The Czechoslovak Review/Volume 3/From the "Ceskoslovensky Dennik"

From the “Ceskoslovensky Dennik”

published in Ekaterinburg by the Russian Branch of the Czechoslovak National Council.

A few copies of the daily paper published in Russia by the Czechoslovak leaders have reached America. All the copies are from the middle of October. A few items of interest are herewith translated:

When will the Allies come? This is a question about which most of our soldiers talk, it is a question which interests us all and the solution of which we have been expecting ever since communication was opened with the east.

We received the answer: Help will come, help in arms and equipment, helf of the Allied armies. Some of the Allied units are already marching toward our western Russian front . . . . As soon as communication was established with Vladivostok, it became plain that there is not unity among the Allies with regard to the extent of help which is to be given to new Russia in its effort to liberate and unite all Russian territory . . . . . America expressed the fear that sending a considerable force to the Russian front would mean a weakening of its support on the French front, which is deemed the decisive front. Japan would be more ready to participate in the fight here, but Japan follows the wishes of America. So it is necessary to go on negotiating, explaining, demonstrating. We do not beg for help. We do not need to beg. We did our duty, honorably and thoroughly, we did more than could be demanded of us, and now its up to the other Allies to hold what we have liberated.

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The All-Siberian Convention of the Social Revolutionary party which met for the first time since the fall of Bolshevik tyranny send greetings to the noble Czechoslovak Army which united closely its aspirations with fate of Russian revolution and rendered wonderful services to the idea of democracy.

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Our scouts near Samara captured a German spy in whose diary recards among other things his personal expenses for one day:

Barber 13 rubles, chocolate 109 r., bag 60 r., tailor 42 r., cigars 317 r., cab 24 r., rubber heels 18 r., sister (?) 31 r., repairs of camera 18 r., boat ride 20 r., theatre 99 r., picture show 20 r., news papers 412 r.; total of expense 812 rubles 50 kopeks for one day.

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Mobilization in Krasnoyarsk was carried through with some difficulty, but about 80 percent of the men are now under arms. Some of the country places refused to furnish recruits, but were forced to comply. In Achinsk the recruits were not sent to mobilization point and nobody bothered about getting quarters for them here or feeding them, as the local commander was a drunkard. The recruits decided to go home, but have since ben mobilized again.

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Upon the occasion of a dinner given by the municipal government of Cheljabinsk to the newly formed All-Russian government, Bohdan Pavlu, vice-president of the Russian Branch of the Czechoslovak National Council, said in part: “We met in this city four months ago to decide whether we should in compliance with orders from Berlin surrender to the Bolsheviki and allow ourselves to be sent back to prison camps. We decided unanimously to continue our struggle for freedom. Right the next day after we disarmed Bolshevik troops we had to face the question whether we should remain in Russia, whether we were justified in turning our backs on our Russian brothers in the most critical period of their history, in complete anarchy. We determined not to leave Russia until the Russian State and Russian freedom were re-established, until Russia enters again the circle of great nations, fighting against German imperialism. For four months we did our duty thoroughly, shedding blood on innumerable fronts. Now the Allies and the awakening Russia nation are hastening to our assistance; soon we will be united and by common effect we will re-establish a battle line for complete victory over German hegemony.”

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At a dinner given at Ekaterinburg by the Russian Branch of the Czechoslovak National Council to the French Consul General Netteman, the French representative stated that he was sent by Ambassador Noulens to express the sympathies of France for the Czechoslovak nation and to express its regret that France could not so far give the Czechoslovaks sufficient material and military help. But France used all its diplomatic influence to have Allied armies go to the assistance of the Czechoslovaks; their advance guard might soon be expected.

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The Soviet Republic of Turkestan finds itself in an unpleasant situation; it is cut off from the world and is menaced by enemies on four fronts. Aside from the daily talk of the chairman of the Soviet Kolesov by wireless with Moscow, talk which is heard and enjoyed by all Russia and Siberia, the relations of Turkestan with the outside world are completely broken.

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Conditions and sentiment in Siberian villages, as far as one may judge from various petitions, articles, letters from the country and newspapers, are far from rosy. The village has a very hazy idea of what is going on. Newspapers are not read, no one believes them. Mobilization and tax collection is received with great reluctance, even with resistance. As far as political ideas are concerned, two views are prevalent: Bolshevist and monarchist. All those who had been at the front, and they are many, are Bolsheviks. The youth of the village are inclined to take the same side. With special gusto the former soldiers talk about their settlement with the Russian officers and the young boys enjoy the stories of bloody massacres.

The older people almost without exception are monarchists and do not believe that things could get along without the little fafther, czar. There are also many who will give their support to any government, “as long as clothing is cheaper.” Wrhen they are asked for whom they will vote at the elections for the Constituent Assembly, they all say: “We will vote for the party which is for us.”

Everywhere in the villages is found vodka and drunkeness is general. The majority of the peasants have large supplies of grain from previous years, but aren’t willing to sell. The reason is that they will not pay taxes, there is nothing to buy, and so money is of no use to them. The Bolsheviks are mobilizing. All districts commissaries issued orders to the effect that officers who were not under arrest should report themselves. They are to be used to organize the general levy. Anyone who does not report himself on time will be fined three rubles for every minute he is late. Further the former noncommissioned officers and soldiers between the ages of 18 and 40 are mobilized to form the cadre of the Bolshevik armies.