The precipitate nationalization of the banks led to an unparalleled shortage of money

Trans

port had sunk to 15 per cent. of its normal efficiency by December, 1918. Immediately after the accession of the Soviet Government a comprehensive sabotage set in. Directors, employees, and in some cases, also the foremen of nationalized businesses went on strike, in consequence of which profound hatred and mistrust of the entire Intelligentsia permeated the working-classes. It is obvious that the counter-revolution, the innumerable fronts and perpetual conflicts are totally destroying the economic system of Russia. It is also evident that civil war brings terrible crimes in its train. The atrocities perpetrated by irresponsible and degenerate elements among the Bolsheviks go the rounds of the entire European Press, which makes no men

. .

tion of the barbarities committed by the other side. It did not report how the Germans under Skoropadski set whole villages on fire, because the peasants, armed with the decrees, not of Lenin but of Kerensky, divided the landed property amongst themselves. We did not hear how former officers of the Guard shot thousands of workmen with their own hands at Kiev, Kharkov and Odessa, or how the Cossacks impale children, bury or burn men alive and plunder villages. . As an unbiased observer, who has never taken part in politics, I deeply deplore this one-sided publicity about Soviet Russia. My sense of justice revolts against being a passive spectator of this protracted falsification of history. I do not consider that the violent and partial relation of facts is in the general interest.

MAJOR

[AJOR Hällen has made a solemn threat that action will be brought against the "Politiken" because it dared tell the truth about the Swedish corps in Esthonia. Pending further developments in the matter we have gathered a great deal of material, which is now published.

A number of members of the former corps of Esthonia have already been sent to jail here, for various misdemeanors, as happened also to the corps of Finland some time ago. But so far nothing has been done to spread light about the purposes of the Esthonian corps prior to their return home, and it is necessary to inform the public in order to force an investigation.

We have in our possession a copy of a report which was given by a few members of the corps to their respective consulates. Since the report gives an extensive glimpse of the life of the "Esthonian heroes" we shall publish it in full a little later.

THE WHITE GUARDS BEGIN THEIR ACTIVITY In the month of February, 1919, the so-called "Swedish corps" began to enlist members in Stockholm. Their office was at the Hotel Continental. Requirements for enrollment did not seem necessary. Anyone could sign up and receive transportation to Helsingfors. Whether he reported there or not is another story, as several cases prove that it was used as a superb opportunity to get free passage to Finland. As there were no conditions attached to the enrollment many ignorant individuals were employed, with consequences already shown.

The promises of eventual reward offered in Stockholm were very attractive. Each soldier was to receive 2,000 Finnish marks to be used for equipment, and a monthly salary of 550 Finnish marks. No payments were to be made in other coin than

Finnish marks. Besides, the Swedish corps was to become a kind of police force, whose object was to preserve interior discipline and order—unless because of an emergency it be sent to the field. Part of the equipment money was to be paid in Helsingfors, to use in making purchases at that place. The rest was to be received in Reval.

A Swedish contingent left Stockholm February 20 for Reval, via Abo and Helsingfors. At the departure from Stockholm the "representative" there announced that another "representative" would meet the contingent at Abo and arrange for accommodations, as it would be necessary to stay there over night. No representative could be found at Abo, however, and the troops were facing a difficult situation, as none of them had any money.

INDIGNATION AND GLOOM BEGAN TO BE EVIDENT

AT ABO

The soldiers had before them the prospect of a cold shelterless winter night. One of the Swedes succeeded in communicating with Swedes who lived at Abo, and who furnished the troops with quarters. In Helsingfors the contingent was met by the representative of the "Swedish corps" at that place, who was not a Swede, however, but a Finn. They had to remain in Helsingfors for more than ten days. During this time each Swede received 70 marks to cover his necessary equipment and expenses-a ridiculous sum under the existing conditions. Twice they were prepared to leave for Reval, and on both occasions they had to turn and go back, as the Esthonian officials on the steamer declared their passports illegal. A third attempt however, was more successful and at last the Swedes were given permission to board the steamer for Reval.

