The Hokitika Guardain & Evening Star FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 6. 1918. CARRYING ON.

Hokitika Guardian, 6 September 1918, Page 2

The Hokitika Guardain & Evening Star FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 6. 1918. CARRYING ON.

The motion moved by MiyWill Thorne at the pro-Ally demonstration held at Derby this week in connection with the Trades Union Congress is significant. There were but seven dissentients to the proposal to offer congratulations to the Allied armies and navies for their magnificent victories, and declaring a resolve to fight on till the reigning houses of th c Central Powers were crushed, 'There was a. time when the pacifists within the ranks of labour were clamouring for a negotiated peace. Mr Thorne put Labour’s view on this aspect very tersely when he said that rather than accept peace at the price paid bv Russia, lie would prefer to see Britain wiped out.' Deplorable as have been the events in Russia they have at least boon an object lesson to the democracies. Certain branches of democracies have posed as “advanced,” and have bad a disposition to carry on the Government of their country in their own way. The events in Russia should be a warning to the most enthusiastic believers in a social revolution. Lenin and Trotsky have succeeded in turning Russia completely upside dowit by the revolution, hut the state of Russia is infinitely worse than ever it was in its most evil days. Certain of the revolutionaries in Russia had the belief that with the upheaval spread over their country it would spread quickly to Germany and assist to end the war. As a matter of fact the revolution has produced a worst state—more bloody and unstable *than ever war has done for Russia ; and the German soldiery aiv still fighting on and taking from Russia all that they can, be tinterms of "peace” what they may. The French nation under its social war of 1871 attempted a similar line of violent reformation from within; but the re,sults wore no less disastrous, and some e,f the fruits of that' great fallacy I .are being fathered by Fiance to this day. Russia is paying a huge price, for her folly. The class war which began as soon ns the revolution had taken its first step, lias secured misery to all classes. The Russian army disbanded, the country has become a prey for' the enemy hordes exacting toll of everything obtainable. Russia has basely deserved the peoples round about her who looked to her for help. She abandoned her Western Allies at a most critical period, giving the opportunity for an enemy thrust- which prolonged the war, when it might, now have been ended. The enemy countries have avoided schisms and revolutions, because they know that it is only unity and disoipline which can give them hopes for success. United they stand; divided they would speedily fall. Tt is a sign of the times that Mr Thorne is emphasising this view among Trades Unionists. The same view is being expressed no less eloqnenty bv Mr. Lloyd George and President Wilson, also, to Labour gatherings. To win this war, and establish democracies on a sure basis of national freedom and national security the po;iee to ho won must, not- be at the dictation of the enemy. The Allied Powers must carry on till tliev are able to enforce neoco and secure the establishment of an international league irhieb will guarantee the world peace in the times to rome. Tt is for that goal Mr Thorne urges his comrades to fight on.