The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1919-03-13

stopping in the villages to change
horses and get some rest, on all sides
we heard the same lamentations of
fhH ""asants about the looting and
violence of the Red Guards and about
the peasants wishes to get aid from
somebody. There are people, the
C2echo- Slovats, good people" | heard
from the peasants. why do they not
come here TO turn out these brigands'"
And the nearer we approached Siberia.
the louder were the complaints Of
the people and the more eager the
desire TO have these brave soldiers
with them.
People Mad Wiz, Despair.
Tumen. an important trading
center, was full OF Bolsheviki when
We entered It These brieands were
turning the people mad with despair
and fear of their violence and rob-
berry, taking from every family every
thing possible and onlptying all the
shops and stores to send the goods to
Ekaterinhurg. 1t Was just the mo-
ment when the Czecho- Slovaks, hav-
ing turned the Bolsheviki out of
Omsk, Toboisk and the villages on
the way, were approaching Tunen
and We're expected from day to day
( by the tortured inhabitants
! The Eolshevist party has opened its
ranks not only to criminals. hlst also
to many psychologically abnormal al
most insane elements. Given the pri-
/ vilege of choosing their functions.
/ these elements had every opportunity
/ to satisfy their cruel instincts So,
in Tumen. there was n Bolshevist In
| spcctor OF the prison. A ferocious
/ monster who tortured the prisoners
arrested by the BoIsheviki SO incess-
an " that Some went absolutely mad,
some died from their fortunes and
some were buried under the stones
and rocks before they were dead.
| Having friends all over Russia, /
was concealed by several doctors in
a hospital for some time, until we
should find it possible 10 leave Tumen
safely, Then one morning shouts
we're heard throughout the hospital:
They are coming They are comingt"
And they came, Colonel tnow Gen.
,era43 So 4ssoro@o@, with his gallant
Czecho- SIovaks. and Russian gen
cral with some Russian troops. 1t
was 81 THANKSGIVING day, Not only
tho town, hut all the surrounding
villages were represented here with
thousands OF people praying. cheer
ing and crying with Joy like children.
The municipality, the schools. the
churches all the organizatio sent
their delegates to invite the saviours
TO the common feast Many OF the
women came dressed In mourning;
some of the mothers of the victims
OF the BoishevIst terri" had to be sup
ported, for they could not walk by
themselves.
IT was the first ti~,e saw with my
ow. ewes and came ii close touch with
the Czech Siovak officers and men.
They were admired by al. OF US not
| only for their gallant appearance, but
they were also highly esteemed as
brave warriors. most perfect gentle
men and splendid citizens.
Courageous Gentlemen.
After this memorable day I always
had the most friendly relations with
Czecho- Slovak soldiers and officers.
was interested in their political
aspirations, and everywhere and in all
circumstances found them the same {:
noble, unselfish, strong in their duties
and faith. In Omsk / was proclaimed
by the Cxecho- Slovaks the grand
mother" OF their troops IN Russia.
There, ar we'll as In Ekaterinburg. in
iCheliabinsk. in Ufa..in Samara. in all
these places. ! always found them
fine men. beloved and esteemed by all
1.-THE Russians.
r. Yes, they were admired especially
for their humanity, their sense of
honor and bravery. While Colonel
! Robins tells his stories about the
never heard any complaint against
| them, never derogatory remark,
even by those who envied their valour,