New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1921-08-03
Epidemic Spreads Among
Famine Fugitives and
Attacks Red Troops Out
to Stop Frenzied Rush
Dead Cover Roads
In Volga District
Soviet Warns No Political
ChangesWill Come from
the Present Conditions
Special Cable to The Tribune

Copyright, 1921, New York Tribune Inc
BERLIN, Aug. 2.-Hordes Of peas
ants fleeing toward Moscow from the
famine stricken regions along the
Volga are being moved down like
grass by the violent increase of chol-
era, according to authoritative in
formation reaching here. Unless the
rapidly spreading epidemic is checked
indications are that it will become a
greater menace than the famine itself.
The death rate is becoming enormous.
Red troops, sent to halt the mobs,
also are falling victims to the plague
and their ranks are being decimated
by the disease. This peril, added to
other difficulties, has caused a host
of desertions from the Red army. the
deserters joining the peasants. All the
roads through this region are covered
with dead.
Peasants Burn Homes
The peasants are burning up their
homes as they leave their villages and
troops Of Trotzky's army, far from
halting the advance of the starving
millions, are tanning the general panic.
This is beginning to have its effect
even on troops in Moscow and Pet
rograd
All the trustworthy Communists in
both cities have been ordered to take
up their residence in the armories in
order constantly to keep up the spirits
of the men.
The Soviet government apparently
realizes that cholera is a greater men
ace than the famine, for it has issued a
decree creating special missions to ham
die the cholera situation solely and
has informed the Committee of Sixty
that it will not tolerate any injection
of politics into it's work.
In reply to the address of Kiskin,
one of the leading members of the
committee, in which he pleaded for the
cooperation of all elements of Russia
in alleviating the great misfortune that
had fallen upon the people, Leo Kane
netf, chairman of the committee, speak
ing for the government, warned that
no political changes need be expected
to result from the present crisis.
From other sources as we'll comes
the declaration that the Bolsheviki
will not lose control because of Rus
sia's present crisis.
Soviet Denies Capitulation
"The Soviet recognizes its helpless
ness in the face of the present situation
in Russia" says the Pravda, "but the
fact that Russia has been compelled to
seek aid from other peoples nust not be
regarded as our capituation.
Pravda declares further that the So
Wet is determined to fight to the last
drop of blood against any attempts to
utilize the present moment as an oppor-
tunity f. The revolutionary overthrow
of the 3 evist regime.
AS was to be expected" the Pravda
continues, Social Revoiutonaries, So
cial Democrats and cadets are hurrying
to utilize Rassia's misfortune against
the government. These now declare
magnanimously that europe must come
to Russias aid. Of course the Soviet,
under the circumstances, has been com
PEELED to appeal to other peoples, but
it would be the height of absurdty to
think that this means the surrender of
the Bolsheviki.
"On the contrary, the very fact that
the Soviet admits it's helplessness
proves it is sincere and does not fear
criticism.
"The government desires to correct
its mistakes, but it will fight against
these Judases with all the powers at
it's command
The Soviet has decided to form two
new labor armies of 10000 men each,
which will be utilized in fighting the
famine and cholera. All men so con-
scripted will be warned that the govern
ment will be guaranteed against their
desertion by the lives and liberties Of
their relatives, who, while left at large,
will be regarded as hOStapaS