The Cordova daily times., 1919-09-13

CONDITIONS IN NORTH RUSSIA
 DESCRIBED BY CORDOVA BOY

are shot to pieces and not safe to ] run over ten miles per hour. The roadbed is 10 per cent worse than the Copper River is in the worst spots, the gauge i five feet; the cars are about the same as in France, equipped with hooks for couplers and no air and very few brakes, so it's a case of stop by reverse screw-gear on engine. .r ~-~r@~t:"
 The country is low, level and a vast swamp.
 People and Conditions
 This city of Saroka is an old one of about 300 log houses and is sit uated on the shores of the White sea on the River Wig. It is known in his tory since the twelfth century. It's population is pure Russian, who are chiefly occupied by fishing and hunt ing. There is also a sawmill located here. I was inspecting it a week ago and saw it operated. It puts out lot of lumber and is fairly up to date and is mostly operated by women, as the men are scarce around here, most of them being with the Russian or Bolshevik armies. The people are very poor and wear boots or go barefooted, and as boots are scarce and very high most of them go bare footed-women, kids and all. 1
 can talk Russian about as we'll as I could French, but, believe me, I can sure make signs to make them understand me. Everything is very high in this country and there is nothing to buy; the stores have locks on their doors. But once in a while peddler come along selling fish, eggs or meat. No tobacco of any kind is to be had. Not even a post card have 1 seen since I have landed in Russia. Eggs are $7 dozen and meat is very dear, so I have only bought one dozen eggs since I have been here and went broke, and am now happy again.
 Nick, old boy, this is some country plenty of excitement When at the front we eat, sleep and work with our guns strapped to our backs at all times. I have seen more fighting here than all the time 1 was in France 1 and am glad that I took the trip although il is a hard life, but to my 1 liking.
 Have you heard anything of Ted l Thisted, Tom Strimple or Jack Bra ] bazon? I left them all in France and have not heard of them since.
 There are a number of troops sta toned here besides the Americans. We are kept busy hauling Italians, Serbs, French, English, Canadians and also Russians back and forth.
 
 drafted to take the allies places, so we hope that they will get enough of them to take our places, as this is no place for white folks. The weather is fine at present and we have the same kind of continuous daylight as in Alaska; but, say! are there any mosquitoes there this year? I don't think that youh ave as they all must be around here by all indica- tions. We have them by the billions to the square foot and each and every one is very hungry.
 Brushes With the Enemy
 The Bolsheviki are only few miles from this town and there is plenty of shooting going on right this min- ute. This town is located on the shore of Lake Omega; one can take boat from here and go to Arch angel by going from lake to lake or river. This country is just full of lakes and rivers. The BOlsheyiki have some big gunbOats located here on this lake, so it's a ticklish job keeping track of them, as they can attack our forces from many differ ent places; and they have some good armored trains and plenty of ammuni- tion. But they are poor fighters, as few good men can run the whole outfit away; that is about all they 1 have been doing-running away and blowing up bridges and burning towns as they retreat. The reason that we cannot get at them is that the only place that fighting can be done with