President of White Russia commits suicide after "purge". Alexander Cherviakoff, President of the Soviet Republic of White Russia, which borders on Poland, reported from Moscow to have committed suicide. The report followed statements at the White Russian Communist Party conference at Minsk, that the president and members of the Cabinet of the Republic were involved in spying and wrecking activities, and that a "purge" was in progress. Official explanation of suicide is: "family reasons". Photo shows: Alexander Cherviakoff, a recent picture [Aliaksandr Charviakou / Alexander Chervyakov - leader of the Communist Party of Byelorussian Soviet Socialist Republic / Belorussia / now Belarus]. 17 June 1937