SERIOUS POSITION OF FORCES AT ARCHANGEL

RELIEF URGENT

BOLSHEVIKS MASSING

In military circles, the situation of the Allied troops on the northern front of Russia is viewed with considerable anxiety, and the necessity for despatching a relief force is regarded as urgent. A representative of The Daily Telegraph learnt yesterday that an American force is on its way to Murmansk, where Gen Maynard is the British officer in command, and that British troops are being prepared to follow. But it was pointed out that Archangel is the dominating factor in the situation. “The necessity of getting troops there is as important as ever it was at Kut,” it was remarked. “Indeed, the effect of a reverse there would, at the present time, be more serious than Kut was. Much depends on the developments of a few weeks. We must expect, during the next two months, while our troops are isolated by the ice, that the Bolsheviks will make a determined effort to push them into the sea before the port of Archangel is open. They have superior forces, and the fact that the upper part of the Dvina thaws before the lower portion gives them an advantage. “Our troops, therefore, are likely to have a very hard time, and it is essential that they should be reinforced or relieved at the earliest possible moment. A force is now being prepared for that purpose; but it cannot reach Archangel until towards the end of May, and it may be that the Bolsheviks will attack within a few weeks.” The splendid part played by our troops there in keeping Germans from the Western front is well known, and it is recognised that the inspiring personality of Gen Ironside, the British commanding officer, counts for much. Gen Ironside stands 6ft 4in high, has travelled all over the world, and served as an ox-wagon driver in the German Herero campaign. There are interesting stories relating to sledge journeys that he has made, covering thousands of miles, to different parts of the front, in order that he might get into close touch with his men. His efforts have had an excellent effect, but it is realised that a greater stimulant to the troops will be the knowledge that they are to be reinforced. It is pointed out that a withdrawal at the present time is impossible, and that there cannot be a departure of troops from Murmansk until there is a withdrawal from Archangel, where the British troops, about equivalent to a British division, preponderate. The feeling in military circles is that the public should appreciate the need for the immediate dispatch of reinforcements. In regard to recent Bolshevik operations in Northern Russia, after the thaw on the Pinega front the Bolsheviks undertook an attack on our line to the east and south-east of the town, and drove outposts from two villages. They admit having been driven out of one of these villages by our counter-attack, which has been pressed well beyond our original lines. On the remainder of the front the situation is quiet, but the Bolsheviks are massing for an attack when spring sets in. It should be remembered that, with the spring and the thaw, the facilities at the disposal of the Bolsheviks – who have available for operations in North Russian waters over seventy river craft of various kinds, most of which are, or can be, armed – will enable them to carry out a serious attack against the Allied lines at Murmansk and Archangel. During the thaw the roads, and even railways, on which the Allies rely for purposes of communication will be to a large extent useless. A Bolshevik attack on a large scale, to take place very shortly, has been anticipated, and as far as possible prepared for by the Allied Command for a long time past, but the difficulty of sending reinforcements has much handicapped us.

ODESSA SITUATION

It is reported that the left wing of the Bolsheviks has advanced beyond Beresovka, and appears to have reached the borders of the Quyalmitski Lake, eight miles from Odessa. The fullest preparations have been made to defend this city, and in military circles the opinion is held it will probably be found that the statement on the Bolshevik wireless that the capture of Odessa presents no difficulty, will be found to be a case of wish being father to thought. On the Southern front, Bolshevik forces have reached Sievask Lake and the Isthmus of Chomgar just to the north of the Crimea. This sector is extremely defensible, and it is probable that the Bolsheviks will find larger difficulties in the way of further advance than they have heretofore found in overrunning the open country to the north. The situation in the Donetz Basin, despite severe and persistent attacks by the Bolshevik centre and left, appears to be stabilised. The situation is somewhat obscure, but it appears that while the Bolsheviks south of Bakhmut have made progress, and the Volunteer Army has gained more ground northwards, south, and south-east of Lugansk. On the Lower Donetz and the Don repeated and vigorous attacks by the Bolsheviks have been repulsed with heavy loss.

TROTSKY AND RED ARMY

Trotsky, it is stated, has been conducting a large number of mass meetings in the Red Army, at which he draws glowing pictures of the coming Socialist State. Special propaganda trains – decorated in a manner calculated to impress the troops – are being sent from Moscow to all fronts. The director of the small arms munition factory at Petrograd is said to have reported that there is not a single cartridge left in store. The munition factories are gradually closing, owing to want of fuel. Preparations are being made to defend Petrograd in case of a hostile attack, and also to evacuate all engineering material. All men up to 40 years of age who are not liable for service in the Red Army have been called up to serve in the Militia. All passenger traffic on the railways under Bolshevik control has been suspended between March 20 and April 10. Several causes have apparently contributed to this, such as the need for transporting food to Central and Northern Russia, and also the increasing shortage of locomotives and fuel.