PROGRESS IN RUSSIA

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 179, 24 April 1919, Page 4

PROGRESS IN RUSSIA

At its face value, to-day's news from itussia is the best that has arrived for a very long time. It is to the effect that Admiral Koltchak, who has long been striving to establ;sh orderly conditions in Liberia, is triumphantly developing the offensive he lately opened against the Bolsheviki, and has good prospects of spec'dily overthrowing their regime. . There is a note of caution in the cabled statement that "optimists predict the complete , collapse of the Bolsheviki, and believe that Moscow (now the chief centre of Bolshevik power) will be reached in two months." If, however, Koltchak is at the head of a disciplined force, and is as well provided with war materials and supplies as reports aver, a speedy and , depisive victory over the Bolsheviki is by no means an impossibility. It counts for a good deal that the methods of bribery and terrorism by which the Bolshevik armies arc .kept together are much more likely to prove effective when these armies arc employed chiefly in overawing a helpless civilian population than.when they are called upon to meet the attack of well:organised attacking forces. The point upon-which really definite information is awaited meantime is in regard to the quality and staying power .of Koltchak's army. If it is worthy of its leader the Bolsheviki should be nearing the end of their tether.