Jasper County Democrat, Volume 22, Number 82, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 10 January 1920 — “REDS" IN DRIVE TO CASPIAN SEA [ARTICLE]

“REDS" IN DRIVE TO CASPIAN SEA

Bolshevik! Take Port Which Threatens British Rule in Persia. DISASTER FOR GEN. DENIKIN Antibolshevik Forces Cut in Two by Lenine's Occupation of Taganrog —Menaced With Attack in the Rear. London, Jan. 9. —Bolshevik cavalry has captured the town of Berdiansk, on the north shore of the sea of Azov, one of the most excellent ports pn the sea. London, Jan. 9. —The situation in Russia is about as barf as could be from an antl-bolshevist point of view, according to British war office reports, and there are few signs indicating any likely improvement. There are two especially menacing developments. In the first place, Gen. Denikine’s army has been cut in two through the bolshevlst push to the sea of Azov at Taganrog, and its flanks have been thrust back, leaving a large gap. In addition there comes a report from the bolshevik! of the capture farther east of the town of Krasnovodsk, on the Caspian sea, and, while this is not confirmed, it is generally accepted as true. Persia Is Threatened. The capture of this Important port of Krasnovodsk, it is poplnted out, creates the grave possibility that the Reds may overrun northern Persia and occupy Teheran, which probably would mean the establishment of bolshevist rule In Persia. The taking of Krasnovodsk permits the Reds not only to control a large part of the important Krasnovodsk-Merv railroad, but gives them free access to the Caspian. There seems little, then, to prevent them from gaining control of the Caspian from the more or less ineffec five volunteer fleet. Once In possession of this sea there remains only a small British force and the poorly organized Persian forces b.e-

tween ore Rede and the occupation or Teheran and northern Persia, through which would exist the possibility of thsir obtaining control of the whole country. v Baku Likely to Fall. Baku, wiA its important oil supplies, on the western coast of the Caspian, seems likely also to fall into bolshevist hands and its occupation would provide a base for further operations against the rear of Gen. Deniklne’s hard pressed right wing. Recently It was reported that Baku, on the Caspian, and Batum, on the Black sea, had been occupied by the British. Persia, as a result of its new treaty, is now virtually a British protectorate. If the Bolshevist reports be true, Gen. Deniklne has suffered a considerable disaster, for not only have the reds severed all communication between his left and right wings, but, they have captured large quantities of war material, including much that was sent to him by the allies. There Is little hope held out here that, deprived of these supplies, the Deniklne forces can hope to make a resistance that would prove effective against the overwhelming red army.