from Nur Uwo Correspondent.
Harbin, Jan. 14.
The interruption of the telegraphic lines between Irkutsk and here since wae end of last month has naturally resulted in the spreading of numerous false reports concerning happenings west of Baikal. Until quite recently telegraph messages were being received by Peking by way of the Irkutsk-Kiachta Hine. This line has also become interrupted, but the reason is not that which has appeared in the Tientsin press, namey, that Kiachta has been occupied by the Bol sheviks. This report is evidently of Japanese origin. What—really has taken place is that Simionov's troops, who occupy all territory east of Verkne-Udinsk, refuse 0 allow any telegrams unfavourable to their cause to travel past the latter point. At Kiakhta which lies some 300 versts south of Verkne-Udinsk on the Transbailkal-Mongolian frontier there are actually Japanese troops the furthest point east occupied by the Reas being Mysovoye, the country lying between these two points being at present "neutral."
A Tire, Piva ror ras Revs.
The actual situation in what may be broadly termed the Baikal area is really quite simple to explain. West of Irkutsk and in the town itself there is no more Koltchak Government nor Government troops. Everything has passed into the hands of the Social-Revolutionists, who will join up with the Bolsheviks just as has been the case in Russia proper. Irkutek station is in the hands of the Czechs. Here are to be found neither Reds or Simionov followers. A force of Japanese specially sent to protect the members of the Allied Missions and the' Japanese residents; who have fied from Irkutsk city is likewise located at the station. The Czechs have also taken into their hands the management of the coal mines near Irkutsk and are actually using their soldiers and some prisoners of war to work these mines temporarily, in order to obtain the necessary coal to convey their numerous troops-trains eastwards. The Social-Revolutionist movement" is spreading eastwards just as fast as the Czechs are withdrawing.
Whilst the Czechs are in their midst, the Reds are leaving the railway line severely alone. Off the line itself they consolidating their interests so as to occupy the railway immediately the last Czech train has departed eastwards. As we have said previously a neutral zone exists between Mysovoye and Verkne-Udinsk. an attempt of the Reds to dislodge Simionov from the latter town having failed. at Verkne-Udinsk are to be found both American and Japanese troops. whilst Czech troop trains on 10-
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.