The mutiny of some of General Ironside's Russian auxiliaries at
Onega, west of Archangel, last week increased the public anxiety for the safety of our small forces in Northern Russia. Mr. Asquith in a speech at Edgware last Saturday called for a ,olearer definition of our commitments in that region, and declared that this was not a time -when we could " afford to embark on censades for the extermination of what is called Bolshevism." Mr. Churchill explained the situation at length in the House of Commons on Tuesday. We were, he said, acting on behalf of the Allies, each of whom had undertaken similar responsibilities. Japan and America, for example, had large forces in Siberia. The Cabinet adhered to its decision to evacuate Northern Russia before the winter, without forgetting its obligations to the local Governments of Archangel and Murmansk. Two-thirds of the British troops were volunteers, and the conscripts were returning home. The General Staff, Mr. Churchill said, was satisfied that our force was- not in. danger. We comment on the matter elsewhere.
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