The Benson signal., 1919-10-11
Hundreds of Persons Tortured the Most nan Fashion Before
Being Put to Death and Their Estates PiIaged and
Mansions Razed-Thousands Die From
Hunger All Over Country

pers that the reds had sent to Siberia
300 Russian barons, and also some
bourgeoisie; some died and the others
returned two months after.
although under our roof lived
military guard of bolsheviki or reds,
good luck kept us from sharing their
lot l cannot describe the last days.
After the arrival of the Germans
list was found of about a thousand
persons, in which we were, who were
to be shot the very next day.
1.-THE reign of the Germans lasted
exactly seven months; they annihi-
lated all our hopes, they accumulated
taxes upon taxes; carrying away all
the food to Germany, leaving the peO-
pie of our cities to starve.
"No discipline, corruption every
where, no administration. Only those
who deliberately closed their eyes to
evidence failed to see that country
thus plundered and so badly treated
was not to remain long under their
rule. But, alas! How many were
blind!
"Then came the great catastrophe;
the German troops fraternizing with
the bolsheviki at W; surrendering
to them cannon, war ammunition, and
refusing to fight. The Germans even
damaged the cannon they left to the
Esthes troops, which had been formed
hastily and were incapable of defend
ing themselves, having nothing, abso-
lutely nothing!
Reds Rule Was Worse.
"Then, for another year the country
was at the mercy of the reds, and it
was worse than the first time.
"The Bolsheviki had with them Chi
nese and Red Lettes, who were ter
ribly cruel, and those formed the
guard Of the unfortunate emperor and
his family.
"On the 28th of November we
learned that W had fallen; that
the Germans were leaving us in haste;
and, as the German general command
ing at R, had, at the request of
the Lettes, refused the formation of
troops with the men Of the country,
we were left without any defense.
"The lights of the electric projectors
of the enemy's ships already illuminat-
ed our shores from the castles tower
we could see everything; there was
not a minute TO be lost. The trains were
running only for the German troops;
it was then necessary to risk travelling
by the inland ways, through dreadful
roads and in a country in revolution,
for when the Germans took posses
sion of the provinces they took care
not to punish their friends, the boil
sheviki; so that we were compelled to
see and to live with the people who
had stolen and pillaged our properties.
The Germans did nothing to find out
the revolutionists and to protect us,
nothing!
"After having packed in haste the
strictly necessary things, our small
caravan started at five o'clock in the
morning; it was dark and the roads
were frightful.
we dTFlFou dL " OI lIIC SeCO1u
of December. We were able to stay
four weeks at our home, then in great
haste we had to embark on the boat
sent to Finland for the fugitives and
we arrived at Helsingfors. Lassitude,
troubles, and emotions of all these
weeks overwhelmed at last my poor
husband.
fortunately we found two rooms in
a hospital; there we lived for two
months, being often hungry, and when
we could get some food it was execra
BILE.
"The high prices of living in Fin
land are unbelievable. A pound of tea,
which ordinarily cost from five to fif-
teen kronen, cost from one hundred to