SAD INCIDENTS HAPPENED WITHIN THE CONTINGENT Soon an unexpected torrent of unfortunate incidents began to heap upon the men.

Among them was a recognition by one of the Swedes that their troops were hopelessly unequipped, and a realization that Esthonia was probably short of clothes and equipment. Therefore he gave his guarantee to a firm, and the Swedes were given arms, clothing, and other necessaries. After obtaining these things many of the members of the contingent sold and auctioned them off, after which they got drunk and behaved generally in a more or less disreputable manner.

upon

It is easy to understand that some members of the troops began to doubt the "Swedish corps." Many of the Swedes therefore took a reserved attitude, both on the journey and on the arrival at Reval. To this distrust was added the rather unfortunate and extremely negative impression made by the prospective chief, Major Mothander. In his greeting to the troops he used these words: "Inasmuch as you have now planted your feet Esthonian soil you are under the rules of war, and if you disobey these rules I will put you against a wall and simply shoot you!"-not a very appropriate greeting to citizens who were still free. (Upon inquiry made by Politiken, Major Mothander denies using this expression. We will return to this later on.) Orders were received that the troops should leave the following day-for the front! Not a word was said about the pay, organization, etc., etc., of the troops. Only, to the front with this disorderly flock! The distribution of "equipment" would occur during the night. When it did occur, everyone received some kind of a coat and a Cossack cutlass of a very primitive kind. Furthermore each one received a rifle of the Russian model.

Orgies of the OFFICERS

and held at the hotel that night, but Major Mothander was not present. The "intelligence" of the officers was proven by their inexcusable behavior on this occasion, and as a result, some of the men joined the troops of Colonel Ekstrom and some left for the front the following day, having completely lost all faith in the "Swedish Corps" organization, and others refused to go to the front without equip

ment.

A few days later Major Mothander called together all the Swedes who had remained in Reval and lectured them, referring again to his right to shoot anyone that refused to go to Narva the following day. The Swedes, especially Lieut. Giuseppe Franchi, who was afterwards murdered, advised the major not to attempt such tactics with free Swedish citizens, who had heard nothing before about being at anyone's disposition, and who had come to another land voluntarily and as free men. They requested Major Mothander to write a contract and furnish them with complete equipment, after which they would go to a suitable station for organization and practice before going to the front, as they preferred to go to battle in disciplined order and after

a little training. The major considered this entirely unnecessary, and announced that it was easy to make a troop out of a herd of men, at the front. The Swedes then requested passports for their return to Finland. The major reported that these would be ready at noon the following day, when the Swedes should come and get them.

But they were not ready; and in desperation, for they lacked the immediate necessities, the Swedes attempted to enroll with other troops whose aim was the same as that of the "Swedish Corps," the suppression of the Bolsheviki. They were willing to enlist with Esthonians, Russians, Finns, or Baltic troops. They appealed first to the Russians. One of the Swedes, Lieutenant Cedervall, who had taken part in Finnish battles before, learned before leaving Sweden of the General Balashowitsch Army of Volunteers. He proceeded to communicate with the General who was commanding the troops at Reval.

The Swedes were permitted to form a troopbut only ten of them remained, by this time. Lieutenant Cedervall obtained passes for these ten and it was decided that they should go forward and form a "Swedish patrol." But in the meantime Lieutenant Franchi had suddenly gotten into connection with Colonel Stackelberg and the two had formed a plan to put the Swedish battery under the disposition of the Baltic troops. Colonel Stackelberg and the two had formed a plan to put the Swedish battery under the disposition of the Baltic troops. Colonel Stackelberg promised the Swedes a contract. But so few of them remained that their first task was to gather more men.

About this time one deserter after another came back from the Swedish Corps at Narva, with stories of the terrible life going on there. The orgies and "high life" of the officers, liquors and women day and night, unsanitary quarters, and bad food, and the numbers of loose women, especially, according to their report, resulted in most of the men suffering from venereal diseases. The end of the corps seemed near, and it was only a matter of time until it would disband. Lieutenant Franchi considered this a good time to recruit his own ranks from the demoralized Swedish corps, and he left immediately for Narva, accompanied by another Swede, named Holm, on March 7th. The Swedes at Narva were bound by no contract whatsoever, and he anticipated no difficulty in urging them to leave their unsatisfactory quarters there.

