prevent miscreants from tampering with the rails, as was evidenced by the scores of derailed trains in all stages of destruction strewn along the track.  This naturally involved great material loss and, what was still worse, a huge toll of innocent human life.  One train, a fast passenger, accounted for two hundred women and children, besides uncounted men.  Fairly large Russian forces were now placed at General Rosanoff’s disposal, and by a wide turning movement from Krasnoyarsk in a north-easterly direction, and with a large cavalry force operating towards the north-west from Irkutsk, the whole gang would, it was hoped, be herded towards the centre, and a few weeks would probably liquidate the whole disturbance.  The Krasnoyarsk and the Ussurie movements of the Bolsheviks were under the direction of able officers appointed by the Red Guard Headquarters at Moscow, with whom they were in constant communication.

Passing Irkutsk, we again struck the Baikal—­looking more glorious than before.  The warm south-west winds had cleared the snow from the western hills and thawed the ice from that half of the sea.  The other half was still ice-bound.  In the morning sunshine the snow-covered mountains in the east pierced the heavens with the radiance of eternal day.  The disappearance of the sun only adds to their beauty; they alone seem to know no night.  As we travelled round under the shadow of these giants the temperature fell many degrees below zero, and the cold from the water penetrated the carriages, necessitating fires and warm furs, in spite of the June sunshine.

I had received intimation that it would be of service to the Omsk Government if I would call upon Colonel Semianoff and use my good offices and my newly-conferred honour as a Siberian Cossack Ataman to recall this erring son of Muscovy to the service of the State.  I knew that British pressure had been applied to persuade the Japanese to cease their financial and moral support—­both open and secret—­to this redoubtable opponent of the Russian Government, and it was rumoured that British wishes had at last been complied with.  It was common knowledge that the illegal floggings, murders, and robberies committed under the alleged authority of Colonel Semianoff would not have remained unpunished a day if he had not been under the protection of one of the most numerously represented Allied forces.  Whatever faults may be alleged against Admiral Koltchak, cruelty or injustice cannot be included among them.  I well remember his fury when it was reported to him that some eighty workmen had been illegally flogged by Semianoff’s soldiers at Chita.  His poor dilapidated reserves were ordered to move at once to their protection.  Semianoff prepared his armoured trains and troops to receive them, but the same Allied Power which fed, clothed, and armed his troops kept at bay those who were ordered to avenge the wrongs of the Russian workmen.