Evening journal., 1919-04-30
BY FRANK ]. TAYLOR
United Press Stan Correspondent

United Press Stal Correspondent
BERLIN, April is (By Mail)-Ameri-
cans who have been sent on missions
Into Germany 70 deal with prisoners or
handle food delivery have had their
roubles with the bolsheviks. and are
/ becoming experienced bolshevik lamers.
Probably the most tlcklish situation,
or series Of situations. for there are
new difficulties every hour, Is al the
port OF Dantzlg. where the Americans
ara unloading foodships and sending
supplies into Poland. Dantzig Is about
20 per cent. German and 30 per cent.
Poland. II has been a center OF trouble
until every one is ready 10 bolshevlk
On the slightest pretext
Threatening movements led the
Americans 10 distribute food among
the people Of Danlzig 20 keep them
quiet. The food did quiet unrest and
destroyed the desperate note in the
peoples demands.
To unload The ships. the Americans
hired Germans, and after the distribu-
u5n Of food, 10 was thought the honor
system might be used. 10 failed. and
stealing was rampant Finally Ameri-
can sailor guards, with arms. were
the Germans were examined as they
left the gates after the days work
Labor leaders soon began TO provoke
strikes and troubles. Daily there are
new demands on the part OF the work
men.
Equally trying has been the work at
the Russian prison camps scattered
over Germany. In an OF them are
"A 4 ell "a nN
Cross workers getting the Russians In
shape 10 80 back home as clean and
healthy In body and mind as possible.
There has been hardly a camp that has
not had uprisings and bolsheviking
and it has required more than ordinary
tact TO win the Russians 20 respect
authority and keep order.
In only one instance so far have
the Americans had 10 allow the Ger
man guards to use weapons 10 quell a.
revolt That happened at a camp where
several thousand Russians under the
influence Of bolshevik agitators decid-
ed to start across country for home
The American oflcsr IN charge tried 10
treat with the Russians. Their agita-
tors were stronger. and the Russians
began their revolt. The Americans
gave the orders and the German ma
chine gunners fired into the air. The
Russians continued their stampede. and
after another order the stream Of fire
swept the crowd Of bolsheviks. A dozen
men fell and the rest were cowed at
once. The camp has been orderly
since
A typical experience occurred at
Ruhleben, near Berlin. Colonel Ryan.
Red Gross commissioner, visited the
camp and was investigating some
needs A swarm OF Russians surround
ed his car and refused to let him
leave. The leaders OF their soviet pre-
senied certain d dmands, including more
food, immediate return home and re-
lease OF an unruly leader who had
been locked up. Colonel Ryan listened
TO their demands and talked over each
point separately with them. With much
difficulty. Colonel Ryan persuaded the
Russians to keep quiet.
Their experience in handling mobs' Of
proletagiat Is teaching the Americans
.some valuable lessons. which the Yam
aces are quick 10 appreciate. General
opinion among the officers and Red
Cross workers among the men is that
-b0lshevism is not a new problem. but
Is rather an old problem with a new
name. Application Of force does not
settle the trouble. except temporarily.
nor does tha application Of diplomacy,
IS the Americans have learned in deal |