The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-06-04
A 3 MILLION ARMY
BOlsheviki Mobilize Every
Available Man for Fighting.
Correspondent Says Troops Are
Well Fed and Satisfied.
AGGRESSION SOLIDIFIES THEM
TrOtzky Inspires Men With Al
most a Religious FervOr.
Writer Saw Nothing of Cruel
Discipline and Abuse.
AGGRESSION SOLIDIFIES THEM
BY FRANK J. TAYLOR.

Copyright, 1919, by United Press.)
Paris, June 4.-The Bolsheviki are
concentrating every resource of soviet
Russia for military resistance against
their outside enemies whose aggres-
sion, more than anything else, has
enabled Lenine and Trotzky to keep
the Russians united under the Red
flag.
Army of Three Million.
Every man of military age is mo-
bilized either for fighting or laboring.
According to the best available in
formation, the Red army numbers
about 100000.
Some authorities believe the Boil
sheviki are over-mobilized. as Russia
has always been in previous wars, but
using men IN the army prevents un-
employment while SO many factories
are at a standstill.
While passing thru various military
camps recently, en- route from the
front to Moscow, 1 found soldiers
young. satisfied, well clothed, well
fed and well paid. Many of them
were armed with American rifles and
ammunition, sold to the old govern
ment The staffs appeared boyish. l
saw no evidences of the oft-reported
cruel discipline, or abused eX-officers
forced to labor under threat of death.
On the other hand the army resem-
bled a huge group of simple minded,
enthusiastic boys playing at war. Once
while I was awaiting orders from a
division staff the bicycle courier was
overlong in returning. 1 later learned
that the entire staff had deserted their
posts to quarrel over the privilege of
riding the bicycle around the court
yard.
Fighting CZarism.
The few intellectuals I encountered
in the army long for normal times,
but frankly admitted they would fight
under the Bolsheviki rather than per-
init the white guards to restore car
ism. War enthusiasm runs high
among the Russians. AS a result OF
the Bolshevik propaganda they feel
they are defending Russia against the
ontside powers who would destroy the
nation and are fighting to save the
revolution from czarism.
I'VE don't want Nicholas times
again." say the people of all strata
who feel there is a better chance OF
reaching democracy thru Bolshevisn
than by trusting to the reactionaries
The Bolsheviki are boastfully con-
fident that no enemy army coul6
reach Moscow tho they are apprehen-
sive regarding Petrograd. Loss of the
latter city would be a tremendous
blow to them, tho it would lighter
their responsibility, since Petrograd
presents a serious food problem.
TrOtzy Inspires Troops.
The supreme council of six which
will dictate soviet affairs until peace
is reached has placed the entire army
under Trotzky, who spends all of his
time travelling from front to front
enthusing, organizing and building VI
military resistance. Daily Bolshevik
communiques from the various fronts
report that Trotzky is inspiring almost
a religious fervor among the Russians
the same they have shown in pre-
vious wars
The Bolshevik leaders are confident
they can hold out and prevent theiI
opponents from making any further
important advances into Russia until
their enemies are sick of war and will
ing to make a compromise peace
Their biggest present hope is the
United States. Reports circulated in
Russia of withdrawal of the Ameri-
cans from Archangel bolstered up the
BOlsheVic morale to a high pitch.