A MESSAGE TO RUSSIA.

Hokitika Guardian, 23 March 1917, Page 3

A MESSAGE TO RUSSIA.

From the House of CommonsBonar Law’s Spaech. (Received March 23. at 12.15 p.m,) London, March 22 la the Commons,* Hon Bonar Law, iu moving the Government’* resolution in regard to Russia, said that events in Russia had arrested the attention of the world in the midst oi the world wiae convulsion. We are remindrd of the French revolution, the bright dawn whereof was quickly oveicast. It was too soou to say all danger in Russia had passe! aud too soon to feel confident that the now Government had laid the foundation whereon liberty could bo built, with justice for companion’, but it was not tco soon to send friendly greetings of good-will to the Government formed for the purpose of carrying on tbß war and confronted with the arduous task of outliving the foreign aggressor and establishing freedom at home. The message will have special force coming from th 3 Mother of Parliaments. It is not for us to jadge, much less to oondema those who have taken part in the Government of an All.’n/] n _ ! L I 1 I 1 1. -

Allied Country, but he hoped to be permitted to express a feeling, which vast majority of the Hmie shared, namely, a feeling of compassion for the late Czir, who fo: these years waj a loyal Ally and npoa whom, was laid by birth, the burden which bad proved too heavy. Nevertheless, he could not f :rget one of the greatest issues of the war is whether free institutions could survive against the onslaught of military despotism. He could not but rejoice ie the hope that the final Btagea of the confl ct would fled all the Allied Powers under the direction of a Government which represented the people.(Cheers). Supported By Mr Asquith. Loudon, March 22 Hon Bonar L*77 Siid Government submitted tb9 resolution, in tho hope and belief that it would strengthen the bands of tha Russian Government, in the difficult task, Mr Asqaith said tbs resolution expressed the opinion of the whole Empire. The momentous events in Ra&eia commanded ap?cid immediate recognition. Aatocracy has been blotted out in a day without effective resistance, or even defence. He was giad to know that the form of the future Government would be submitted to the free judgment of an enfranchised people. Russia would , thus take her place beside the great , democracies of the world. Britain Bhould be the first to rejoice at Rus- < Bia’s emancipation, and welcome her .

iato the fellowship of free peoples. We hftV9 confidence in the men who form the new Government and feelasBared they will concentrate their reBonrces to bring the war to an end, which will j aatify the Aliiea sacrifices, Mr Dsvlin aaid the Russian revolution wa3a warning of portent to autocracies everywhere, He desired that the voice of Ireland should join in harmany iu the expression sf profound sympathy with Russians' emancipation. Mr Wardle supported tho.resolution on behalf of labor. Mr Ponsonhy, who waa much interrupted, cait doubts on the assertion of the leaders. Coming Offensive, New York, March 22 The New York Times Hague correspondent learns, from confidential German sources, that Germany intends a great, offensive on a certain front to begin on April sth.