Transcript

The Secretary of State for War said that the one bright spot in Russia was the present position of General Denikin, who was now half way to Saratoff. General Holman, who was now the head of our military mission with Denikin, had been up to see the recent fighting, and had been much impressed by the powers of quick movement and fighting qualities of Denikin's troops …

The plan of Lenin and Trotsky undoubtedly was to smash Kolchak first, and then to turn south and crush Denikin. He (Mr Churchill) thought it a pity that Kolchak had decided to make a stand at Cheliabinsk, as he had lost a large number of his training officers and an immense amount of stores. A far better policy would have been to retire slowly and draw the Bolsheviks after him.