Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1924-11-06
Mountain Border of Europe,
Never Content With Russ
Rule, Now OVerrun With
Plots and Counter-PIOtS
BY GEORGE BRITT

NEW YORK, Nov. IA revolt OIL
pot-shooting mountaineers on the
border of Europe and Asia carries
more dynamite against the Russian
Soviet state than all the wars and
the plots of hostile powers since
Bolshevism became a bugbear.
This impression one gets from a
talk with rotund, smiling DIR. Vaslll
d. Dumbadze, diplomatic and bust
ness representative in America for
Georgia, Azerbaijan and the other
confederated Caucasion republics.
For two months, little noticed by
the world, these states have been in
fierce and desperate revolt against
overwhelming Russian domination.
They have thrown off the Russian
grin on the rich Baku oil fields, ac-
cording to DIR. Dumbadze, disputed
for control of the capital city of
Tiflis and crowded the enemy about
the basic port of Batoum.
independence Near
eve have excellent prospects for
establishing our independence,
declares DR.. DumbadZe.
Georgia is the same land as the
ancient Colchis, to which Jason in
the Greek myth came in search of
the Golden Fleece. 1T is a golden
storehouse today, the Baku oil fields
yielding normally more than 50,00O,-
600 barrels a year, and the manga
nese mines producing more than
half the worlds output of that
mineral.
A woman, according to the myth,
helped Jason to the Golden Fleece.
1t was another woman, and no myth
for the presence here of this mod
ern argonaut from the land of
Colchis.
DIR. Dumbadze under the old ear
list regime had been on the staff OF
Count VOronzoff, viceroy of the eau
casus. He was arrested in Kiev in
the summer of 1919 as an enemy of
the new Soviet government.
Freed After Death Order
After two months in prison, he
was sentenced to death, the court
apologizing that the regular execu-
ton day was 48 hours ahead and
he would have to wait for the cere-
mony.
The following morning, however,
a Russian general came and liberat-
ed the prisoner.
THE general was an admirer of a
lady [ had some acquaintance with
an actress" says the diplomat. "She
told him he would have to save my
life or she would have nothing to do
with him. AS soon as l got out OF
prison | left town, with much graft
tude to the general and the lady
Romance and picturesque incident
crowd the Caucasian stage. The ma
tives there have maintained their
distinctive customs and usually their
independent sovereignty through the
centuries The hill jewellers still go
out to battle in medieval chain ar
NOR, but they also are fierce horse
men and deadly rifle shots. Their
leader is Prince Cholokashwih.
Defense Position Ideal
1t is impossible for the invading
Russians to attack them overland
for child with machine gun could
block any mountain pass against an
army 1t is an ideal position for
defensive guerilla warfare. Russia
will exert the greatest effort, how
ever, to retain the prize. Loss of
the territory would be a staggering
blow.
Caucasia is perhaps the most at
tractive bit of collateral security
Russia has FOR making international
loans The revolt already has in
terrupted negotiations which were
in progress with England and France
for a loan to the Soviets. The in