  
|
a
story by
Michael Cuanach
> bio
Translated from a Letter Sent from Vladivostok
by a French Officer, 1919
A year ago my brother-in-law, who works in the field of gentrifying
old neighborhoods in New York, found some letters, written in French,
in an abandoned apartment building, and asked me to translate them.
My French, however, is not so good so the translation is not exactly
a translation.
|
|
At
a Russian barracks called the Riviera near Vladivostok
March 19, 1919
|
Dear
everyone, It is finally ….to give you my news in a certain fashion…
As I said in my letter of February, the (Name of boat - Tomax?)
is already at the dock.
This embarkation is going to happen immediately.
There was nothing yesterday but then all our baggage and our gear….
to the Riviera and…a train.. will carry us there in an hour. I have
had a pleasant surprise!
The immense barracks lie in a valley with stations and diverse stores.
The …who
dominate the seaside and the bay… in the village can all be found
within twelve
kilometers .
I have no fear of finding barracks life... I would say it is perfect
but…
I have the feeling that we are at the beginning of a (constitutional?)
drive…important
militarily and internationally.
It is a true novel but an actual situation and the Allied organization
(blurred) !
Something in our newspapers does not give good sense here
and the need will be there
the need is great for a unique order and …I believe by the Japanese!
The Americans are content to do business. (Business is business.)
And we…. too much of the world.
The French are near us in Omsk and same plus less or organize a
badly defined front on
the coast of the Aral Sea.
They are all more active than the British who are not as bad as
the Canadians.
The town presents a curious aspect with the (Tajiks?), the
Italians, the free Russians…
I find these races almost as curious as the Japanese and the Chinese.
The police are assured by the international detachment and all is
calm.
Up to fifty kilometers from the city.
The cannon (or trucks) of the Allied fleet inspire great respect.
In this fashion all regard them as watch dogs (literally earthenware
dogs)
and regret the trading of one for the other…
The population appears to be majority Bolshevik but not able to
say because the Allies
provide them with food and without them, they will be in a famine.
Life is made very simple for the Europeans and Americans who have
a beneficial exchange rate.
The ruble goes at this moment …eleven… one hundred fifty francs
is worth more than 300 rubles.
We are rich gentleman in this court here…and the high life is for
us very cheap.
Diverse rumors circulate and are all about the situation in general.
In all cases elementary precautions border on preventing an attack
on the city but not far….
Near Karbine but further than Omsk(?)
The security of the railroad is confronted by small detachments
that get on the train in a hunt for loot.
Those people disperse when they pass through (blurry)
they arrive and wait for rear attacks on the food or the munitions
trains.
Because of this it is necessary to escort them all.
The travel service is organized almost all the way to Karbine but
not quite that far.
The scheduling is irregular and …..
The biggest job of the soldiers who preceded us is to protect these
trains and their passengers.
Others drive the trucks and the autos that come from America.
I ignore in this fashion absolutely that which lies ahead…stay here
for now at first.
Here it may not be interesting but it is peaceful…
To go to Vladivostok or depart from Omsk but again it is necessary
to arrive in order to leave for France.
If I am here, there are two routes, the Orient Express to Marseille
and the return via San Francisco, going backwards.
If I am in Omsk the return will be via the Black Sea and the Mediterranean
after leaving from Odessa.
One way or another, it will take me at least 45 to 50 days and it
is impossible for me to foresee where or when from here.
In any case, don't worry about me.
The temperature is that of a normal winter at home.
Yesterday there was a little snow but today the weather is clear
and dry.
Good food.
Good lodging.
Heat and warm clothes.
I am able to await the return with patience.
I hope this letter finds you all in good health, Papa, Mama (or
Emma?), Emmanuelle,
Lea, and the little ones. In any case, I send to you all my greatest
affection and despite the distance, the greatest kisses from your
son and brother.
(Signature illegible )
|
|
