The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1919-04-09

The scnate's investigation OF the con-
ditions In Russia spread out before the
people Of the country many startling
facts. Most notable was tho story OF
tho conditions in Pctrograd as made by
Ambassador Francis, Col. Robins and
Mr., Simonds. The latter had very
unique opportunities. covering twelve
years, in Petrograd and Moscow.
Everything presented before the COM
mission BY these American citizens mas
been more than supported by the testi-
mony Of Russian refugees. Few Things
arc more thrilling than the hours spent
in listening to these Russians who nave
fed their native land to escape deatn,
and who have lost their homes, their
savings for old age. tho tools they nave
invented. the factories they have built,
the stores they have developed. the
newspapers or hanks they have foGnc-
cd. 1t is a tale Of machine guns or the
BolshcviSts sweeping the streets OF
Petrograd. OF dying business men whose
homes and property have been SOCIAL
Jed
Starving Men.
Ono day. standing on the corner OF
the street" says one Of these refugees,
II saw one OF our foremost Russian
men. who all his life long had served
his country. and was we'll known rs
follower OF kcrensky and the republic
based upon representative government
but who had been reduced 10 such Il
point of starvation that he begged
piteously for kopek or a crust or
bread, His face was the face of man
diving Of starvation. Suddenly he be-
gan 10 sink down on the sidewalk. and
,;nu
he had nothing in his stomach. and his
case is typical" II we can trust all
these Witnesses. Petrograd has fallen
from two million 10 enc half million.
and Moscow from three millions TO ono
million. Gables from Stockholm state
lhnt typhus fever is rampant by reason.
of hunger, as are other diseases like
smallpox.
Just now certain writers are urging
a postponement Of judgment on Bolshe-
yism. They tell US that we have not
enough facts TO he sure about Trutaky
and Lenine. They urge that another
committee be sent to report upon the
situation in Russia. But II we cannot
trust Ambassador Francis. whom can
VIC trust: The President has gunran-
iced the integrity and truthtulness or
Mr.. Francis: all the members OF his Dip
lO1nallC slaI support NV '''hoS'
with their testimony and experience.
Further, the Rcd Cross appointed Col.
Robins. and great denomination sent
DR.. Simonds to Pctrograd. These men
were in Russia during the overthrow or
the car. They lived under the repuo-
lie and Kcrcnskys rule. as we'll as the
entire Bolsehvist regime. beginning NO.
vembcr. 1871 IF We cannot trust these
men who lived through the critical
epoch. how can we trust the next report
crs sent over 10 investigate our ambas-
sador: And what shall DO said OF the
testimony Of the hundreds il Russian
refugees now In Bcrne. Geneva Stock
holm and Copenhagen? Upon what basis
shall anarchists in this country, VINO
sympathizr with Trotzky and Lanlne
assault Madame Hrrshkovsky? This
Russian woman has vindicatcd her in
tegrity by moro than forty years or
courage and self-sacrifice. Beginning
with her work OF teaching the peasants
upon her husbands estate more than
forty years ago. she has endured exile.
the horrors OF tho Siberian prison. years
among convicts. and gathering up her
expernnca In Russia this brave woman
tells us that BoIshcvism has turned