The papers have carried the "Franchi Case" and it has been the subject of common talk for some time past. One of the Swedes who was with Lieutenant Franchi from Stockholm to Reval, until his departure for Narva, and who had helped him compile the plan for a Swedish State Troop in addition to the Swedish Corps, tells the story thus.

THE FRANCHI CASE

A great number of Swedes in Esthonia refused to enroll with the Swedish corps, which was better known under the name of the "Swedish gang of

robbers." Upon his arrival at Narva, Lieutenant Franchi went to the headquarters of the Swedish corps and presented his plan to the Swedes, for a Swedish-Baltic battery. He also demanded that contracts should be written and that every soldier should receive his promised pay. The troop became very enthusiastic over his proposition and would have followed him to a man, as everyone who was not in the personal "good books" of the "officers" was very desirous of being transferred to another troop. The sudden appearance of Lieutenant Franchi at Narva caused a great deal of uneasiness among the officers, who became fearful of losing their good times. They immediately "arrested" Lieutenant Franchi and brought him up for trial. This trial ended with the chairman of the "Court," Captain Malmberg, giving Franchi his word of honor that he would be unmolested and that he should leave for Reval by the first train. Franchi promised Captain Malmberg not to speak of his plans to the Swedes again. This was the end of the trial.

However, he was arrested again, although he had kept his promise not to agitate within the corps. This time both he and Holm were thrown into jail. Almost immediately after, the "officers"-undoubt edly under the influence of liquor-arranged a "court martial."

The Swedish rules of war were absolutely violated during this scandalous trial of a free Swedish citizen. A criminal who had been discharged from another organization in Esthonia was elected to attend to the trial. Not a single paragraph of the Swedish army regulations was followed. It was a plain and simple murder.

Lieutenant Franchi was sentenced by a group, evidently consisting of drunken officers, to be shot. brought up for trial the next day and testify for Holm was also tried. It was suggested that he be Franchi. "You will probably be able to say something that will acquit Franchi," the officers said. Holm was never admitted to Franchi's trial, but was released after Lieutenant Franchi had been shot.

Before the execution of the latter his hotel bill was presented to him by the officers. He had no money to pay the bill, which was for 306.40 marks. He was told to pay it before his execution. The officers took his fur coat which they said they would sell, and apply the money to his hotel bill. Then they informed him that the proceeds of the coat would not be sufficient, and demanded the rest of his clothes. He would have given them, but one of the officers said they could be taken off after he was dead-and Franchi was shot.

THE

a very

HE Oriental Economist, Tokyo, influential and progressive weekly, says in an editorial dated September 5, 1919, under the above title:

In the past, we have often discussed the fact that our country and the Allied countries are now, of course, in the most awkward situation, unable either to advance or retreat. They are perplexed and seem not to know what to do. Yet, without any reason or rather for some undefined reason, they apparently dislike to recognize the Soviet Government. But in respect to this Allied attitude, we have pointed out that it is impossible to deny the fact that however the Allied powers may dislike it, the Soviet Government is established firmly in Russia, and its foundations are strengthening day by day.

The newspapers of the Allied countries say that owing to the fact that the Russian Soviet Government is based in Russia on force alone, the Russian people can not have the least sympathy with it. But this is not true or anywhere near the truth. Speaking of the use of force, the Allied countries are using far more force in aiding the so-called Anti-Bolshevik army and attacking the Soviet Government from all sides. And yet, even in Siberia they cannot crush the power of the Soviet party. This shows that there are many people who greatly sympathize and side with the Bolsheviks.

We call attention to the fact that the Allied nations, especially Japan, who has the greatest interest in this problem, should immediately recognize the fact that the Soviets are at least a Russian political party, and that they, the Allied nations, should perceive that it is indeed not only commiting a crime to interfere with the internal policy of another country, but it is meaningless and useless and at the same time a detriment to the Allied countries, because there is no other means of settling the Russian question than to face the facts at once.

