The Dominion. TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 1919. BOLSHEVISM AT BAY

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 22, 21 October 1919, Page 6

The Dominion. TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 1919. BOLSHEVISM AT BAY

Ox detailed examination tile current news of events in Bussia tells a Jess coherent story than could be desired. The ruling trend, however, is all one way. The cablegrams speak of rapid progress in converging attacks on the Bolshevik armies in Bussia, and definite hopes are. raised of the early liberation of that unhappy country from the frightful tyranny under which it has suffered for the last two years. At the moment of writing final confirmation is awaited of the news that Petrograd has been occupied by General Yudenitoh, Minister of War in the llussian North-Western Government, and Commander-in-Chief of its forces. It is evident, however, that a great attack is being pushed home in the Petrograd region, and there is little doubt that it- will succeed. But for the fact that the Baltic States, as well as Finland, are' tlieir independence, the Bolsheyiki probably would have been driven out of Petrograd long ago. The pretensions of the Baltic States have not made it easier to unit? the antiBolshevik forces in Bussia—only the other day it was reported that Kolchak and Übniken, declined to recognise the independence of these States—and, of course, have added to the difficulties of the Allies in working out a settled policy where Russia is concerned. Nov that a basis of co-operation has been established, however, it is reasonable to believe that not Petrograd only, but all North-Western Bussia, will soon be cleared of the terrorists. Promising in itself the offensive against Petrograd has its place in a chapter of events which promise to culminate in the downfall Qf the Bolshevik regime. Gexeral Deniken is shown to be advancing steadily on Moscow, though not as rapidly as some recent messages have alleged. According to the latest reports in hand his forces have penetrated to the region of. Briansk, Orel, and other railway junctions —that is to say, they are advancing on a wide front which at present stretches across country about two hundred miles south of Moscow. At everv forward step DeNiken is liberating rich and populous territory in which recovery ought to bp rapid once tho blight' of Bolshevism ib lifted. Aiwiim, Kot.chak, also, is reported to be fighting victoriously in. Eastern Bussia, though it is not clear that he has yet advanced apnreciably, if at , ail, west of the T.J ,- als. Adding to this that tho Allies ars apparently taking firm measures to suppress and deport, the German filibusters who have lately been playing havoc in the Baltic provinces, the outlook in Bussia is very much brighter than it has been for a long time. past. It is excellent news that General Manqix, a dashing army leader in the. great caninaiens in France, has been sent to Bussia to superintend the evacuation of the Baltic Provinces by von per Got.tz's troops. If Manoid displays in this mission the. same enterprise and iron resolution _as when his "colonials" were dealing the heights of the Aisne it should not be long before the last Hun filibuster is packed over the border or otherwise disposed of.

Owinc; to the fact that if, is based of necessity upon political and oliher agreements about which little is known, the offensive which is taking shape against the Rolsheviki opens a much wide'' scope for snecnIntion than an ordinary campai.cn. It now seems a'l hut certain. however, that the days of Bolshevism es tlie dominant force in European Russia are numbered, and though the further outlook is in many resnects doubtful, the extirpation of Bolshevism at least will be an enormous {rain not to Russia only, but to the whole world. "The overthrow of ,the Bolshevik regime means to the Russian people relief from the worst bondage they have ever known *.nd from the most iiendi.sh terrorism under wfiich they have ever helm subjected. There is_ every likelihood that under a vigorous onslaught the. military arid political organisation will crumble as rapidly as the German itrmies did in the final iihase of the Western campaign. It is not to be hoped, however, 'that the havoc these terrorists and anti-social wrecker# have wrousrht will be speedily remedied, or that Russia will be able without long-continued and painful efforts to resume her place in the familv of nations. With the Bolsheviki suppressed, the first task facing those upon whom the burden of government, falls will be that of Rcfctiiuj limits to famine, and restartins; the machinery of production these terrorists have done so mucjh to destroy or paralyse. How, In view of the chaotic ruin to which a great part of Russia has been reduced. measures are to be taken to establish orderly and democratic Government it is not easy to imagine. Much, of course, will depend u"on I lie honesty of the nnti-Bol-ulrv'k leaders niid the spirit in wh : »h they approajh th* work of > mi si, ruction. Both Dknikf.n and Koi.i'miak are pledged to summon a Constituent Assembly as soon as conditions are established in which a fair anil uniitmcded election is pos-

-ihlo. Tliist discounts such donbU as have lately been cast upon I heir srnod faith, and raid's the hopeful prospect tii ! 'l Allies iray b"Corft lontr be. enabled to enter into frank relations with a constitutional Government in Russia ruling Ijv the will of the people. Many difficult problems, however, remain open whero Russia is concerncd, and are

likely to for a, Itmg lime to come. The expulsion of (Jennan freebooters from tht; Baltic provinces docs not, of course, solve the problem of preventing the, peaceful penetration ii!id exploitation uf .'Russia by the Germans. It Is possible, however, that in the final settlement Germany may find herself confronted by an unbroken ratjge of independent barrier States extending south from the Baltic. Whatever else Hie future may hold it will be an occasion for unqualified rejoicing all over the world when Bolshevism is overthrown in its central stronghold, and this event, happily seems now to be in near prospect.