14 APRIL 1923, Page 3

The trial - of the Patriarch Tikhon by the Soviet Govern- ment

is to take place shortly in Moscow. The three charges brought against him are as follows :- " (a) Taking part in the counter-revolutionary activity at. the time of the Ecclesiastical Assembly in Moscow in 1917' and 19/S:

(b) Communicating with the White Forces under Itoltchak and Denikin during the civil war.

(c) Giving opposition to the official requisition of Clittrch Treasures for the purpose of:relieving the starving pdpulation."

The first- two charges are denied, except in as far as the Patriarch not unnaturally opposed the' anti-religious programme of the Governraent. The defence against the third charge is that he objected not so much to the' principle of requisition as to the method of carrying it out. This' objection is- largely justified by the fact that the requisitions as put into practice were' practically loot by the Red troops,