File 1341/1921 Pt 1 'Khorassan Intelligence Summaries 1921-1922' [‎650r] (947/1080)

The English Press on the mutiny at Kronstadt.
The paper “ Manchester Guardian ” writes “ Information in the Russian
emigre organs regarding events in Kronstadt does not square with the facts.
The revolution was evoked by internal economic conditions The “ Morning
Post ” says “ was Kronstadt actually so well provided with food and fuel as it
was said to be ? Extracts from the Daily Telegraph and Daily News follow.
The Manchester Guardian is of opinion that it is impossible to overthrow
the Soviet Government, that the mutineers proved themselves to be a demora
lised crowd—“ The mutiny was lacking in all serious import.”
The same issue publishes a report of the 10th Session of the Russian Com
munist Party, with a speech by Lenin and Kamenev. The latter dwelt infer-
alia, on a coming struggle between the former allies, America and England,
for dominion over the shores of the Pacific, because Japan ranged herself on
the side of England.
There was danger of another world war breaking out. Only a revolution
of the world’s proletariat could avert the new international catastrophe.
The issue contains no reference to the terms of the Trade Agreement with
ourselves.
In view of the new movement to indoctrinate the Muslim women of the
East with Bolshevik and Communist principles it is interesting to note the
report afforded by the paper of the ” 1 st Provincial Conference of Muslim
Women of Transcaspia ”, which took place from the 14th to 16th March, at
Askhabad. There were 97 delegates present of whom 46 were Turkman
women, 39 Persians, 8 Tartars, 2 Kirgiz and 2 European. 79 were the mothers
of families, and practically all illiterate. The majority of Turkman women
appeared with children of tender age. Addresses were made by men—Kisilev,
Losev, Shari Perfiev, etc. etc. Some 30 delegates were selected to go to
Moscow to attend the Eastern Women’s Session there and left on the 18th
March.
There was a riot attended by rifle fire in the Persian quarters of Askabad.
Detachments of mounted Red troops were despatched to find out the cause of
the disturbance. Two of the firers were apprehended. Both were Persians.
The reason given was celebration of the New Year. Each was sentenced to three
months in a concentration camp.
The issue of the 24th published a leader entitled “ A Real Respite ” whose
inspiration is the new position in which Soviet Russia finds itself by virtue of
the Anglo-Russian Trade Agreement having opened a way for her into the
comity of nations. The paper ungraciously ascribes England’s ultimate
surrender to fear of America on the one side and to the precipitate growth of the
forces of world revolution coupled with the increase in the might of Soviet
Russia on the other.
The paper sees in the treaties with Turkey and Poland, corollaries to
thnt with England and later, it is hoped, with China.
Eurther details of the taking of Kronstadt are given by the paper. An
artillery duel commenced at 2 P.M. on the 16th March between the Bolshevik
artillery and that from the forts and fleet. At about one o’clock in the night
the advance on Kronstadt from different directions was commenced. On the
17th at 4-30 a.m., after an artillery preparation from the direction of Lanskaya,
Gorskaya, and Lisi Nos, a general advance was begun by us which was headed
by commanders and Komissars. “ At half past six we occupied the line of
forts. Certain of them had to be taken by storm. The rebels were engaged
by one p.m. in Konstadt itself. At 5 p.m. the first batches of prisoners and
deserters began to come in. The attitude of the former was exceedingly dejected.”
The insurrection is ascribed to Russian Tsarist officers, who aeceived the
mutineers.