Political activity of A. Adrianov during Civil War

The article concerns some little-known aspects of the biography of Alexander Adrianov, Siberian scientist, public and political figure, talented journalist, the editor of ''Sibirskaya Zhizn (Siberian Life)'' newspaper that was one of the most powerful in pre-revolutionary Siberia. Published and archive resources allow to conclude that after the Bolsheviks came to power in 1917, A. Adrianov started an irreconcilable fight against them using his publishing activity and illegal methods as well. But in historical literature this side of his political life is pictured only through scattered facts and references. A. Adrianov was one of the most active members of the so-called ''Potanin's circle'' in Tomsk, participated in development and practical application of its political platform. In spring of 1918 he contacted anti-Bolshevik underground organizations in Tomsk, at the end of April he met the delegation of general V. Flug that illegally came to Siberia by the order of generals M. Alekseev and L. Kornilov who formed the White Movement in the South of Russia. After the Soviet rule was overthrown, he was in secret correspondence with Prime-Minister of the Provisional Siberian Government P. Volo-godskii and Commander of Siberian Army A. Grishin-Almazov. The article contains fragments of Adrianov's letters that show his attempts to influence the political course and cadre of Siberian governing institutions in 1918-19, his part in closure of the newspaper ''Rabocheye Znamya'' in Tomsk. Being a deputy of Siberian Regional Duma, he ran private meetings of its members who were in Tosmk in June-July. During the Duma sessions he was the head of a joint group of the Oblastniks and non-party deputies, tried to exert an influence upon changing the staff of the Duma that consisted mostly of the members of the Socialist-Revolutionary Party and its political line but did not have any success. At the end he actively encouraged its dissolving. Contrary to some historians' beliefs, when Admiral A. Kolchak, the Supreme Ruler of Russia, came to power, A. Adrianov did not belong to those who unconditionally supported the military dictatorship regime, he critically assessed personal and professional qualities of its representatives, including high-rankers. When military clique tried to interfere into the policy of editorial staff of ''Siberian Life'', he had conflicts with representatives of the military rule. Nevertheless, till the end of his life he and his newspaper had an anti-Bolshevik position. After the Soviet rule was restored in December of 1919, A. Adrianov became one of the first victims of Bolshevik terror. By the decision of Tomsk Extraordinary Commission to Combat Counter-Revolution he was executed by shooting at the beginning of March, 1920.

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