INTERNAL RUSSIA

Hokitika Guardian, 28 August 1918, Page 1

INTERNAL RUSSIA

i A stable GOVERNMENT. SLOWING BUT SURELY COAIING. BO LSIIE VIK IS AI D YIN G. (run PRESS ASSOCIATION. —COPYRIGHT.] (Keoeive.d This Dav at 10.10. a in.) NEW YORK, Aug. 20. Joseph Sbaplin, a United Press Retrograd correspondent, has returned to New York. In an exclusive interview bv the Australian Press Association lie said the concensus of opinion in Russia was that Trotsky’s power was waning. ITe was a gifted speaker, but bis usefulness was nullified because of bis over-weening power. Trotsky still exerts power in the Bolshevik councils, but bis in 11 nonce is negligible compared to that of Lenin, who is the only really strong man in Russia. He possesses great will power, indomitable energy and frequently works for more than twenty-four without intermission. He is the hrnin of the Bolshevik party, but despite hi s personality Bolsliovikism is bankrupt, and the Government is gi owing weaker and weaker daily.

THE COATING RUSSIA. (Received This Dav at 10.15. a uiA NEW YORK, Aug. 27. AIY Shnplin, in his interview, was asked: '“What will be the future of Russia ? ” Sbaplin replied: “In my opinion Russia will reorganise the East Front next summer. Meanwhile the Revolutionary Democratic Party is preparing to make up the power of Government, and is quietly re-organising the economic resources. Germany will supply the Bolshevik requirements as long as she is able to use them to keep Russia disorganised and disunited. The restoration of Russia will be hastened in proportion to the speed with which the Allies send military aid to strengthen the hands of the opponents of Rolshevikisrn. Two names are mentioned as possible leaders of the new party, which will oust the Bolsheviks. They are Victor Tcliornoff, lender of the Socialist Revolutionaries; Alarkpff, leader of the Mensheviks. Two leaders of the Russian Northern Republic, ZutsofT and Dedushenko, are strong men, but TcbernolT is the likeliest leader of the new national party. The Russians will endeavour to re-establish a line in Poland, with subsidiary fronts on A Turman and Archangel. It is established that six hundred thousand Germans are engaged in maintaining order in Russia. The ro-organisaion of the Russian front will mean the detaching of a million more men from Germany’s AYestern Front, thus ensuring an early victory for the Allies. The re-organisation of a stable Government in Russia is slowly hut surely coming. I regard the future with optimism and complete confidence.”