Page:Lars Henning Söderhjelm - The Red Insurrection in Finland in 1918 - tr. Annie Ingebord Fausbøll (1920).djvu/165

 Of course, these robberies were for the most part only the outcome of a blind lust of destruction and robbery. For many of the Red left a wife and children or parents and other relatives in the devastated land. There was, however, a certain sense in transporting as much valuable property as possible into Russia. Lots of engines and railway carriages landed there; machines and supplies from the factories were taken there; a number of type-writing machines, etc., were on their way there; as much as could be taken of food supplies was dragged there. For it was the intention to found a Red, Finnish colony in Russia, and there await the world revolution which would also give back Finland to the Red.

The immense material harm the Red did to their country may be made good in the course of years. It is more tragic that the population in the parts occupied longest by the Red had to undergo the greatest sufferings. When the retreat became unavoidable, many were murdered who had hitherto been spared, and the forced mobilisation was now accomplished by dragging along a great number of prisoners, putting them into the ranks or shooting them on suitable occasions. It was dependent on a mere chance what destiny was in store for the prisoners. This is seen, e.g., by the various measures taken with regard to the pupils of Mustiala Agricultural College in Tavastland. Thirteen were taken by the Red already in February. Nine have undoubtedly fallen, or been murdered, four have disappeared without trace. In April 32 pupils were arrested. Out of these, three landed at the Red fronts. They were put into their ranks. Two have returned. The third has disappeared. The 29 pupils left were taken south by train on the 20th April, but were assaulted in the train by their guards. Twenty of them were killed in this massacre. Five succeeded in jumping off the train and escaping.