The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1919-06-09

The other day several refugees from
Russia reached San Francisco by way Of
Siberia. They met at the Bohemian club
where friends entertained :ucm. One
night. in long conversation. one Of
these men who had lived for years in
Russia. described BolShcvism as The
greatest moncy-makinE Schcm:" ever I'M
vc'urd. abe man was for a long time
Consul Oh one Of the allied governments
in rich agricultural region. CuTior the
cars Crnmcnt and kcrcn@hy'S. this
administrative district paid one hHndrcl
and twenty-five thousand dollar taxes.
This money was spent on roads. schools.
hospitals and police. The peasants and
working people paid only twelve thou
sand five hundred dollars year. while
the rest Of the taxes was paid by the
land. forests and mills.
One day a train pulled into that city,
bringing the Red Army. The lSolShcvists
had ruined the cars. torn off the win
dow curtains. stolen the blankets from
the sleeping coaches. taken tho towels
and soap and looted the dining ear.
Some had climbed on top Of the cars and
broken through the roof. The soldiers
had. thrown from the train wounded men
and nurses. Whenever they met another
train they plundercd il Of its food and
goods All the Bolshcvsts rode on pass
/ cs. When they reached this town. the
Red Army spread out like a swarm Of
locusts. Soon they constituted them
selves both police and militia. Their
leaders Immediately proclaimed that the
district from which had for years raised
taxes Of one hundred and sCr"n:y-five
thousand dollars should hereafter pay
five hundred thousand, dollars, They col
lcctcd these taxes. forcing immediate
contribut ions. They had learned tho
method from the Germans who with tho
rifle and fire brand. forced each Belgium
community TO pay fines OF millions Of
dollars. The officers OF the Bolshcvist
soldiers ordered the merchants 10 move
out Of their homes. They seized all the
private gardens They took every car
riage and the occasional automobile.
When this Consul escaped. the men
who were the real backbone Of the COM
munity having strength. ability and
character. had fled ih disguise. The
working people and the peasants were
in state fterror. All industry was
paralyzcd. The whole district was gov
crn'd by revolutionary adventures.
Scuundrcls newly released from the jals
! divided the plumber and profit. Five
! hundred thousand dollars was forced out
Of the community within few months,
J and by that time the people has ceased
I 10 produce either lQDU OF E'piN. W ~ II
! this man succeeded in escaping. the
{ whole region was in the grip Of n famine
! and anarchy. At last. when thcr" was
, no moro money or treasure 10 b" cvtort-
! ed, the BolshcvIst adventures prepared
I 10 move INTO fresh territory. These
! three men gave II as their general ludG-
! ment. based upon their experience Of in
, terror Russia. that BOlshcv SIN IL he
: greatest invention in the way IF hri-
! gandaEc. plumber. loot and theft. DIS
! guiscd under the name Of the Soviet.
! that history has ever known. From
! their view point IT represents Il group OF
| thieves and industrial paupers getting
! together and saying that II they went
| forth as mere safe breakers, counter
! fcitcrs and thieves. they would he ar
rested and sent 10 Siberia. Let Cs,
: therefore, pass some laws under the DIS
EUise of a revolutionary movement an!
, then claim that the footing was done by
reason Of necessity and representing r&-
/ CcsseS under the name Of BUl! heV. SIN.
: So the Russian revolution was born So
it was that a gang OF mUrdcrtrs, lh.eN 80
and conYicts were turned loose 20 ray
age and rSvish Russia