Omaha daily bee., 1921-08-25
Floyd Gibbons Tells Of
Experience on Journey
From Riga to Moscow
Millionaire for
First Time.
BY FLOYD GIBBONS.

Chicago Tribune Cable. Copyright 1921.
Moscow, Aug. 24.-After all one
reads in the papers in the non-bol-
shevist world concerning the back
wardness of Russia, | was hardly
for the surprise that greet
ed me shortly before ? o'clock when
Our train pulled into one of the l8
railroad stations in Moscow. We ar
rived IS minutes ahead of time.
A blonde-bearded porter, seven
feet tall and as straight as a.rail,
helped our party of three to the
platform, where he deposited our
baggage in a formidable pyramid
and departed after pocketing a pal
try tip of 10000 roubles which he
demanded. There we waited tor one
hour, without tickets, passports or
bills of lading for the representatives
Of the soviet foreign office, into
whose custody we were destined
The delay gave us time to reflect
On the strangeness of the trip which
we had accomplished during tie pre-
ceding 40 hours We left Riga On
4 common Latvian train, which car
ried three cars belonging to the boil
shevists. One carriage was an elab-
crate private car with electric lights
and finely decorated interior. it be-
ing III strong contrast to the hot
darkness of the human frelghted
boxcars ahead, where the Lettish
peasants were sprawled on wooden
shelves amidst rags, squalor and
stencil that would stagger any west
crn nose.
Cautions Against Bogus Papers.
In lie1 of an American passport,
I carried receipt for it signed by
the American vice consul at Riga,
to whom all Americans must give
their national papers before enter
ing Russia.
The consular office at Riga ex-
olains that this procedure is neces-
,ary because it is feared the bolshe-
visits might counterfeit American
passports from photographs of the
originals. At the same time it is
not beyond the knowledge of the
State department that many Amer
can passports have been sold, If
not given freely, to soviet arthori-
les by Americans who have become
mbued with the doctrines OF conf
The rail ticket to Moscow cost
|8 roubles. When the soviet official
n Riga mentioned the price to me
had lust come back from the bank
md was enjoying the first thrills OF
hat millionaire feeling by reason OF
nv many pockets almost bursting
With the 100000 roubles, which
lad bought at the rate of $1,000 to
he dollar. l produced my smallest
iece of money-a 10000 rouble note
but the bolshevist cashier only
miled. ..
"We take any money but our
wn," he said. 1--WE prefer 48 roubles
n dollars"
"But in dollars, 48 rouble tickets
,ould not cost quite cent | SAID.
"That is possible at your rate" re-
lied the cashier, but we are figur-
~ on the equivalent of the gold
oub1e or just $3.50 in American
urrency. You know that you could
OF ride for 40 hours for so little i'll
america"
Poor Lights Forbid Poker.
Then the train pulled out of Riga
nd we were on our way to what
vas once holy Russia. Sitting on
bunk in one compartment, three OF
S discussed the financial situation
nd considered the possible sensa-
ions of poker with 100000 roubles
ntes and 100000 rouble limits, but
he fluttering of the candles which
erved in place of long disabled cleo
ric installation forbade the game.
Between 10 and II o'clock the
ext morning we had occasion to
ompare the Latvian and soviet from
er officials, much to the favor Of
he latter. The former during a
rotracted debate in our compart-
lent proposed the confiscation of
ur goods and money on the grounds
lat expectation of such articles to
ussia was prohibited.
The food that we carried was the
My means of subsistence on the
ain until we reached Moscow and
lie money meant life and death to
$ after that. The debate on this