Harbin, Jan. 2.
Telegraphic communication between here and Irkutsk remains interrupted, so that for the last five days there has been no reliable news received concerning the most recent happenings west of Baikal. There now appears no doubt that the Chita military authorities have given strict instructions that no messages in the Czech language shall be allowed to be transmitted through Transbaikalia to Harbin. It is known that two Czech divisions have already left Irkutsk eastwards, so it is merely a matter of days before they reach Chita, notwithstanding what hindrances are placed in their way. As they come eastwards they necessarily have to leave at the various stations their own telegraphists, railwaymen and armed guard in order that they may be kept properly informed as to the movement of the trains containing the troops homeward bound. It is stated that the Czech evacuation to the west of Irkutsk is taking place rapidly and that five trainloads of soldiers are passing through Irkutsk station daily, <0 that before the end of the month all Czech and Polish regiments will have withdrawn eastwards of Baikal. There are likely to be considerable difficulties in rapid transport over the Transbaikal railway, owing to the track being in place single one and in a bad state ' of repair. Simionov has notified the Czech commander that not more than one military train can be transported daily. but doubtless this amount can be increased without great effort on the part of the Czechs and ae interfering with the present traffic.
General Janin, is according to advices frou Vladivostok, is reported to have already left Irkutsk for Chita, to arrange for the prompt despatch of the Czech forces through Transbaikalia. 3 The last to leave will be the Czech Sturm troops and the Polish regiments. The latter are obeying the orders of the General Janin and are not fighting against. the Bolsheviks. but withdrawing along with the Czechs as rearguard, - Their engagement with Bolshevist forces near Novo-Nokolaivsk was unayoicable, for they were cut off from their main body and, being ous flanked by the Reds off the railway line, were compelled to march for several days and then cut their wey through in order to join up again.
Horstess Conrvstoy-
The following telegrams sent. by General Syrevy, the chief of the Szecho-Slovak forces in Siberia, Generals Janin, Oii, Horvath. Simionov, Kalmikoff, Admiral Koltchak commanders Ist, 2nd, and 3rd Russian armies, and Premier Pepelaiff are extremely interesting reading and truthfully picture the actual Siberian situation. less to say the Russian press was not permitted to reproduce these telegrams.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.