Evening star., 1921-12-18
SIBERIA MURDERER
DUE TO REACH j. S.
Seminoff, Cossack Terror,
Reported Arranging to
Leave Shanghai.
BY JUNIUs b. WOOD.

Ataman Gregorie Seminoff, reputed
to be the greatest murderer in Siberia
is due in the United States in hve
weeks. according to word received
by Boris Brasol who is in Washing
ton as the Russian monarchical
delegation to the United States"
Private cables also received by Amer
leans say that seminon is now max
ing arrangements in Shanghai to
have his passport vised to leave for
this country. At the State Depart
nent il was said yesterday that no ap..
plica ton had been cabled for entry OF
the notorious Cossack, necessary
preliminary before any American con-
sui may wise a Russian passport In
some quarters 1t Is explained that
as Seminoff is politically opposed to
bolshevism. he is entitled TO entry
into the United States.
Fortunes ON Decline.
Since his flight from Chita in an
airplane, deserting his troops year
ago, the fortunes OF the self-styled
"chief of all the Cosacks" have been
on the decline. For a time he main
tained a gorgeous barbaric establish
ment of revelry, wine and women, IN
Tsingtao. under Japanese protection
The Japanese also stationed the rem
nants of his army near Vladivostok,
which was then held by the Chita
government. When the word was
given last May for them to overthrow
the Chita authorities, Semionon set
sail for Vladivostok. Despite the pro-
test of the consuls of fifteen nations.
including Japan, against his landing
in that city, he left the ship and was
escorted to the Cossack camp by
japanese troops.
Refused Haven by Chinese.
The protest was so general against
his presence that a cash payment was
made to him, and he went to Shanghai.
The Chinese refused to permit him 10
live there, and he sought refuge IN the
French settlement. .
At one time semionoff was reported
and other loot from Siberia deposited
in Japan and China. Most of it was
smuggled out by his companion,
"Mirzka, the Gypsy" who by his
orders was made head Of the Amer
lean Red Cross distribution work In
Chita. A substantial portion Of his
fortune was settled on her, and an
other allotment was given to his wife
and son, who were sent from Con-
stantinople to Japan through the as
sistance Of the Japanese military mis-
sion located in the Turkish city. After
een-year-old Russian girl, dispensing
with the young officer to whom she
was betrothed, it is said, by the usual
method.
Name Terror I'm Siberia.
Semionoff. who. according to the
American Army intelligence Feperts.
served an apprenticeship as a ho1d-up
man In lawless Harbin, became head
man Of the Zaibaikal tribe Of Cos
sacks at the time Of the Kolchak
movement. Later he was chosen head
man Of the Amurski and Ussuri tribes,
though the other four tribes in ST.
IBERIA never electaed him. while the
Russia refused to acknowledge him.
He assumed the title Of headman Of
all the Cossacks which, had been held
by the czarevitch, and after the death
Of Kolchak styled himself supreme
ruler"
of his undisciplined men had made
Semionoff's name q terror In Siberia.
Men, women and children were tortured,
killed and robbed for the purpose Of in
spring respect for the anti-bolsheviki
movement. the usual method being to
ecuted and send their clothes to Chita
to be sold as charity.
American officers told Of 300 persons
being executed in one field to celeprate
a Russian holiday and Of entire train-
loads of victims locked in to die of star
walton.
Seminoff's exploit which strained his
relations with the American expedition
in Siberia was the night attack on an
American camp, killing and wounding
several soldiers, by one Of his armored
trains. Col c. H. Morrow, commanding
the 27th Regiment of Infantry, and q
brother of the governor Of Kentucky,
captured the train and in the ensuing
Investigation elected from the officers
and men q nonchalant account OF muir.
ders and outrages. Seminoff, how
ever, forced the release Of his sub.
ordinatee.