The evening Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1918-1920, 1919-05-13
RED TRAIL OF RUIN
BOLSHEVIKI LEFT
ON SIBERIAN RAID
Horrors of Their Rule Seen
In Territory Freed By
KOlchaks
TRIAL WAS MOCKERY
Bolshevism is Organized Anarchy far
Surprising the Old-Time
Imperialism
TRIAL WAS MOCKERY

BlELEBEL, Province OF OfenDurg,
Russia, May 13-(Associated Press)--
The story of Bolshevist rule unfolded
by the rcoccupation by the Siberian
army of a large section of territory
discloses wholesale murder, robbery,
and persecution. Investigation by the
Associated Press shows not a single
instance of constructive work.
Throughout the district of Ufa,
Beilebei, and Bugulma hundreds of
citizens of the better class and small
property owners are known to have
been murdered; other hundreds to
have disappeared. The fate of sew
Ell hostages from Ufa, including
Count Peter Tolsoy, member of the
first Imeprial Duma, and several en-
gineers is not known.
The widow of a prominent physician
of Bugulma, who had been in jail for
five weeks charged with political ac-
tivity, related that groups of her fell
low prisoners were taken before an
inquiry commission at intervals, and
from each group about one-third the
number were condemned to death,
among them a priest, local Govern
ment officials, and land owners. Pris-
oners were sent to the cemetery to
dig graves for those who were exc
cuted. This woman, whose name is
Varvara Andreyeff, was released
through the efforts Of the local teach
ers' organization.
The Bolshevist courts are a trav-
esty, the judges are strongly parti-
san and subject to recall by the in
quiry commission. Persons accused
of crime are permitted counsel only
from a group Of official attorneys ap-
pointed by the same commission.
This commission has the power to
condemn to death without reference
to the court. Thirty OF more persons
were condemned in this way in Ufa
alone. Offenses punishable by death
include drunkenness, dealing illegally
in liquor, and in some cases prosti-
tuition.
The hurried flight from Ufa of the
Bolshevist forces necessitated the
leaving of the bodies of ten of their
victims in the courtyard of the Com
missioners' headquarters. The vic
tins included a teacher in French
school.
Ufa has enjoyed some measure of
immunity because it has representa-
ton in the Moscow government. New
ertheless, churches have been desc
Grated and a reign Of terror, main
tanned. Three women were shot for ex-
pressing satisfaction over the pros
pective departure of the Bolsheviki.
Two school girls were murdered be-
cause of friendship with the Czechs.
Discipline in the Red Army was
maintained through communists in
whom confidence was reposed, one of
whom was Incorporated in every
small unit. A word from him cast
ing suspicion on his fellows was IA
tai
In the opinion of the citizens of
Ufa, including Social Democrats, who
at first tried to cooperate, Bolshe-
vism cannot be considered from po-
litical standpoint, but is organized
anarchy, the autocracy of the Com
missioners surprising the old-time
imperialism The concensus of
opinion is that the Kolchak govern
ment, though at present imperfect,
constitutes the nucleus ofan admins
tration which should be supported.