Evening journal., 1920-12-24
RED RUSSIA'S
COLLAPSE NEAR
Diplomats Given Hope by
Stories Carried to
London
SOLDIERS WEAR
BIRCH BARK SHOES
BY RUSSELL BROWNING.
United Press stan Correspondent

lbhleu frcss sian correspondent
LONDON, Dec. 10. (By MALL
Every week or 80 London's colony Of
Russian Ant-Bolhevlks. Czarist no
billty and refugee bourgeois welcomes
a new member, fresh from exciting
experiences In frontier running and
bearer OF new tales OF the imminent
collapse OF the Kremlin spiders
web" Their stories OF internal oon-
ditions In Rcd Russia replenishes op-
timism I'm Wrangeite, kcrensyk, and
Russian Liberation Commissions, and
stlrs hope anew in the virtually in
tact but stranded diplomatic mach IN
cry Of tho former Russian govern
ments.
About once a month a courier from
Moscow or petrOgrad reaches London
bearing briefly written variations Of
events and gossip 10 the exiles. These
reports are always highly interesting
and frequently bring 10 light big
stories Of happenings that have failed
u reach the outside world. More
often they are the unimpassioned dc
tail OF terrible incidents and oOlOrless
description OF horrible conditions. The
Just reached London, Struggled out OF
Russia by a fleeing professor from a
PelrOgrad university.
The professor does not wish his
naInn disclosed, as he was forced 10
leave his wife and daughter In Russia
and fears reprisals The reports are
apparently written by persons on the
inside OF III soviet negime, az fore
casts OF even are often faithfully
given
lenin will soon move the seat OF
soviet government from Moscow 10
petrOgrad." says The latest report as
the more destitute population OF
pelrograd Is less liable 20 attempt an
uprising.
Recently birch bark shoes were
issued 30 four regiments leaving
Moscow for the Wrangcl front. The
troops mutinied and demanded
leather boots. They surrounded the
kromlin, but were overcome by de-
tachments Of l.ctlsh soldiers. Every
twentieth man was shot.
"BOlsheviks have arrested two
thousand officers including several
1Tho anniversary OF the Bolsile-
wiki Government passed quietly DEM
onslraions were attended only by
red Guards and sailors and those by
order. No private workers or others
were pr resent
Because OF lack OF fuel all bath
ing establishments are closed, people
not having baths In their fats arr
given a coupon which entities them
TO take a bath in any Hat they desife
Professors and artists now receive
wages I'm foodsiuffs. Theme they an
better fed than most OF he popula-
ton. The army ration is sometimes
allowed brain workers. The cost OF
food coupons has increased from
1900 ruhles to $500. No food car
be obtained without a food coupon
EXCEPT at the ilhct markets, wher'
.it costs 1--WE times the genernl prices
The Norwegians have given scientists
artists and professors a present o
one-fourth pound rice. one piece soal
and one herring each. The gifts Wer'
deeply appreciated"
4 dispatch from potrOgrad says
Food situation growing worse. -l-,as
ants either have nothing TO send u
cities or refuse 10 do 50. keporUe'
here South Russian peasants shoot
ing commissars, selling lands an'
0phtine guerilla warfare. Tchitcnerh
mas sont a commission south 10 g.
facts Lettlsh deiachments are WEI
fed and pampered. Cllnel'i1n o''
used only Tor cxecuiloners.