cers, one of whom we killed last week, and financed by 

 German money. Many of their adherents have joined 

 under duress and to get something to eat, and in a test 

 of courage they do not stand the gaff well. They have 

 plenty of clothing, money and ammunition, and have 

 terrorized the population into a sort of submission. 

 The Russian units organized by the British are a valiant 

 bunch of huskies, capably led, easily a match for any- 

 thing they may encounter, and their artillery has al- 

 ready proved its value to us. 



The Russians we have encountered are of the peasant 

 class, deeply religious and simple as children, and re- 

 sponsive to good treatment. There are no schools and 

 I have not yet seen a store or bazaar. They grind grain 

 between stones after the sickle and flail, weave their 

 own cloth, mold candles and live as close to the primi- 

 tive as the Pilgrim fathers. Sheep and cattle, with a 

 few ponies are the only livestock. Money has abso- 

 lutely no value to them, a little tea or an handful of 

 tobacco being a far better medium of exchange in 

 trading with them. In the first place the ruble is at 

 about one-fourth par and there are so many varieties 

 of paper money one can never be sure of its value. The 

 bolsheviki carry a press and dash it off as it is needed 

 to pay for food, that is, where they pay at all. My own 

 wants have been so few that in one month my expenses 

 have been just 12 shillings. 



I am fortunate in having several men in the platoon 

 who speak the language, and I am gradually picking 

 up a vocabulary myself. After a winter in Russia I 

 should be able to get along, especially as the long win- 

 ter promises a lot of time for study after we go into 



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