FORCES OF ANARCHY.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16153, 6 March 1918, Page 4

FORCES OF ANARCHY.

AUSTRAUAX BOLSHEVIKS

DISCOURAGED

(i'KOM OUR OWN COKRESFONUKNT.)

SYDNEY, February 2",

When the forces of anarchy burst loose in Russia, and reduced the Empire to chaos, and murdorcd and robbed the middle-class people, the approval of the '"'Red Rag" element in Australia was both open and noisy. "If the ignorant, down-trodden Russians can do these things for the glory or humanity," they cried, in effect, "What may not tlio cultured, progressive Australian Bolsheviks do?" Hut recent events liavu discouraged, our voung Australian bolshevik.}. 'J he lesion to De learned from the appalling results of wild experiments in statecraft has sunk into even their limited intelligence. The olfect, in one respect at least, has been rather comic. \ few weeks ago, a number of Melbourne extreme Socialists do?idcd to sond a delegation' to Russia "to find out what the true position was." They fixed upon Mr A. W. Foster, a .young barrister. A couple of supporters, well-known business- men, promised to foot the bill. Then the ofacial Socialist Party intervened. It complained that Mr" Fester would speak in Petrognul as a Melbourne Socialist, yet the Socialist Party had had no vote in his selection. They demanded that the delegate be elected by a vote of the party. A thoroughly Bolshevik argument ensued, but this course was eventually decided upon. flien the two guarantors said that, as the Socialist Party was selecting the delegate, it might also have the privilege of payin c his expenses. Upon the wild clamour of the rival candidates for "the trip to Russia" there fell a stony silence. This was an aspect of affairs that had occurred to no one: the party said it had Jjeen ••'double-crossed "by the bourgeoisie." JiTentually. the resentful Socialists got their own way: it was decided that the '•'capitalistic .Socialists" shoiilu advance the money without inters',, and tho party should elect a delegate. Tliere were two nominations—Mr Foster, and the fire-eating, extremist M.P., Mr Frank Anstey. Socialists in the other States joined in: the elected one was to speak for "the United Australian Party." When the vote was taken, further complications arose. The Labour Party raised the point that, if Mr Ant ley were chosen he. as a Labour M.P., could speak only for tho Labour Party. Another fine Bolshevik argument started —whom tho elected man was to speak for and whom represent — and tho counting of the votes was deferred. But, sis the cables unfolded the liuen- chapter in Russia's tragic history. the voices of the Australian Bolsheviks have died away. We have heard not a word of their delegate— except a day or two ago when, with befitting solemnity, they arranged to heavily insure the- life of the elected man. The rate charged made ordinary people gasp.