The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1918-03-23
FORMING new RED
ARMY TO REPLACE
RUSSIAN TROOPS
Being DISARNED
Old Army Being Demobil-
lied on Orders of the
Soviet Government
VOLUNTEER FORCE
BEING ENLISTED
Factories Are
Being Moved From Pet
rograd to Interior
Try AsnocIntsd Prsss.l


Moscow, Tuesday, March 19.-The
soviet government is rapidly disarm.
ing and disbanding the old army and
eliminating it's influence from: pub
lie affairs. The Moscow soviet has
removed from it's executive com
mittse all soldiers representatives
and similar action is taking place
throughout Russia, as the old army
S. presumably out Of existence and
not entitled to representation.
The now voluntary army Will Sc
lect representatives in the various
soviets. The old soldiers are I'M
willing at many places TO surrender
their arms and return to work. AT
petroErad three regiments declined
10 be demobilized. The Bolshevik
Red guards entered the barracks
surprised the sleeping soldiers, setz-
ed their arms and forced them to
leave the city.
The Petrograd soviet has issued a
statement saying that these regi-
rr.ents were under influences contrary
to the revolutionary movement, were
lazy and undisciplined and refused TO
assist I'm guard duty. In explanation
Of the governments evacuation OF
Petrograd, the soviet has Issued
statement saving the commissioners
went to Moscow for the purpose Of
saving Petrograd from destruction as
they believed the Germans removal
would demonstrate the strength or
the Russian peoples government
and how the German capture or the
capital would be useless as the gov
eminent is prepared to fall back con-
'stantIy before the German ad-
vance, resisting and slowing down
the enemy onslaught.
Moving Munitions Plants
All available rolling stock is being
used for the evacuation of Petrograd
along the trans Siberian railroad
toward the UraI mountains. The
p11tiaoff rnunition works and the
Shlusselburg powder factory, near
Petrograd, employing from 10000 to
10000 workmen, are being moved 10
Omsk and Tobolsk.
The entire western end Of the
trans-Siberian railroad Is congested
with trains OF machinery, guns, am
Ynunition and automobiles. All sorts
of war material and factory equip
ment were stacked on flat cars, and
government employees, factory work
ers and thousands Of German and
Austrian prisoners are being sent TO
OnNly and other Siberian cities for
industrial work in establishing
plants. ..--.-s
Many prisoners when interviewed
by the Associated Press correspon-
dent. showed little interest in the
war. especially the Austrians, who
apparently have no desire 20 return
home. Some Of them sought medi-
zines from the American Red Cross
pnit for sick comrades, and did not
know that the United States had en-
Tered the war.
vologda, where the American en-
bassy is now located, has suddenly
developed from a provincial city
with a population Of $4,000 to a con-
.gestah transfer point with large
population. Military mis-
Slons Of many nations leaving Ru-
mania and Ukraine have gathered
there awaiting transportation to
siberia or KOla and Pearograd. Ref
4IRees unable TO reach Moscow and
other points southwark, because OF
hordes Of disbanded soldiers, have
conferred at Vologda, in the hope Of
lndfnE accommodation on railway
trains leaving for southern points
where the food situation is better.
There is little freight moving except
supplies. Every inch of
SPACE inside of cars, on platforms
nd on the bumpers is occupied by
All the stations are crowd
ed with men, women, and children
for space in the cars.