But the so far pursued policy of the Allies cannot easily be stopped, even though they find out their mistake. At least, until now, the Allied countries have been aiding the Anti-Bolshevik party, so that it is difficult now to surrender this party to its inevitable fate, although their aid was a mistake.

To solve this difficulty, we propose to the Allied countries that they should again propose a Prinkipo Conference. The Allied powers had planned a conference of representatives from all the Russian belligerent factions, to be held at the Princes Island to discuss the peace problem for Russia. We greatly desired its success but unhappily the conference was not realized, for a reason not known. It was reported in the press that it failed on account of its rejection by the Soviet Government. This report, however, was false, as the

Soviet Government had really sent the following answer by wireless. The answer is a sensibly and fairly reasoned approval of such a conference. It is rather a long answer but our public does not know it; so we publish the whole herewith:

There follows the full text of the Soviet Government's acceptance of the invitation to the Prinkipo Conference, as printed in "Soviet Russia” of June 7, 1919.

The above answer is by no means a submission. They have due pride in the condition of their army and the internal administration has been making steady progress. It is not true, as was often reported in the newspapers of the Allied nations, that they refuse to acknowledge national foreign debts or fail to recognize their obligations or the payment of the interest. They propose, moreover, to exploit the resources of Russia with foreign capital and also to surrender former Russian territories. At all events, it is clear that their purpose is to make a compromise

It is

with the Allies soon and to have peace in their country. This may not have been their attitude from the beginning, but has been only recently assumed upon perception of the pressing necessity. That makes no difference whatever. enough for the present if both parties have the spirit of compromise. This spirit of the Russian Soviet Government since the above wireless was sent has not changed.

Concerning the Russian problem, our country faces the most dangerous situation. England has already withdrawn her army from the north of Russia. France and America are desirous of having their armies return from Russia and are attempting to induce Japan to stop this business of intervention. Unfortunately, we have a militarist clique, and the people without realizing it are being influenced in an imperialist direction. The result is that they feel that they must have Siberia. This is a grave mistake. The only way tc save our country from impending dangers at this critical moment is to revive the Princes Island Conference; to consult with the Allies as soon as possible.

FOLKETS Dagblad Politiken called on our Com

rade Frederik Ström yesterday, to ask him whether he had any news from Russia.

"Is there anything new?" we asked.

"I have just received mail from Moscow," answered Ström.

"Well, how is the situation, in the opinion of the Soviet Government?"

"On the whole pretty good, and better than ever before. A portion of Siberia has now been freed from Kolchak's oppression, and the Red Army is full of enthusiasm and determined to settle this enemy once and for all. The Red army is now marching on Omsk, the seat of Kolchak's reactionary Government. Kolchak has already left Omsk and fled eastward. Turkestan has been liberated, and in the Southeast the revolutionary troops are approaching the Persian boundary. To no slight degree these victories are the result of the numerous uprisings that have broken out in Kolchak's rear and are spreading all over Asiatic Russia, even as far as Vladivostok. By his cruelty and savagery, by re-introducing the Czarist despotism with all its methods and governmental devices, the tyrant and devastator of Siberia has aroused against him all sections of the population, even the well-to-do peasantry, on whom he chiefly depends. Whole regiments, even whole divisions of Kolchak's armies desert to the Soviets or surrender after having captured their general and officers.

SITUATION IN THE WEST AND SOUTH "Well, how about the West front, where Finns, Letts, Lithuanians and Poles are being instigated against Socialist Russia by the Entente?"

"The Poles advanced quite well during the summer, but have now been brought to a standstill and are in some places retiring. On the Lithuanian front there are no great fights. Dvinsk remains in the hands of the Soviet troops. On the Esthonian front, since the taking of Pskov by the Red Army, there has been on the whole no activity. The White Russian troops at Narva, reinforced by Noske's guards, are stationary, unable to advance on Petrograd."

"But how about Denikin's front, the South front?"

