New-York tribune., 1919-07-30
Tells Commons Res u.lts
WereCreater Than Hoped
For; Cut Germans East
and West Line of Passage
Praises Native Leaders
Every British Soldier Out
of Russia Within Few
Months, Says Secretary

LONDON, July % (By The Associated
Press There was full attendance of
members in the House of Commons
ms Gl afternoon to hear Winston Spencer
churchill, Secretary Of War. explain
the overnment's Russian policy, which
the Liberals and Labor Unionists both
nave been strongly attacking recently.
1T would be great mistake to con-
oemn the policy of the allied powers
IN regard to this movement" said
Colonel Churchill. "It was as an es-
sentlal war measure in the war against
germany that the Allies decided to oc-
cupy Archangel and Murmansk. 1t has
achieved greater results than ever were
hoped for Even if it did not achieve
all the results expected at the time we
landed at Archangel'
When the Allies landed at Archaneel
Colonel Churchill continued, German
DIVISIONS were passing from the East
ern to the Western front at the rate
OF per month, and that movement was
stopped. Early in March the Cabinet
decided that Archangel and Murmansk
should be evacuated before another
winter set IN, and directed the War Of
nee to act accordingly and also to send
Whatever relnforcements might be
drawal.
Further, the minister said. due re-
gard had to be paid to the OBLIGATIONS
contracted toward the population and
the local Russian government and the
army which had been called into being.
ne widest latitude was given the mill
tary to execute this policy, and its de-
cislon was communicated to the Rus
sian leaders, including Admiral Kol-
chak.
1T may seem easy for those at
home,' Colonel Churchill continued
TO say Let US get out; let US cut our
loss but to those on the spot it was a
matter of great and painful difficulty
to sever ties and quit the scene. | had
earnestly hoped and trusted it would
be possible for the local North Rus
sian government to have a separate
line after our departure, but after the
requirement imposed on Admiral Kol-
chak | do not feel that we can indulge
in that hope any longer"
Speaking on the general situation,
Colonel Churchill said Admiral Kol-
chak's and General Denekine's armies
hardly existed year ago, but that
now they were considerable in numbers
and were engaging 100000 Bolsheviki,
which was more than two-thirds of
their military force He added that
z,
but that Denekine was making formi-
dable advances, and that the military
question being decided was whether
Denekine could continue to advance so
as to take part Of the pressure from
kolchak or whether Kolchak could re-
cover and advance to Denekine. The
Bolshevik forces which Kolchak and
Denekine were engaged with would
otherwise be attacking new weak states
with which other Bosheviki were en-
gagged, the minister said.
Colonel Churchill contended that
failure to support Kolchak and Dene-
kline would have allowed the Bolsheviki
to grow in strength, which would have
fatally deranged the balance in Eu-
rope, stUltifed the league of nations
at the outset and developed form da-
Bile situation.
He added that in a few months
there would nos be a single British
soldier in Russia. "but, on the other
hand, we are continuing a powerful
contribution of munitions to Denekine
and considering the question of eco
nomic aid"