Hokitika Guardian & Evening Star FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 7th. 1917. RUSSIAN DREAMERS.

Hokitika Guardian, 7 September 1917, Page 2

Hokitika Guardian & Evening Star FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 7th. 1917. RUSSIAN DREAMERS.

In view of the continued unsettled condition of affairs in Russia particular interest is given to the account of the position there sent to the London “Daily Mail” by its speoial correspondent, Mr A. M. Thompson, who is described as a hard-headed British Socialist. who has gone to the Russian capital and to Stockholm with the single object of describing and explaining what lie sees. As a Ssocialist, he is in natural and instinctive sympathy with the upheaval in Russia. But, ns a practical Briton, he appears to be keenly alive to tire danger that it may lead, on the one hand, to a chnos of confused idealism, or, on the other, to reaction. His telegrams from Petrograd give a clearer view of the springs and impulses under the surface of Russian events

than any we hare seen else where. In tho course of his mossage Mr. Thompson says:—After numerous -inter-' views • and 'conversations - wjthl people ■ of nearly everyone of tho multitudious parties in tho di- j vided States, two conclusions needful | to an understanding of the situation ! in general and of the call to Stockholm | in particular, have clearly emerged to my otherwise perplexed view. The first is that the Russian Revolution was essentially not only against tho Czar but also against tho war. Tho second is that the Russian convenors of tliei Stockholm Cbnfereieo design it not only ,to restore peace but also and chiefly as an abstract propagandist demonstration against the capitalist conditions which they regard as the invariable cause of all wars. They admit no distinction between this war : and any other; none between the j sword-rattling Kaiser and tho pacifist i President AA’ilson; apparently none between the aggressors and the victims. They do not propose to discuss the rights or wrongs of the present conflict nor to administer; justice nor to compensate the sufferers; nor to restrain the wrong-doers. They merely suggest the establishment of universal and everlasting peace and brotherhood on the principle that the man who has been smittod on one cheek should smile I and ask for more.” The Russian Revolution as he sees it was n movement of revolt not only against the Czar but also against the war—this war and ;vll wars. Similarly the Russian conveners of the Stockholm conference are hoping from its deliberations a twofold result. They oxepoet it to lead to an early peace. They expect it to also to serve as a platform from which opinion may ho marshalled against the capitalistic conditons, whch they regard as the cause of every war. The Russan delegates to the conference see no distinction between this strugglo and any other. Both sets of belligerents, in their eyes, are equally to blame. Questions of mere mundane rights and wrongs have no interest for these apostles of universal peace and brotherhood. Anyone wh.o advocates the continuance of tho war, who does not put the vague dogmas of international idealism above all claims of nationality, and who does not subserbo to the “no annexation, no indemnities” formula, they brand as a recreant to the higher gospel of fraternity which they are going forth to preach. Tho vision that- guides them is as beautiful as it is pathetic. No dream has so often allured mankind and betrayed it as tins one of a passionless peace founded on the united good will of individuals and of nations. But it is a perilous dream to pursue at a time when Russian soil is occupied by an enemy who has no thought or ivrpose but to ensnare the dreamer and destroy him. Tho Russian Revolution like the French will throw up its idealists and its fanatics and its martyrs; but before their sway is broken by contact with realities—as (it will be, unless Russia is to fly to pieces—it is clear that the AVestern Allies must “make their own arrangements” until sho is ready to resume her share of the burden. That, however, is a consideration which the Russian extremists, bent on regenerating the world at a stroke may excuse themselves from taking into account. What ought to move them is the unvarying lesson of history on the issue of all such baseless visions as theirs. It is a very plain lesson. The dreamers are thrust aside, common sense rebels against the doctrinaires, and after a bloody struggle either the old regime reappears of a military dictatorship is set on to “save society.” 'fhe best friends of the Czar, the men who nre most surely preparing his Return to power, are precisely"those Russians, whose heady fanaticism is provoking u reaction that might even develop into a counter revolution.