"It is true that Denikin's armies, led by Entente officers and extremely well equipped, have had certain successes and conquered certain important cities, thanks to treachery and vacillation among certain detachments of the Red Army, but the Commissariat of Foreign Affairs informs me that these successes are merely transitory, and that the Government is full of confidence, and declares that Denikin in a short time will be put to flight. This is made certain by the increasing uprisings and revolts in Denikin's rear. On the whole Denikin follows Kolchak's methods and introduces in all occupied territories the Czarist regime. Now that the population in these regions has had occular

"How is the provision situation now? Has the Moscow Government made any statement in this connection?"

"The shortage of foodstuffs in Russia is partly a matter of the past. The two most critical months -July and August-are now passed. Litvinov, Head of the Scandinavian Section of the Foreign Commissariat, has informed me literally as follows: 'While during the corresponding months of last year we were unable to offer anything to the populations of Moscow and Petrograd, we are this year in a position to give full rations throughout this period. The extraordinary good harvest now affords us great help! From another source I am informed that one can now buy, for example, in Moscow, as much meat, butter, milk, eggs, etc., as one may wish. In other fields also, the Soviet system is being consolidated and strengthened and productive labor is increasing and steadying itself more and more within the forms of Socialism.'

RELATIONS BETWEEN RUSSIA AND SWEDEN "Is anything mentioned about the relations between Russia and Sweden: What is the attitude of the Soviet Government on this matter?”

"Swedish industry has not succeeded in cutting a breach in the blockade and probably the navigation period will be lost for this year. The consequences of this will hit Sweden just as hard as Russia. The policy of Socialist Russia should be directed towards a shaping of the foreign relations as to make the inconveniences of the blockade, as well as the isolation of Russia, strike the other countries in the fullest possible manner. Until the neutral states broke off their relations with Russia, the citizens of these states enjoyed special privileges. After breaking off relations, these privileges were gradually curtailed and their supplies in Russia were put on the same footing as those of native capitalists, i. e., they were subject to requisitions. The delegation of the Danish Red Cross was deprived of its special privileges for the protection of foreigners, since several of its members had been caught in counter-revolutionary activity, conducting anti-Bolshevik propaganda among the Russian prisoners of war whom they accompanied on their trip home from Denmark by way of Finland. In fact, they were conducting a recruiting campaign for the White Guards under Yudenich and Denikin. In addition, the Danish

"Well, how about the Swedes over there; how are they acting, what is their position?"

"It is clear that when the Swedish Government so

brutally severed its relations with Socialist Russia and banished the Bolsheviks from Sweden, this was not without consequences for Swedes in Russia, who had been very popular before that. I have, of course, done all that I have been able to, to help them, and have often written to Moscow to learn about their situation and only a few days ago tried to obtain permission for forwarding provisions to them from Sweden. But it is exceedingly difficult to get anything done, partly because the telegraph is shut off, and partly because the Scandinavians-some of them at least-in Russia are acting very badly. Thus, for instance, at the time of the treason at Krasnaya Gorka, and the English bombardment of Kronstadt, a military conspiracy was discovered at Petrograd and the clews led also to quite a number of foreigners. In the house-searches undertaken as a result, as well as in the inspections of the former foreign consulates, a very extensive material was found. Thus, for example, in the Swiss consulate at Petrograd and in the Danish consulate at Moscow, plans were found for a military conspiracy, extensive lists of counter-revolutionary agents in the Red Army, secret reports as to the movement of our troops and our provision depots, etc. Fortunately such gross violations have not been found in the case of Swedes. But considerable supplies were found, as well as valuables and money which the Russian bourgeoisie had delivered to Swedish officers for preservation, and had thus sought to withhold from the state. In this connection a number of Swedes were also arrested, but were almost all immediately freed again, although their trials were still in progress. While these trials are coming on, they are forbidden to leave the country. The Soviet Government is willing to send a Red Cross delegate to Sweden to deliberate with the Swedish Government as well as with the other governments, concerning the regulations of the questions involved in the status of foreigners in Russia."

-From a recent number of Politiken, Stockholm.