New-York tribune., 1921-02-20
Soviet Forces
Seize Georgia
AS Rulers Flee
General Bolshevik Advance
From All Sides, With Ba-
tum as Ultimate Object, Is
Indicated by Skirmishes
Red Warships Aid Cavalry
Auxiliary Cruisers Shell
Black SeaPorts Americans
Said to Have Left Tifiis

CONSTANTINOPLE, Feb l9-Bol.
the Republic of Georgia, completing
the junction Of the forces of the Mos
COW government with the Turks. The
Georgian government, which fed from
Tifis before the Soviet advance, is re-
ported to have halted at Kutais, on the
railroad between Tiflis and Batun.
Skirmishes which have occurred be-
tween Sochi and Gagri, on the Black
Sea, are taken to indicate a general
Bolshevik advance on all sides with
Batum as it's ultimate object.
The Bolsheviki are organizing 81
Black Sea fleet. Two Bolshevik auxili-
airy cruisers are shelling Sochi on the
eastern shore of the Black Sea in sup
port of cavalry columns operating
against the Georgians.
A provisional Soviet government has
been set up in Tifis.
Advices received here indicate that
three Russian divisions have been
marching up TO the paris of the East
from the fiat, desolate and frozen
plains of Armenia, while other Bolshe-
vik forces crossed the eastern shoulder
OF the mountain range and invaded
Georgia from that quarter. Belief is
expressed that Moscow desires to hold
TiAis as base from which the Soviet
government can direct the advance of
troops through Persia.
Americans in Tihis Recently
Several Americans are known to have
been in Tifis recently, but it is be-
lieved they made their escape to
Batum, where the United States tor
pedo destroyers Barker and Whipple
are anchored. Advices received here
say that members of the Georgian gov
ernment, Allied representatives and
workers with the Near East Relief have
arrived in that city. Among those who
we're in Tifis short time ago were
John Randolph and Hooker A. Doc
little. American Consul and Vice-Con-
sui; Messrs. Griffin, Smythe and Peri
cards, American trade agents; Captain
and Mrs. Ernest A. Yarrow and three
children, of Binghamton, N. Y; the
Rev. and Mrs. Harrison A. Maynard
and four children. Of Topeka, Kan, and
Miss Ferguson and Messrs. Elmer and
Gilan, Near East Relief workers. Cap
tain Yarrow was director Of the Near
East Relief for Transcaucasia.
The work of establishing Soviet
regime in Georgia is said to have been
relatively easy. The intentions of
Moscow toward Georgia have appeared
unsettled during recent months, and it
was declared she wished to keep the
little republic as neutral trading
point with the Allies. The Bolsheviki,
however, sent emissaries into Georgia,
among them being M. Shiemann, whose
plans collapsed, his failure resulting
in his expulsion from Georgia last
month. In addition, the 11th Bolshe-
vik army, witt which Moscow had in
tended to occupy Georgia, had to be
withdrawn to cope with uprlslngs In
Daghestan and Baku.
Trouble Begins Over Neutral Zone
The advance upon Tiflis was osten-
sibly caused by a controversy over q
neutral zone in the Borchalon district,
between Georgia and Armenia. De-
mands were sent by Armenia to Geor-
gia, asking that the latter withdraw
its forces from the neutral zone on
February ID, it being declared that
Georgia was bound to do this under
an old agreement. Georgia refused to
meet this demand, and then the Ar
menians advanced a few troops, which
were attacked by the Georgians. The
Russian Soviet gov rnment then or
dered it's forces forward TO assist its
ally, Armenia.
The Georgian government was not
composed of men with the fighting
temperament, it is said and modified
it's troops in an inefficient manner
When the Soviet forces advanced the
government fed, abandoning Tiflis to
the Bolshevik elements.
Experts on the Near Eastern situa-
tion declare the Caucasus question is
very much involved, Turkey claiming
both Batum and Baku.