Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-04-03

Botchkareva," and threw off the
headdress of the Sister Of Mercy. The
officers gasped, Immediately crowding
around me with congratulations and
handshakes Kornilov was notified by
telephone of my arrival and the Joke
l had played on the sentries.
How do you do, little sister?' he
greeted me laughingly when 1 was
brought to his headquarters. My ar
rival and the way l got through the
lines amused him very much. He
looked very thin and somewhat aged,
but as energetic as ever.
! reported to him that I was sent
from Petrograd by General Y and
other officers for the purpose of ac-
certaining his plans and exact condi-
ton. 1 also informed him that the
Bolsheviki were making big prepara'
tions for an attack against him, that
] had seen eleven cars with ammuni-
ton at Zverevo, and that the blow
was due in a couple of days
Kornilov replied that he knew or
the impending offensive and that MS
condition was precarious. He had no
money and 1fo food, while the Boi-
sheviki were amply supplied WIN
both. His soldiers We're deserving
him one by one. He was cut OH from
| his friends and surrounded by enc
| mics.
Did YOU wish to remain with me
and Join my force?" he asked me.
| mo" I said, II could not nght
against my own people. The RUSSIAN
soldier is dear to me, although ne mas
been led astray for the present
at is also very hard for me TO
fight the boys that I loved so much'
he declared. But they have turned
beasts now. We are fighting for our
lives. for our uniforms. The NE ot
every Russian officer Is at the 1hercs
of the mob. 1t Is question vi y.
ganizing for self.defense. one can eH. \.
pect to do little for the country, II
the Bolsheviks are waging civll Wa Wa
when the Germans are advancing ihto M
russia This is a time for peace and
union among all classes. 1t IS tii,le
for presenting a united front 10 the
enemy of the motherland. But BOZ
shevism has clouded the minds OF 1he
people. What Is necessary, tneretoIee, -
is to enlighten the masses. we can I
hone to enlighten them by fighting. II
n were possible to organize counter
nropaganda, to convince the RUSSIAN
neasants that the Bolsheviks are speeo
ing our country to complete destruc
ton, then they would rise ana put al,
end to Lenine and Trotsky, eiecF new
government and drive the perihahs
out Of Russia. This is the onlS SOU Sou
tion that I can see unless the Aihes
aid us in conciliating our soldiers and
establishing a front against Ger
many"
This. in substance, was KornlloV's
view OF conditions in Russia When
saw him in February. 1918. RENAMED
only one day at his headquarters
From conversations with the men at
tached to his staff l learned that
Kornilovs force comprised only abou
5000 fighters. The Bolshevik army op
posing it was perhaps twenty times
it's strength. I left Novotcherkasi
in the evening, after an anectiohat'
parting from Kornilov. He kissed mt
farewell and ] wished him success TO-
the good Of the country. But ther'
was no success in prospect. We boti
knew It only too well. A heavy dark
ness had settled on Russia, sitting al
that was still noble and righteous.
Encouraged by my success in reach
ing there, l determined to return D!
myself. ! was taken to the battl'
positions by group of officers, ant
from there, accompanied by tnel
blessings, ! started out through tn
battle zone alone. I crawled on al
tours as IT through NO wall i]o
making a couple Of versts without an!
mishap. The experience gained at tn
front came in handy. ] scented tn
approach of a patrol and hid Just II
time to escape being observed. Th'
patrol turned out to be OF Kornilov'
. force, but I remained hidden. Afte
some more crawling l caught tn
sound of voices coming from the direc
ton of a coal mine and Judged thu
place to be one of the front positions