriotism to her side by -advising that no notice be taken of this harebrained suggestion. Japan's -advice received the secret blessing of both French and English who knew -the situation, though in our case we had to admit that the British -Premier had stood sponsor for this international monstrosity. This gave -Japanese diplomacy its first clear hold upon Russian patriotism and -enabled her to appear as a true friend of orderly government. - -American diplomacy in Russia had received its first great shock, but -with careful handling it was still possible to recover the lost ground. -With the utter failure of the "Isle of Dogs" policy, Russian rage -quickly subsided and a normal condition soon returned. The Allies had -received a salutary warning, and most of them took the hint, but America -continued on her debatable course. Having failed diplomatically to -effect a compromise, she tried to force her views by military means. The -neutral zone system of her commanders was the natural outcome of -President Wilson's proposal. The intention was excellent, that the -results would be disastrous was never in doubt. It forced the American -command to adopt a sort of local recognition of the Red Army within the -zone, and enabled the Japanese to appear as the sole friend of Russian -order. The Japanese were attacked by Red forces collected in these -zones, with American soldiers standing as idle spectators of some of the -most desperate affairs between Red and Allied troops. Japan was -entitled to reap the kudos such a situation brought to her side, while -America could not expect to escape the severest censure. - -Profiting by the blunders of her great antagonist, Japan managed in six -months to recover all the ground she had lost while suffering under the -illusion of a great Hun victory that was to give her the Lordship of the -East. From a blustering bandit she has become a humble helper of her -poor, sick, Russian neighbour. In which role she is most dangerous time -will show. The world as a rule has little faith in sudden conversions. - -This, then, was the situation in the Far East in June, 1919. As I was -leaving Vladivostok I heard that the Red forces that had been organised -in the American neutral zones had at last boldly attacked their -protectors. If this was correct, it may be the reason why Admiral -Koltchak was able to report their defeat and rout over the Chinese -border and we were back again at the point at which British and Czech -co-operation had arrived a year previously. - - - - -CHAPTER XXIV - -GENERAL CONCLUSIONS - - -Before we decide our policy as to withdrawal or otherwise from Russia it -is necessary to know whether we have contracted any obligations to the -Russian people, and what is the nature of such obligations, if any. Are -they moral, military, or political? - -Towards the end of 1914, when our army had been driven back behind the -Marne and the future of Europe and our Empire was in the balance, -frantic appeals were made by British statesmen, and even by still more -august authority, asking Russia to rush to our aid and save us from -destruction. This appeal was backed by British public and Labour -opinion, and through our Press made a profound impression upon the -Russian people. The Russian Government, regardless of their best -military advice, forced their partially mobilised legions to make a -rapid flying raid into East Prussia, which immediately reduced the -pressure upon our own armies and made the victory of the Marne possible. -Hurriedly mobilised, imperfectly equipped, not too brilliantly led, -these legions, constituting the chivalry of Russia, became the prey of -Prussia's perfect military machine. The Russian Government never dared -to tell the Russian peasant the number of Russian souls who were -mutilated by high explosives and smothered in the cold Masurian marshes -in that sublime effort to save her friends. Russia lost as many men in -saving Paris during that raid as did all the other Allies in the first -year of the war. - -Russia continued to fight and mobilise until 1917, by which time she had -collected a huge army of over twelve million men. The Hohenzollern -dynasty and its military advisers came to the conclusion that it would -soon be impossible to stem this human tide by ordinary military means, -and having a complete understanding of Russian psychology through its -dynastic and administrative agents, decided to undermine the _moral_ of -the Russian people. German "Black Books" were not employed against -British leaders