The Dominion. THURSDAY, MAY 2. 1913. NEW DEVELOPMENTS IN RUSSIA

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 191, 2 May 1918, Page 4

The Dominion. THURSDAY, MAY 2. 1913. NEW DEVELOPMENTS IN RUSSIA

Events of .unusual importance seem to be stirring in Russia, but in the news thus far received there aro two distinct lines of suggestion between which it is impossible meantime to distinguish with) any confidence. Some reports imply that sane and patriotic elements of the Russian population have organised a counter-revolution at Pctrograd, but one of the latest messages in hand shows that in London it is suspected that Germany is _ preparing some new _ coup. This is by no means improbable. Germany is. actively engaged in dismembering Russia, but at the same time she loudly professes that her military occupation is maintained largely with a view to assisting tho restoration of orderly conditions. The idea of fomenting a counter-revolu-tion aiming at the restoration of tho Russian monarchy may appeal to tho Teutonic militarists as tending to develop this pretence and as j serving their interests in other ways. Germany financed the Bolshevik usurpation. She freely employed the disruptive forces of -anarchy in disabling Russia as a nation, and is still employing them in thoso parts of the country which aro out of her reach or into which it would bo difficult to penetrate. But there is, of course, no lasting community of interest between _ German Realpolitik and Bolshevik "internationalism," and it is safe to assume that Germany is now as anxious to stamp out the forces of anarchy in-' all the Russian regions adjoining her own frontiers and those of Austria as she formerly was to turn these forces to account. It was suggested long ago that tho natural sequel to the Bolshevik regime would be an attempt by Germany to restore the Russian monarchy, preferably by placing her own nomineo on tho throne. It has been stated in this connection that tho Red Guards, at first raised by the Bolsheviki mainly from among' their own partisans, were given pay and privilege on such an extravagant scalo that the organisation soon attracted many former police officials 01 secret agents, or members of the "Black Hundred"—monarchists to a man. With matters so arranged the transformation of the German-directed forces in Russia may be much easier than a surface view of events would suggest. On all grounds any early attempt to restore the monarchy which takes shape in Northern Russia, is much mora likely to bo inspired and controlled by Germany in furtherance of her schemes of conquest and exploitation than by Russian patriots. As to what has actually happened our information is as yet incomplete and inconclusive, but it should not be overlooked that the ono report explicitly mentioning an attempt by General Alexiekf and some of the foremost leaders of the Constitutional Domocrats to organise a counter-rovolution aiming at the restoration of the monarchy lias como through. German channels. It is certainly impossible to accept at its face value a Pctrograd mes-i sage which declares that Russia is proparing to ro-entc-r the war and that the Pan-Executive Council is framing plans under which it hopes, by a general measure of conscription and by calling into service the best army officers, to raise a largo army in t°.n months. Taking reasonable account of conditions known to exist in Russia it is impossible to ontertain serious hopes of her playing any very important part in the war ten months hence, or even after a considerably longor interval. The spirit of patriotism is by no means dead in Russia, and over a great part of the country loyal forces are making head against the Bolsheviki and resisting the operation of German intriguo. It is possible that in South-Lastern Russia and in the Caucasus these forces may play an active and useful part in the later stages of the war. But as a nation Russia is in worst possible coiiv dition to organise such a military effort as is foreshadowed in the message under notice. The mighty army which existed as an organised and disciplined force prior to the Revolution is now represented chiefly by millions of soldiers trekking homeward through territory already famine-stricken and subjected by their passage- to a still more terrible fate. Only too many of its , best officers will never again bn called into service, for'the sufficient reason that they we.ro barbarously murdered. A great part of tho equipment of the, Russian armies, including much materia] supplied by the Allies, baa been abandoned to tho Gorman3. War and other industries have been brought, to a standstill or reduced to a state of chaotic disorganisation. All Northern Russia is seriously short of food, and the railway transport system has practically

broken down. A. great part of the rolling slock is destroyed or onl of repair, the trained railway workers have been scattered, and according to a recent rcpovt the Uussinn mines aro only producing about ten per cent, of Hie amount of coal tlwt would be needed (o keep the railways running.

The one hopeful feature as mailers stand is that while Germany has been enabled to freely work her will in Northern and Central Russia, and is no doubt in a position to further extend her influence in these regions, she lias been able to attempt little against the sane and patriotic Russian elements in South Russia, the Ukraine, the South-Eastern Federation, Siberia, and tho Caucasus. In all these regions tkie predominant, though not, of course, the universal, attitude _ is one of rooted and uncompromising opposition and hostility to tho .Bolshevik usurpation and determination never to accept the infamous peace conditions imposed by Germany. Even if it should appear, as it possibly may, that Germany is about to extend her exploitation of .Russia, by organising a bogus counter-revolution, perhaps by establishing a puppet monarch at Petrograd, these loyal forces will ultimately have to be reckoned with. It is unlikely that they will be able to take military action against Germany on any great scale, but even as matters stand it is evident that real end tangible opposition is being offered to the extension of German influence And domination, and this is of capital importance, not only in its immediate aspect, but an it bears upon the possibilities of peace. Fantastic hopes of tho miraculous revival of Russia as a belligerent must be dismissed, but it is still possible to hope that when the Allies emerge victorious from the titaulc strugglo in the West they will find Russia as a nation capable of cooperating to reconstitute Eastern Europo in such a manner as will do justice to the races immediately concerned, and safeguard tuc future peace of the world.