Russia. No. 1 (1919). - 45. Sir C. Eliot to Earl Curzon.

No. 45.

Sir C. Eliot to Earl Curzon.—(Received February 25.)

(Telegraphic.) Vladivostock, February 24, 1919.

MY telegram of 22nd February.*

Following from consul at Ekaterinburg : ̶

"Nos. 72 to 103 examined, 32 civilians incarcerated as hostages and taken away by Bolsheviks with 19 others at various dates between 9th July, 7th August, 27th July, all 51 having been declared outlaws. Official medical examination of 52 bodies (of which 32 examined, Nos. 72 to 103 and 20 not identified), found in several holes ; 3 from Kamishlof revealed that all had been killed by bayonet, sword, and bullet wounds. Following cases being typical : No. 76 had 20 light bayonet wounds in back ; No. 78 had 15 bayonet wounds in back, 3 in chest ; No. 80, bayonet wounds in back, broken jaw and skull ; No. 84, face smashed and wrist hacked ; No. 89 had 2 fingers cut off and bayonet wounds ; No. 90, both hands cut off at wrist, upper jaw hacked, mouth slit both sides, bayonet wound shoulder ; No. 98, little finger off left hand and 4 fingers off right hand, head smashed ; No. 99 had 12 bayonet wounds ; No. 101 had 4 sword and 6 bayonet wounds.

"These victims are distinct from 66 Kamishlof hostage children shot by machine guns near Ekaterinburg beginning of July, names not obtainable."

*See No. 44.