Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-12-14
CONFLICTING
Reports Of Battle in
Southern Russia
One Version Has Gen. korniloff Beat.
en- and Wounded, Another Says He
Has Routed Bolsheviki and Viii Join
kaIedines

London, Dec ia battle has occurred
near Bielgoroo, in southern Russia, be-
tween Bolsheviki forces and troops under
General Korniloff, but the outcome has
not been established and Petrograd ad-
vices are conflicting. The Petrograd cor
respondent of the Daily Mail reports tina.
General Korniloff was defeated and
wounded, and that his capture was to be
expected. \ dispatch from the represent
alive Of the Post, however, denies the re-
ported Bolsheviki victory, saying General
korniloff has routed his opponents and
will soon Join General kalednes at Novo
Tcherkask.
The Post correspondent, who received
his information from an unnamed source
sends a detailed description of the battle
He says General korniloff had about 3CO)
men, making up what is known as the
Wild Division OF Cavaliers of ST
George, "Battalions Of Death" and some
artillery. When the Bolsheviki troops
were encountered. General korniloff di-
vided his army and sent one part forward
! by train. This was soon followed up by
the Bolsheviki. who promptly trumpe;el
. great victory. General l<orniloff. how
ever. in the meantime unanswered his
main force near the Bolshevlki and at
tackled with artillery. Some of his oppon-
ents and others surrendered or Joined
the Red Guard section OF the korniloff
army The remaining Holsheviki were
surrounded and dealt with very drasti-
calIy.
VOW ,F = ~
Petrograd CORES pondent of the Post saws
there is no prospect Of a peaceful settle
ment and that henceforth force must de-
eide everything. The secret Of the sue
cesses throughout the country Of the Bol-
sneViki he writes. is that they repre-
sent the iron hand. Among the infiuen-
tal members of their organization are
men who were prominent in the secret
political police who once ruled Russia
THESE men, according to the correspon-
dent are introducing dissension every
where He says:
Although Hoods Of ind ga ton are be-
ING poured OUT daily upon the Bolsheyi.
~ II IS beyond question that they are
gaining ground in Russia, simply be-
caus" they use 4 strong hand which is
the only thing the Russians in general
appreciate. Their methods might hor-
flfH the west. but would be understood
perfectly east of the SueZ.
For example, i'll the last three weeks
| there nave been taken out of the riv-
erS and canals Of Petrograd 1000
! corpses Of persons whose deaths were
not caused by drowning. The injuries
which caused death. tell their own
story. A suit Of clothes NOWADAYS in
Russia is worth more than handtuls OF
paper money. The corpSeS Of the wo-
men. even had the hair cut off, because
1t represented marketable value"
Rererring to Siberia's declaration of
independence. the correspondent says
the Siberian troops are being recosn iz-
ed under General Pleskoff one of their
best Know officers. II is reported that
! the Siherians have declared in favor
of a monarchy.
! The correspondent asserts that al
though stories of the activities OF the
! CoSsackS iii the Southeast vary it is
certain that they are standing for law
, and order He predicts that eventually
the Russians will again present a
front against the Germans. adding
that nothing whatsoever within the
range in the human thought that hap
| pens in Russia need now occa sion any
surprise.
| Among the highly important facts"
The correspondent continues. is the re-
coNery by the Russian church Of It's
full independence and self government.
1t has again established the patriarch
ate and is preparing to take an import
ant part in the present struggle"
| Augusta from Togus at $50 broke a
! The'Jews of Russia, he predicts, will
have an important influence as the
capture Of Jerusalem by the British
"ill be weighty fact or in the situa-
ton. There are reports that former
Emperor Nicholas and his family are
enjoying much greater freedom Of
movement at Tobolsk and that there is
talk of bringing them back to Euro
pean Russia.