Evening Republican, Volume 22, Number 165, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 15 July 1919 — BOLSHEVIKI LEFT DEATH IN WAKE [ARTICLE]

BOLSHEVIKI LEFT DEATH IN WAKE

Murdered Civic Leaders and Sacked Homes Before Quitting Riga. 15,000 ILL FROM STARVATION Captain Forman Makes an Official Report on Conditions to the American Relief Administration — No Bread for Weeks. New York. —Before the bolshevists abandoned Riga they murdered most of the civic leaders, played machine guns on the persons in one prison and sacked the homes of the wealthy, according to an official report received here by the American relief administration. This report, made by Capt. Howell Forman, head of the administration’s Baltic "mission, and forwarded., by Herbert Hoover, director general of the organisation, asserted that inhabitants, of Riga, heartened by the arrival of American supplies, had turned on their oppressors and now were hunting down bolshevists and executing many daily. The report warned that “a large radical element is left in the population, and failure of the authorities to provide food until the city can get on its feet again might lead them, with the assistance of the bolshevists still In hiding, to attempt another uprising.” Even with the arrival of American supplies food conditions were pictured as distressing. “Roof rabbits”-—bol-shevik for house cats—are bringing almost prohibitive prices, as they are virtually the only form of meat available. 15,000 Persons 111. Captain Forman reported that 187,000 persons—nearly 15,000 of whom are seriously 111 from typhus, effects of starvation and other causes —are receiving a meal a day from 50 American kitchens, while American bread is being distributed from 90 depots. With an epidemic of dysentery feared In the approaching warm season. American medical experts are studying the situation to decide what foods are most urgently needed. ••Before the bolshevists abandoned the city they opened the doors of one prison and drove the prisoners into the yard, where machine guns played upon them,” said Captain Forman’s report. “The bodies of seven clergymen a number of women were found', when troops entered Hie city. “Under the bolshevik reign occupants of handsome residences were moved into slums and- hordes of ruf- 1 bans invaded richly furnished apartments. Houses of the wealthy were ransacked and furniture, clothing and Jewelry shipped into the interior. “To be well dressed in Riga today Is dangerous, A £rlm local jest says

if a man Is well dressed he is a bolshevik ; if in rags he is harmless.’ “The bolshevik* divided the population into three classes for distribution of food. To receive this daily ration applications had to be made for cards, but as applicants were often thrown into prison instead of receiving cards, many were frightened into staying away and starving. —— —•• No Bread for Weeks. “Feeble men and women stood In line for hours to receive their rations, and often there was no bread for When there was any extra food, such as meat, fats or vegetables, bolshevik commissaries were the only

ones to benefit. No food was to be had in open markets. “The bolshevik ration being insufficient the inhabitants either starved, or if they had property, exchanged Jewelry or clothing for bits of food smuggled into the city by peasants from the country. Exorbitant prices were demanded. Bright-hued bolshevik currency, printed In vast .quantities, was thrown about in the streets, being, practically valueless. “Curious crowds still gather on the water front at Libaii watching white flour unloaded from American ships of the American relief administration. Women and children In warehouses pinch flour from the floor and eat it raw from their finger tips. Stevedores scrape lumps of wet flour from ship decks and secrete it in bootlegs. “A little meat is on sale at prohlbl five prices. House cats are sold undei the more appetizing title of ‘roof rabbit.’ After five years of war and bolshevism the population is reduced from 12,000 to 4,000.