Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1918-12-18
BOLSF1EVISM IN RUSSIA GAINS
THROUGH IT'S CONTROL OF FOOD
Conditions Bad, Middle Glass Being Espe,
cially Hard Hit-InAux of Destitute
Prisoners Is Restricted.

Conditions in Russia, especially
Petrograd, with regard to food and
the general economic situation, are
bad. according to reports received by
the State Department.
The soviet government has restrict
ed the influx of hungry and destitute
prisoners. one dispatch states. These
prisoners have been returning from
German and Austrian prison comps
with no officers nor guards.
Many Are Starving.
The middle classes in Petrograd
straits. Large numbers are dying of
starvation. There is no fuel. and
many must stay in beds all day to
keep warm. No supplies have been
received for more than two weeks.
Meanwhile the bolsheviki are gain
ing in numbers because they control
distribution of food. There is in
creasing disorder in the administra-
ton of affairs. according to these
adviceS, and such authority as exists
has no control over subordinate Off
Gals
Many Scandinavian fugitives, escap-
ing from bolshevik terrors are ar
irving in Sweden. The State Depart
mcnt has advices from Norwoy that
the Norwegian legation. which had
charge of American interests at Petro-
grad. left that city December 10 and
IS expected daily at Christiania.
President Takes Up Problem.
The Russian problem already has
been taken up by President Wilson
with French statesmen, it was learned
here. and the determination of
definite policy on which all the allied
countries and the United States may
agree will be one of the first things
undertaken at the preliminary meet
jnss which are to precede the peace
conference.
Russia's plight and the attitude to
Ciated nations is recognized as one
of the most serious problems of the
conference. Every proposed solution
so far is said to have been blocked
by the unanswered question of who
is qualified to speak for the Russian
people.
The government at Omsk. of which
the United States and other govern
ments have expected much, is now
N the hands of a dictator and split
into factions. The entente nations
have not given up hope that the
Omsk authorities may yet evolve a
stable form of government for Rus
STA, but this has not been accomplish
ed now, and none of the allied gov
ernments has recognized the Omsk
regime officially. although all of them
are dealing with Russian representa-
tives who are in close touch with Ad-
miral Kolchak and his government.
Representatives on Way to Paris.
Prince Lvoff, who was premier in
the kerensky cabinet and who has
devoted most of his life to the de-
Velopment of the zemstvo system in
Russia. and Boris Bakhmeteff, Rus
sian ambassador in Washington, aR-
pointed by Kerenslly. as well as Prof.
PAUL Miliukoff, Kerensky's minister
If foreign affairs, are on their way
20 Paris. or already there, with other |
prominent Russians, to do whatever
they can to aid the allies in the So
luton of the Russian problem. But |
whether they represent the people of |
Russia at this time is a question |
which. it privately is admitted, cam
not be answered here.
Prince Lvoff has recently been in |
Washington. where he discussed the |
situation in his country with Presi-
dent Wilson and Secretary Of State !
lansing. Prof. Miliukoff. whose !