exclusively. We need not wonder at the rapid spread -among Russians of suspicion against their civil and military leaders -when we remember that the same sort of propaganda admittedly influenced -the administration of justice in England. The people of Russia were true -to their friends, demoralisation and decomposition began at the head, -rapidly filtering down to the lowest strata of society. - -If the Allied cause was deserted, it was the desertion of a ruling -class, not of a people or its army. German treachery wormed its way in -at the top, and so destroyed a great race it never could have conquered. - -Having disorganised the Russian military machine, Germany sent her -agents to continue the disorder and prevent recovery. She secured the -Brest-Litovsk Treaty, and made a levy of several hundred millions -sterling upon her bailiffs, whom she put in possession of her -neighbour's property. Lenin and Trotsky found anarchy the most effective -weapon to further the interest of their masters and protect their -Eastern flank. A peace which virtually extended German conquest to the -hinterland of Tsing-Tchau was dangerous to every civilising influence in -the Far East. - -The Bolshevik treaty was not less dangerous to Europe herself, since it -brought a war-like population of one hundred and eighty millions within -the sphere of German military influence. - -The British Expeditionary Force was ordered to Siberia in June, 1918, to -assist the orderly elements of Russian society to reorganise themselves -under a national Government and to resurrect and reconstruct the Russian -front. Firstly, to enable Russia to resist German aggression; secondly, -to weaken German military power on the Western front, where at that time -she was again delivering hammer-blows at the gates of Paris. This -expedition was approved by every party and patriot in Britain, and the -only criticism offered at the time was that it should have been so long -delayed. Soviet power under German and Austrian direction had released -the German and Austrian prisoners of war, armed and organised them into -formidable armies to perform the double task of maintaining their -creatures in power at Moscow and extending their domination over a -helpless friendly Allied Power. - -There was every reason for treating the Dictatorship of Lenin and -Trotsky as a mere side-show of the German military party; they were, in -fact, a branch of the military problem with which the Allies were bound -to deal. Under Entente direction anti-Bolshevik Governments were -established, and were promised the unstinted help of the Allies to -recover their territory and expel the agents of the enemy who had so -foully polluted their own home. It was on this understanding that -Admiral Koltchak, by herculean efforts, hurled the German hirelings over -the Urals, and awaited near Vatka the advance of the Allies from -Archangel preparatory to a march on Petrograd. Alas! he waited for seven -long months in vain; the Allies never came! After expending his last -ounce of energy and getting so near to final victory, we failed him at -the post. Why? - -The menace to our own armies in France had disappeared; there was, I -suppose, no longer an urgent necessity to re-establish the Russian -front, though the possibility of such re-establishment had kept huge -German forces practically demobilised near the Russian and Ukrainian -frontiers. Koltchak and his gallant comrade Denikin had served the -Entente purpose. Lenin and Trotsky, by wholesale intimidation and -murder, had aroused the enthusiasm of similarly disposed compatriots in -Allied countries. These compatriots were becoming noisy in the -constituencies. The establishment of order to enable the Russian people -to establish a clean democratic Government, and arise from their -nightmare of unbridled anarchy, while very desirable in itself, was not -a good party cry in any of the Western democracies. I grant all these -things; but what about honour? Has this no longer any place in the -political curriculum of the Allied Powers? - -These are only some of the things it is necessary to remember before we -finally decide to desert a temporarily sick friend. If I were the ruler -of a state I should pray the gods to preserve me from half-hearted -Allies and over-cautious friends. If I wished to help a fallen state or -lend an honest hand in a great cause, whether it were to eradicate a -hideous and fatal national malady or assert a principle of right and -justice, first shield me from the palsy of Allied diplomacy! One -clear-sighted, honest helper is worth a dozen powerful aiders whose main -business is to put obstacles in each other's way. - -If we were discussing the question of Allied interference before the -fact, I could give many reasons for remaining neutral; but we have to -recognise that for their own purposes they have interfered, that their -Military Missions and forces have been operating in the country for over -a year, during which time they have made commitments and given pledges -of a more or less binding character. That these commitments and pledges -are not the irresponsible acts of subordinates on the spot, but have -been made by Allied statesmen, both in and out of their several -Parliaments; and in this respect our national leaders are no exception -to the rule. Without filling my pages with quotations, readers will be -able to find and tabulate such for themselves. So categorical are the -nature of these that it is impossible to imagine them to have been made -without fully understanding their import and significance to the -orderly section of the Russian people who, on the faith of these -pledges, gave us their trust. - -It cannot, therefore, be a discussion upon interference or -non-interference; _that_ has long since been disposed of by our words -and acts. It is now a question whether we shall withdraw from Russia -because we have thought fit to change our attitude to the Russian -problem. It is certain that our decision to-day upon this subject will -decide our future relations with this great people. If you desert a -friend in his hour of need, you cannot expect that he will be -particularly anxious to help you when he has thrown off his ill-health -and is in a position to give valuable help to those who gave succour in -his distress. - -If our desertion turns this people from us, they will become the prey of -our recent enemies, and if that happens we can prate about the Treaty of -Paris as much as we like. The Teuton will have more than balanced the -account. - - - -Index - - -Absolutists, Russian -Affinasiaff, General, headquarters of -Allies, the, - a Russian reaction against - policy for resurrection of Russia -All-Russian Government, the formation of -America - and Siberia - and the Far East - her "neutral zone" in the Suchan district -American policy and its results -Americans - arrive at Vladivostok - an agreement with Bolsheviks -Anghara River -Anglo-Russian infantry brigade, formation of -Antonovka - a critical position at - Cossack position at - Kalmakoff, surprised at -Antonovsky, General, intrigues of -Archangel - an Anglo-American force at - failure of a projected march on Petrograd from -Argunoff exiled -Armistice between Germany and Entente Powers -Armoured trains, a duel between -Avkzentieff and Chernoff - exiled - President of Council of Ministers - -Baikal - a titanic struggle at - arrival at -Baikal Sea (_see_ Lake Baikal) -Barabinsk - a meeting at - the market at -Bath, Captain -Beloff, General, intrigues of -Berwkoff, death of -Bezovsky, Colonel, and a Cossack parade -Blizzard, gales and frost in Siberia -Bogotol, a meeting at -Bolderoff, General - and Japanese demands - confers with Koltchak at Petropalovsk - in consultation with Czech National Council in Japan -Bolsaar, Lieutenant -Bolshevik - losses at Perm - method of military organisation, -Bolsheviks - an agreement with Americans - atrocities of - author's address to - disguised as Russian soldiers - recognised as legitimate belligerents - successes of - their conception of treachery - train-wrecking by - utter demoralisation of -Boulton, Quartermaster-Captain -Bowes, General -Brest-Litovsk Treaty, the -British Expeditionary Force ordered to Siberia -British Military Mission placed under arrest -Browne, Captain -Browne, Major - inspects guards of honour at Krasnoyarsk -Buckley, Lieutenant -Budburg, von, and an alleged Allied force - -Canadians - arrive in Siberia - insubordination among -Chernoff, President of Social Revolutionary party -Chilliyabinsk, a visit to -Chinese Eastern Railway, American control of -Chinese - entertain British at Harbin - friendship for the English - frontier, State prisoners conveyed to - robber bands of Mongolia -Chita - an incident at - Bolshevik "kultur" at - Japanese at - Royalist conspiracies at -Clark, Captain, and Dukoveskoie battle -Coleman, Sergeant, of the Durham L.I. -Cornish-Bowden, Second Lieutenant, and the political exiles -Cossacks, horsemanship of -Czech National Army, the, presentation of colours to -Czechs - a tribute to their gunnery - and the question of a Dictatorship - defection of - defensive tactics of - frustrate a Bolshevik scheme - mutilated by Bolsheviks - -Denikin, General - makes submission to Koltchak -Detriks, General - reports on military situation - visits the front -Directorate and Government, members of, arrested -Directorate of Five, the - dissolved -Dukoveskoie - a new line at - battle of -Dust-storms, Siberian -Dutoff, General - reports Bolshevik treachery - -Easter at Perm -Eastman, Captain -Education, the Church and -Edwards, Captain -Ekaterinburg - an invitation from - meetings of railwaymen at -Eliot, Sir Charles, British High Commissioner -Elmsley, Brigadier-General -European Russia, a visit to - -Frank, Colonel R. Antonivitch, author's liaison officer - an exciting incident at Krasnoyarsk -Frank, Madame - acts as correspondent and translator for labour missions - commands a company in the trenches - conveys a Bolshevik victim to hospital -Frazer, David, _Times_ correspondent -French, the, and General Knox's mission - form a German Legion - "prestige" of - protect Serbian ruffians - their influence in Omsk -French-Tonquin Battalion, the -Fugi, General, and his command - -Gaida, General - and Pepelaieff - arrests Czech soldiers - author's introduction to - captures Perm - resigns his Czech commission. - surrender of Red Guards to -Galitzin, General Count - and the Perm offensive - personality of -Ganin, General, a strange order from - and his command - decorates Allied representatives, - releases enemy prisoners - the Omsk Government and -George V., King, letter to President Wilson -German-Magyar-Chinese combination, the -Germans, enterprise of - sanguine of victory in world war -"Germans of the East" -Ghondati, General, his hopes and fears -Glashoff, a seven months' wait at -Golovaehoff, M., meets author -Gordon, Regimental Sergt.-Major -Graves, General, and the Bolsheviks - -Hachinsk, author at -Hampshire Territorials arrive at Omsk - move to Ekaterinburg, 222 -Harbin, author's reception at - political and financial intrigues in - question of travelling accommodation at -Hazelar, a parade service at -Hepoff, General, a story of -Hinghan Range, the -Hodgson, Mr., British consul -Hong-Kong, "Die-Hards'" departure from -"Hovart's Army" - -Imokentievskaya, a workmen's meeting at -Inagaki, Colonel -"Intelligenzia," the - (_cf._ Kerensky) -International World Workers, the -Irkutsk, author opens his campaign at - arrival at - Bolshevik "kultur" in - Japanese traders at - much-needed rifles at - welcome to Middlesex Regiment at - -Japan and the maritime provinces - her attitude to Siberians - intervention of - policy in the Far East -Japanese, a promise countermanded - and "class" carriages for British officers - and Semianoff - and the English flag - bugle band, a - casualties at Dukoveskoie and Kraevesk - changed attitude of, after the Armistice - charge an armoured train - propaganda in Omsk - retire without notice - their contempt for Russians - their mistrust of Allies -Johnson, Lieut.-Colonel, and his command - introduced to Koltchak - -Kalmakoff, Ataman, Cossack commander - a forced retirement - dismisses his second in command - Japanese orders to -Kameragh, railway troubles at -Kanaka, General, Japanese Chief of Staff -Kansk, an address to workmen at - revolt at -Katanaev, Lieut.-Colonel, placed under arrest -_Kent_ -Kerensky destroys old Russian army -Kerensky and Korniloff - Intelligenzia party of - Russian opinion of -Khama River, evidences of Terrorist atrocities in, - moving ice on the -King, Lieutenant T.E., of Middlesex Regiment -Klukvinah, enemy defeat at -Knox, General, a conference with - a decoration for - and the railway revolt - at Taiga - inoculated against typhus - Japanese insult to - object of his mission - patriotic speech by - removes to Ekaterinburg - Siberian tour of - tribute to -Koltchak, Admiral, accepts supreme authority - Allied felicitations to - an unexpected conference with Bolderoff - and an Allied appointment - and the arrest of members of the Council - and the Czech ceremony - and the December revolt - and the Omsk _coup d'etat_ - assurances on the labour problem - author's farewell interviews with - becomes Minister for War - impartial justice of - intrigues against - on American policy in the Far East - orders arrest of Czechs - personality of - receives reports of author's mission - tenders his resignation - tribute to - visits Ural fronts -Korniloff, General, Kerensky's order to -Koulomsino, Bolsheviks at -Kraevesk, battle of - startling news from - "the station without a town," - visited by author -Krasilnikoff, Lieut-Colonel, placed under arrest -Krasnoyarsk, an incident at a banquet at - an interview with Gen. Rosanoff at - arrival at - author's addresses at - Bolsheviks in - Colonel Frank wounded by Serbs at - derelict war material at - international intrigues at -Kunghure front, a visit to the -Kushva, evidences of Bolshevik rule in - mineral deposits of - the Bolshevik Commissar of - the Watkin Works and its heroes - -Lake Baikal - an autumn sunrise on -Lebediff, Colonel (afterwards General) - a warning to -Ledwards, Mr., British Vice-Consul at Nikolsk -Lenin -Lisvin front, a visit to the - -Machinery, German _v_. English -Malley, Major, friendly relations with - his command -Manchuli, a much-talked-of incident at - Bolshevik atrocities at - Japanese Division at -Manchuria, plains of -Manchurian-Chinese Eastern Railway, the -Manchurian front, conditions on the -Marca, author's Cossack attendant -Matkofsky, General, welcomes author at Omsk -Middlesex Regiment (25th Battalion) and battle of Dukoveskoie - leaves Hong-Kong for Siberia - machine-gun section of - welcomed in Irkutsk -Mitchel - bravery of -Moffat, Petty Officer, his Naval party surrounded, -Mongolia, plains of - robber bands of - Tartars of - the Japanese and -Mongolians ask Semianoff to become their Emperor -Moorman, Lance-Corporal -Morrisy, Lieut.-Colonel, of Canadian contingent -Mosquitoes In Siberia, -Munro, Lieutenant, brings comforts for soldiers -Murray, Captain Wolfe, commands armoured trains from _Suffolk_ -Muto, General, and Japanese propaganda - -Nadegenska, steelworks of -Nash, Consul, as host -Navy, the, artillery assistance by -Neilson, Lieut.-Col. J.F. -Nesniodinsk, an address to workmen at -Nevanisk, before and after Bolshevik rule -Nicholas II., Tsar, abolishes vodka - his prison - murder of -Nikolioff, Colonel, and surrendered Bolsheviks -Nikolsk, a courteous station-master - arrival at - Bolshevik "kultur" at - Japanese headquarters at -Niloy-ugol, the barracks at -Novo Nikoliosk, author at - enemy prisoners released at - -Oie, General, an urgent message from - headquarters of - thanks British -Olhanka, Czech and Cossack retirement from -Omsk, a _coup d'etat_ in - a dust-storm in - arrival at - blizzard, gales and frost in - Canadians arrive at - comforts for the troops - disappearance of British influence in - friendships formed at - terrible days in - the political situation in - revisited -Otani, General, orders to author - -Paris, a bombshell from, and the effect -Paris Council, the, - and the pressure on French front -Pastokova, Madame, author's meeting with -Pastrokoff, Mr. - relates an incident of relief of Perm -Payne, Commodore - a paraphrased cable from War Office - provides artillery assistance -Peacock, Consul, and the imprisonment of an Australian -Pepelaieff, General, conference with - meets General Gaida - plight of his army - the Perm offensive -Perm, a French Mission arrives at - a meeting in railway works at - a suggested advance on - an incident of relief of - Bolshevik atrocities in - capture of - high prices and rate of exchange at - increased wages under Bolshevik rule - the opposing forces at battle of - the Orthodox Easter celebration at -Petrograd, failure of a projected march on -Petropalovsk, an eventful conference at -Pichon, Major, and the Japanese commander - author's tribute to - consultation with author - his command - informs author of Armistice terms - thanked by author -Pickford, Brigadier, and the Canadian troops -Plisshkoff, General, and his command -Pomerensiv, Captain, a consultation with - a present from -Poole, General -Pootenseiff, General Evan, his farewell to author -Preston, Mr., British Consul at Ekaterinburg - evidence as to Bolshevik outrages -Prickly heat - -Renault, Monsieur, French representative at Omsk -Renoff, General Evanoff - a cipher message from - and the Japanese demands -Roberts, Captain -Robertson, Colonel -Rogovsky, exile of -Rosanoff, General, Bolderoff's Chief of Staff - in command at Krasnoyarsk -Royalist and Bolshevist conspiracy, a -Runovka, an entertaining duel at - Cossack position at - enemy success at -Russia, a political crisis in - a reaction against European Allies in - aim of Allied "politicals" in - an unholy partnership in - German treachery in - hard lot of workmen in - labour problem in - murder of the Tsar - peasantry of - railway troubles in - the herald of Spring in - the puzzle of Allied help to -Russian Army, the, mutiny in - "Bill of Rights," the - democracy: