The Dominion. TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 1918. REVOLT IN RUSSIA

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 308, 17 September 1918, Page 4

The Dominion. TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 1918. REVOLT IN RUSSIA

.A gleam of hope in regard to Russia appears in a message cabled from Stockholm by Mr. Arno tJoscii Fleurot. Few have done more than this correspondent to make the world aware of the horrors and atrocities of the Bolshevik regime in the phase through which it is now passing, and there is no reason to suppose that he is attaching exaggerated importance to the antiBolshevik movement of which he gives some particulars. Such a movement amongst the peasants would make the early overthrow of tho Bolshevik dictators a practical possibility, and undoubtedly this is the first step Russia must take if she is ever to regain the status of a free and self-respecting nation. It is one of the few facts which' stand out clearly from the murky Russian situation that the Bolsheviki have brought their, country nothing but calamity, suffering, and unspeakable degradation. It is truo that their removal would leave the Russian nation still in desperate straits and facing a dark and troubled future. Even if Bolshevik and German influence in Russia were eliminated at a stroke, the, nation would still be confronted by_ life and death problems. But it is obvious at least that tho elimination of the Bolsheviki would Ire as clear a gain to Russia as if the last German agent had taken his departure over her western frontier. An organised revolt by the peoplo against the Bolsheviki and what they stand for is essential if Russia is ever to rise out of her present shame and misery. If tho peasants of European Russia—an overwhelming part of its total population—are at length being stirred to action by the bitter teaching of adversity, then hope has dawned and Russia before long may begin her long climb towards conditions consistent'with national security and individual welfare. The explanation of much that the nation has suffered during tho last , eighteen months is to be found in a widespread lack of energy and purpose in its component elements. In the Revolution it gained a freedom it did not know how to use. The old autocraoy. was not overthrown by the spirited attack of an awakened nation. It rather decayed and fell to picces, leaving the nation bewildered and helpless. The active forces which have reduced Russia to her present plight arc German treachory a.nd Bolshevik fanaticism, But these forces would ha-vo found only the most limited outlet and expression had not the nation at largo ken so far sunk in apathy that for practical purposes it drew no distinction between good and evil. It is, of course, in tho interests of Russia that German penetration and Bolshevism should bo resisted and fought by every means at command, but there will never be really hopeful prospects of her recovery until at least a considerable proportion of her people have realised that discipline and a loyal combination of effort are vital to the life of • a nation. It is as suggesting that the peasants, the baekbono of the Russian nation, are profiting by bitter experience, and are drawing together with a common and definite purpose and aims, that the news transmitted to-day commands attention. Of such a development, if it is actually in progress, much may be hoped. .It would mark a first step towards the national unity and outlook for lack of which the Russian people have paid so dearly since the Revolution. It is at best the dawning promise of reform and recovery in Russia' that has now come into sight, and no man can say at this time whethershe is capable of overcoming her internal and external enemies and rebuilding her national fabric. The one thing unmistakably established is that all loyal and patriotic Russians are bound to recognise in the forces which now rule and dominate their country the deadliest enemies of its welfare. All the world knows that the establishment of the Bolshevik dictatorship- and the ..shameful negotiations of Brest Litovsk, instead of bringing peace and relief to Russia, have immeasurably magnified her misfortunes. Her existing condition is such an ob-jcct-lcsson to men and nations as has not been afforded since the fall of the Roman_ Empire. Working hand in hand with Germany, the Bolsheviki, whose creed is' summed up in the destruction of all social organisation, have subjected the people of Russia to a fate more horrible than that of the population of the French and Belgian territories occupied by tho German armies. Over a great part of Russia famine, murder, and atrocities have become the commonplace features of everyday life. The authors of this carnival of horror maintain their dictatorship by a more bloodthirsty terrorism than I was ever dreamed of in the worst days of the bureaucratic regime. It is the darkest feature of this' tragic record _ that,' the Russian peoplo owe their unspeakable calamities _ very largely to their own inertia and apathy. The character of the Bolshevik dictatorship to which they submitted so tamely, and the relations - of the Bolsheviki with Germany, have never been in doubt. Prominence was given in the news a few days ago to tho contents of an Austrian propaganda document which makes tho cynical confession that tho Central Powers used Lenin as an agent is order to divide Russia, dissolve her political institutions, and destroy her army. This, however, was no revelation. In tho very early days of the Revolution it was made known that Lenin had accepted German assistance and gold, but- insTcad of being executed as a traitor ho was allowed to talk himself into power. From tho first Lunin and his followers were openly opposed not only to tho Cadets, Progressives and other moderate partics,. but to tho Social Revolutionists, who went so far in cxtrcmo views as to advocate tho expropriation of private lands without com-

pensation to their owners. The nerveless submission of opponents who were at first in an overwhelming majority was n. big factor in enabling Lenin to establish his dictatorship, and the same factor has been much in evidence _over since. The crime of the Bolshcviki in working hand in glove with German conspirators, _ and in fortifying their dictatorship, now that it is tottering, by drawing freely upon German aid, is accompanied, and' was made possible, by a crime of submission on the part of the Russian nation which is without parallel in history. Until they repent that crime and begin to act resolutely on their own behalf the fate of the Russian people can only bo tragic. Tentative as it is, the indication now given that they are learning wisdom in adversity is in its nature one of the most hopeful that has appeared since the Revolution. A peasant movement such as Mb. Dosch Fleujiot describes is capable of developing with better promise for Russia than even (he most helpful enterprise that can be undertaken by the Allies in Siberia or any other part of her territory.