Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1921-09-03

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murdered by Semenoff at the frontier 1t
did protest vigorously, but nothing came Oh
the protests. The Swedish Government also
protested on account Of the robbing of some
Swedish merchants who were leaving
Siberia with large sum Of money wnen
they were plundered by Semenof's Co.'S
sacks and afterward found dead in wood
Nothing came Of this either.
The Mongol Leader Robs
BY Means of Armored Motor Train
Dick Turpin had his trusty steed Brown
Bess but Semenoff robbed in an up to date
way by means Of an armored train, IN
which he patrolled the railway line be-
tween Chita and the Manchurian border.
Scandinavian merchant who had accumu-
lated large sum of money during many
years passed in Siberia and who had
hidden that money while the Bolshev1ks
were In power in Siberia got 1t together
after the Czecho-Slovaks had cleared the
Transsiberian in August, 1918 and reached
Chita with 1t. Knowing that he could not
get into China without Semenoff's knowl-
edge he took the bull by the horns, called
him. It is presumed that he offered Seme-
noff a portion of his fortune, for that chief
tain treated him very Hospitality and in
sisted on bringing him right to the frontier
in the famous armored train. He was last
seen being tremendously ushered into the
train by Semenoff, amid an armed guard
Of Cossacks, all saluting respectfully. He
was never seen afterward, nor was his
money Next day Semenoff returned alone
20 Chita, and he ever afterward discouraged
my inquiries about that Scandinavian and
lis gold.
Sometimes Semenoff went so far that his
japanese employers had to demonstrate
gently with him. He stopped on one occa-
sion an English officer in uniform and took
money from him, but vigorous complaint
rom the British commander led to an
apology from him and return Of the loot
He had at least dozen MISUNDERSTANDING
with the American troops, and on one oc-
casion the Americans were on the point OF
opening fire on him. He made trouble
with the gallant Czecho-Slovaks every time
they passed, and on one occasion Gen.
Gaida was compelled to send him public
ultimatum couched In the most violent Ian
guage--the only sort of language which
Semenoff understood. In September, 1918,
travelled from Hardin to Ekaterinburg In
Gaida's train, along with Major Slaughter,
the American military representative, and
while passing through Semenoffs territory
we had to stand to" all night, under arms,
In view of information we had received to
the effect that the Ataman contemplated
an attack on us.
While passing through Semenoff's terri
tory Gen. Knox, the British commander In
Siberia was held up by Japanese troops
soldier mounting guard over the engine
driver while other soldiers examined the
train. This naturally led to vigorous
protest on the part of the British General,
but though the Japanese quibbled and ex-
planned they never really apologized. After
Kolchak formed his Government at Omsk
Semenoff continually stopped ammunition
: equipment and supplies for the Russian
troops on the Ural front This ELECTED
scores of the most violent complaints from
the British and American Generals who
were supporting Kolchak, but still the
thing went on, and 1t probably had some
thing to do in the end with the Supreme
Rulers" downfall.
| Associated With Kolchak
This Cossack Betrayed Hin
semenoff never really acknowledged Kol
! chalk. and Rolchak could never win thu
, obedience Of this Cossack bandit, who hat
' behind him the might Of Japan, the only
! country that really counted in Siberia, fol
It could send half million men into thu
Maritime Province in the course OF
month, a feat which neither America MOI
England could possibly do. II Japan hat
really wanted to crush the Bolsheviks
could have done so easily In 1918. II 1t hat
v really wanted to assist the supreme Ruler
It could have seated him in the Kremlin II
, 1919. But, judging by its actions, 1t seemed
D to desire that Russia should remain veal
y and divided, and 1t seems to desire SO still
a The Soviet Government is afraid tina
= Japan will launch from Vladivostok
great attack not only on Red Siberia Du
2 even on Red Russia, but 1t need have n
| cause for fear The Japanese want to kee
/. the Russians fighting one another al n
h fnttupt. and II any of the White General
n in its pay are too successful against IN
/. Bolsheviks It will get rid OF them, Tor
: strong Russia whether White. or RED,
r the last thing in the world that the M
L kado's Government desires. Its one ide
a IA to make the Russian Pacific coast reall
Japanese though nominally 1t may b
Monarchist or s. r. or Menshevik
|. But whatever 1t be japan will rule Tn
4 roast. Even ! in 1919, when there wer
q American, British, French and Italia
r. troops in Siberia, the Japanese soldiers an
n officers behaved as though they were COCK
Of the walk. Incidents illustrating tn
70 contempt with which they treated foreig
10 officers could be cited by the score. o
n one occasion at Hardin four American
l. fcers had taken compartment In raj
'. way car by paying for 1t and getting
D. proper authorization from the railway a.
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