Terrible stories of the plight of Russian refugees are told in despatches from Constantinople and Belgrade.
One hundred thousand refugees have reached the Black Sea ports of South Russia, where they are dying like flies from starvation, eold, and disease.
In cooperation with the American Red Cross, the British and American naval authorities are rushing to completion arrangements for transporting 20,000 of them to the islands of Cyprus, Mitylene, and Prinkipo, and to relief stations on the coast of Egypt. At least an equal number Left in destitution in the cities of Southern Russia will die, Gauytier oF Fire.
While en route the refugee trains repeatedly ran the gauntlet of the enemy, and scores were killed by machine-gun and rifle fire. Hundreds were taken from the goods wagons frozen to death. Dozens were found dead of typhus. A number, after examination by Red Cross doctors, are reported to have succumbed to downright starvation.
Scattered groups of Russian refugees from the scattered armies of Denikin and from the vessels which were able to get away from Odessa in safety are continuing to cross the Servian frontier. Sometimes they are mere parties of stragglers, making their way across Servia in twos and threes, and sometimes large contingents, headed by officers of rank who have escaped from the Bolshevist menace.
One such party numbered 7 Russian officers, accompanied by their families and a very few orderlies and servants. There were also five bishops and numerous other persons of title and distinetion among the party. They had travelled across Servia until they reached Belgrade, coming _unannounced, so that' no preparations could be made for ce large a party.
The members of the party include:
General Smirnoff, who commanded the Tsar's troops at Port Arthur during the Russo-Japanese War, General Lusch, whose crushing defeat of the Austrians on the Galician front in the early months of the war made him one of the most notable military figures of the day, and Lieut.-General—Checkmaroff, who acted as spokesman and leader of the party and recounted the story of their sufferings.
Reaching Odessa safely they arranged to embark immediately on the first vessel leaving port. As the party of officers, at that time numbering over 1,000, accompanied by several hundred' women and children of their families, hurried up the gang-plank to the waiting vessel a contingent of local agitators took possession of the
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.