The searching of Russian officers' and colonists' houses and quarters commenced, open relations with the Bolsheviki followed and arrest and beatings became common.

The Russian officers formed a secret detachment of sixty men so that they could defend themselves.

However, in this detachment disagreements soon sprang up between Lieutenant-Colonel M.M.

Michailoff and some of his officers.

It was evident that in the decisive moment the detachment must separate into factions.
We foreigners in council decided to make a thorough reconnaissance in order to know whether there was danger of Red troops arriving.