the Soviet basis of - Headquarters, British in possession of - political exiles conveyed to Chinese frontier -Russians, emotionalism of - religious instincts of - Royalist sympathies of officers - -Sand dunes of Mongolia -Savinoff, trial of -Semianoff, Colonel, agent of Japanese traders - and the political exiles - makes submission to Koltchak - personality of - repudiates Koltchak's authority - revenue from railway carriages -Serbian soldiers, an exciting adventure with -Sheep, Mongolian -Shmakovka, Allies at - armoured trains dispatched from - enemy centre at -Siberia, a belated expedition to - American policy and its results - and the Allies - arrival of Canadians in - derelict corn in - Government of - Japanese policy and its results - mosquitoes in - reason for British intervention in -Siberian Cossack Regiment (2nd), parade of -Siberian Rifles, presentation of colours to -Sly, Mr., British Consul at Harbin -Social Revolutionary party, the - a fateful proclamation by - and the new army -Soldiers' Councils established -Soviets and Russian democracy -Spascoe, author's headquarters at - British quarters at -Stephan, Captain (now Major) - Czech commander - his services to Allies -Stephani, Captain -Stephanik, General, the Legion of Honour for -Suchan district, a neutral zone in -_Suffolk_ -Sukin, M. -Sungary, River -Surovey, General - releases Czech prisoners -Svagena, an American-Bolshevik agreement at - arrival at - Czech retirement on - Japanese at - -Taiga, a successful meeting at -Taighill, Bolshevik destruction at -Tartar herdsmen, Mongolian -Terrorists (_see_ Bolsheviks) -Teutonic penetration and Bolshevism -Titoff, trial of -Tomsk, the Siberian Districts Duma -Trotsky -Tumen, author addresses workmen at -Typhus in European Russia - -Ufa Directorate, the -United States (_see_ America) -Ural front, question of supplies for -Urals, the, mineral wealth of -Uspenkie -Ussurie front, critical conditions on -Ussurie operations, completion of - -Vackneah Turansky Works, the -Vatka -Ventris, Major-General F. -Verzbitsky, General - and the battle of Perm -Vladimir -Vladivostok, Americans arrive at - arrival of Canadians at - author's arrival at - Japanese arrival at - Japanese demands to Town Commander of - iron shipped to Japan -Volagodsky, President of Siberian Council -Volkov, Colonel, placed under arrest - -Ward, Colonel John, a Bolshevik - surrender and an object-lesson - a guard of soldier "monks" - addresses surrendered Red Guards - an interview with Major Pichon - an urgent message from Japanese commander - and December Royalist and Bolshevist conspiracy - and the Kraevesk affair - and the Omsk _coup d'etat_ - appeals to working men and women at Irkutsk - arrives at Vladivostok - as administrator - at banquet in honour of All-Russian Government - at Irkutsk - attends Allied commanders' council - attends an Orthodox Easter celebration - created a C.B. - entrains for Ussurie front - exciting experiences at Krasnoyarsk - experiences of the "hidden hand" - farewell interviews with Koltchak - homeward bound - in European Russia - inquires into railwaymen's grievances - leaves Hong-Kong for Siberia - made an Ataman - official reports on Omsk situation - officialdom--and a proposed attack - on the labour problem in Russia - ordered to Omsk - receives the Croix de Guerre - reports result of his mission - requests removal of his headquarters - revisits Omsk - speech at Svagena - straight talk with a Japanese officer - the Manchuli incident and an explanation - visits a Tartar herdsman's abode - visits Ural fronts - witnesses a duel between armoured trains -Webb, Sergeant, death of -Wilson, President, his impossible proposal - King George's letter to -Wolves, Mongolian -Women's suffrage, question of - -Zema, a stop at, and the cause - a successful meeting at - houses searched and arms seized -Zenzinoff and Chernoff - exiled -Zochinko, General - - - -***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK WITH THE "DIE-HARDS" IN SIBERIA*** - - -******* This file should be named 10972.txt or 10972.zip ******* - - -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: -https://www.gutenberg.org/1/0/9/7/10972 - - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions -will be renamed. - -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no -one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation -(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without -permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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