El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1919-01-17
SaySLOyaIRuSS
Could Win With
Moral Backing
Kolchak Asserts Presence
Of Allies Not Neces-
sarily Intervention.

Omsk. Central Siberia. Jan. 17-CBy
the Associated Press).-'The destiny
Of Russia can be decided only by a na-
tfonaI constituent assembly. Whether
the future Of Russia is a monarchy
or the most radical republic does not
concern the present government" de-
clared admiral Kolchak. confirming
his statement that the people Will be
given opportunity to register their
desires and proclaiming an all Russian
national election at the earliest prac-
teal moment. Later he informed rep
resentatives of the entente powers
that the Russian government desired
the trans-Siberian railway to be
turned over TO an international tech
nical commission, over which John e.
Stevens would be chairman.
Two Great Necessities.
Admiral KOlchak explained that the
two great necessities Of Russia are
the creation Of an army and the de-
struction Of Bolshevism-
He considers that a directorate over
the country was not feasible-first.
because the military demanded that
power be placed in the hands Of one
man. and, second. some members were
partisan and used their influence 10
disorganiZe the army. He pointed out
that different dictators in history were
usually military leaders, who pro-
claimed themselves dictatOrs-
He, as a consequences, was chosen by I
his colleagues for the sole object Of
leading Russia through her crisis. He /
is delegating civil matters entirely to !
colleagues His power is temporary /
and when order is restored and the /.
crisis is passed, he viii. he says, re-
tire and leave everything to the rep 4
80 Il
Three Clearly Defined Groups.
Discussing the internal political sit 4
uation, he explained that there are
three clearly defined groups in the
country First, the people supporting
the government in its efforts TO re-
construct Russia along constitutional
lines and to annihilare BOlSheVisns
second. the reactionary element which /
IS avowedly striving for the restOra-
ton Of the monarchy, and. third, the 4
revolutionary Socialists, who might
ct any time fall back into Bolshevism-
Asked il he favored allied and
Am erican Intervention, he said:
Il was just getting TO that. Russia
today is terribly disorganized and
needs financial. economical and indus
trial help from America and the
allies. but especially requires NUM-
tons and clothes for the gallant army.
which is suffering from lack Of es-
sential garments.
Would Welcome Troops.
Concerning Intervention east Of
the Urals. I would welcome detach-
ments Of American. English and
French troops, not for fighting neces-
sarily, but for the moral effect they
would produce on the Russian army.
Communication with Russia is diff +.
cult and enemy propagandists are
active If the troops, with their own {
eyes. saw America and the allies
backing them in their cause, the fight
against terrorism would be certainly
Won
This would not be Intervention in
Russian affairs It would help win
he salvation Of the nation Ny pres
mt army OF 100000 men is sufficient ,
o conquer the Bolshevists. II clothed ;
md supplied with munitions" I
John Sookine, former first secretary :
Z the Russian embassy at Washing I
on. has been appointed foreign min !
ster Of the Omsk government
Say Priests Were FIOEEed.
Priests, who escaped from Perm, !
ay that many Of their colleagues {
we're terribly tortured before the bat Z
le. as a result OF which Perm was {
aptured by troops under Gen Gaida- !
they say that priests there we're :
lunged naked into ice cold water and {
hen into hot water They declare !
hat men were flogged and then were ;
lain BY having wooden sticks driven
nto their backs.