The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-04-10
REDS In ODESSA GET
IMMENSE SUPPLIES
Increasing Military Menace
Cause Of Retirement Of
Allied Forces.
SERIOUS SITUATION SEEN
BoIshevism, on Decline in
South, Gets New Power to
Crush Opponents.


PARIS, April s.-The chief cause Of
anxiety In connection with the svAcua-
tion of Odessa by the Allies and its &C.
cupatlon by Bolsheviki lies in the fact
that the most fertile regions in South
ern Russia have fallen into the hands Of
the Bolshevik forces. giving them i'm
menss resources of grain, GOAL and min
erals.
The reason for tho Allies retirement
was tho constantly increasing menace Of
the Bolshevik soldiery against the allied
garrison. which was able to maintain
It's supplies with the greatest difficulty.
The commander thereupon decided to
withdraw his troops. numbering approxi-
mately $4,000. The troops retired 70
Rumania and Constantinople. "a
News of the evacuation OF Odessa
caused no surprise here. The French
General In command there announced
few days ago that he would hold
Odessa to the last. but Foreign Minister
Pichon told the Chamber of Deputies on,
March 81 that the situation at Odessa
was serious because Of tho problem OF
feeding the 100000 civilian Inhabitants.
May Go to the Dniester.
The allied forces at Odessa included
three French regiments, three Greek
regiments and a Rumanian contingent.
It 10 presumed here that the allied force
will withdraw TO the Dniester.
The situation in Rumania and Poland
Ia far from reassuring, even with these
additional troops to help form Gordon
against the spread OF Bolshevism. Both
Rumanians and Poles require the largest
inca sure OF aid from the Allies In pro-
viding them with food, military equip
ment and organization.
It is regarded as essential in compe
tent quarters that Gen. Halier's Polish
divisions should be hurried eastward az
soon as possible, for otherwise. It is
pointed out, there is q possibility Of the
formation OF a great Bolshevist block.
consisting OF Russians, Hungarians and
Germans. which would be 30 powerful
that immense forces would be required
to resist Il.
Statesmen OF various countries gath
cred in Paris discussed the Odessa Ques-
ton with considerable inquietude to-day.
and IL was expected II would form the
subject OF discussion among the dele.
gates to the Peace Conference.
II was remarked in semi-offioial circles
that reports received from Russia pre-
vious TO the evacuation Of Odessa had
shown Bolshsvism there to be on the
down grade owing to the gradual exhaus-
ton Of funds and lack Of supplies. But
the acquisition Of Odessa and surrounding
districts by tho Bolsheviki has given
them new lease Of life and placed In
their power the means to crush, tempo
rarily at least. the rising strength OF
those groups who are contesting most
vigorously the Bolshevik progress.
Optimism in Paris.
The feeling In military and STRATEGY
ical quarters In Paris concerning the
evacuation OF Odessa is optimistic.
Commandant Jean Mlrbel, a military
critic who achieved fame in France by
his Intelligent anticipation during the
last stages of the war. said to the cor
respondent this afternoon:
THE Franoo-Greek troops commanded
by Gen. Anhelm have just evacuated
Odessa. After severe fighting during
the second half OF last month the out
posts fifty miles east OF Odessa near
Kherson and Nikolayev had to with
draw and the evacuation OF Odessa then
became a military necessity.
Certainly II would have been better
lToil tllo lllOIdl ana pOlltlCdl point or
view TO retain Odessa, as our retreat
doubtless will DO capitalized by the Boil
shevik Government But considering
the purely strategical question, the
Of the great city has only
relative Importance.
what matters above all is the fate
of Rumania, which Is menaced by the
Bolsheviki from the east and the Hun
garians 20 the west, and attempting to
keep isolated troops-in southern Russia
was a tactical error. Had We not evac-
uated Odessa our troops would have
been ercircled and compelled TO SUR
render.
1T is on Rumanlan territory that the
allied troops must be concentrated. The
Polish troops to the north and centre.
the Czecho- Slovaks TO the south and the
allied and Rumanlan troops there will
be the three barriers against which the
Bolshevlst push will be stopped"