New-York tribune., 1920-01-09
Reds TakeNew
Port, Threaten
North Persia
Capture of 5000 Prisoners
Is Also Announced by
Soviet Government at
Moscow, London Hears
Disaster to Denikine
Bolsheviki Cut Foes Army
in Two and Control of
the Caspian Is ill Sight

LONDON, jar. S.-Bolshevik cavalry
have captured the town of Berdiansk
on the north shore of the Sea of Azov,
one of the most excellent ports on the
sea.
A Moscow wireless dispatch says the
capture of Berdiansk gives the soviets
mastery of the Sea of Azov and means
the definite surrender of the forces of
General Denikine, the anti-Bolshevik
leader in South Russia.
The dispatch adds that the "Reds"
arr continuing their irresistible march,
and that the fall Of Rostov-o -onDon and
Novocherkassk is expected shortly. The
wireless gives report from Rome
that delegation of Italian Deputies
is going to Russia to study the situa
ton.
An official statement issued by the
Soviet government, dated Wedne sday,
claims the capture of 5000 prisoners,
forty miles southeast of Achinsk. on
the Siberian Railway. Another
1000 were taken near Kemchug, forty
five miles east of Achinsk, the state
ment says.
The situation in Russia is about as
bad as could be, from an anti Bolshevik
point Of view, according to British War
Office reports, and there are few signs
indicating any likely Improvement
There are two especially menacing de-
velopments. In the first place, General
Denikine's army has been cut in two
through the Bolshevik push to the Sea
- Azov, at Taganrog, and its hanks
have been thrust back, leaving large
gap. In addition, comes claim from
the Bolsheviki Of the capture further
east of the town of Krasnovodsk, on
the Caspian Sea, and while this is not
confirmed it is generally accepted as
true.
The capture of this important port
of Krasnovodsk, it is pointed out, Gre
ates the grave possibility that the
"Reds" may overrun Northern Persia
and occupy Teheran, which would
probably mean the establishment of
Bolshevik rule in Persia. The taking
of Krasnovodsk permits the "Reds"
not only to control a large part Of the
important Krasnovod dskMerv Railroad,
but gives them free access to the Cas-
plan. There seems little, then, to pre-
vent them from gaining control Of the
Caspian from the more or less in
effective volunteer fleet Once in pos
session of this sea there remains only
small British force, and the poorly
organized Persian forces between the
Reds" and the occupation of Teheran
and Northern Persia, through which
would exist the possibility OF their OBJ
tanning control of the whole country
Baku, with its important oil supplies
on the western coast of the Caspian,
seems likely also to fall into Bolshevik
hands, and its occupations would pro-
vide a base for further operations
against the rear of Denikines hard
pressed right wing.
If the Bolsheviki reports are true
General Denikine has suffered a con-
siderable disaster, for not only have
the "Reds" severad all land communi-
cation between his left and right
wings, but they have captured large
quantities of war material, including
much sent by the Allies. There is little
hope held out here that, deprived of
the supplies, the Denikine forces can
hope to make a resistance that would
prove effective against the overwhclm-
ing "Red" armies.