RED PLAGUE SPOT IN ASIA’S HEART.

Hokitika Guardian, 15 March 1926, Page 1

RED PLAGUE SPOT IN ASIA’S HEART.

TURNING MAXY BACKS AOAIXS'i GlOO.V'l BEIL lAN. The political and stiatcgcial importance ot Turkestan is revealed by the map of Asia, writes Uoloncl I’. T. Elhertoii in the London “ Daily Mail.' In pre-war days Russian activities along the frontiers of India and Alghanistau caused serious alarm, lor ii was through Turkestan that Russia attempted her designs oil India. Ethnographic-ally, too, Turkestan is full of interest and tells us much of the world’s history, having been traversed and conquered by successive leaders, ancient and modern. To-day it has far greater significance for it is from Turkestan that the Bolsheviks intend to conduct the campaign against India. They declare that Ihe success of their scheme lor revolution throughout Asia must depend upon the results achieved in India, and that this is the only wa.v to ensure revolution in Britain. SCHOOL FOR BOLSHEVIKS. The Bolsheviks have settled on Tashkent as the centre from which to launch their propaganda. It is obviously the most suitable one. since il is the capital ~| Russian Central Asia, was one of the largest cities in Lite Empire, a granary nod supply ground of first-class importance, and tut ancient seat of Moslem leafing ami culture. West of Tashkent lies the Near Fast and the Caucasian Slates; to the east China and Mongolia; and to the south India and Afghanistan, altogether a fitting location for G.11.Q. in the renewed campaign for Asian revolution. A special department for Asiatic propaganda litis been set lip in Tashkent, where the Bolsheviks have established schools and selected front the tribes and races of Asia special representatives who undergo a thorough course in the prinit-ples ol Bolshevism and the benefits to he derived therefrom, stress being laid upon the part Great Brtiain has always played in the degradation and oppression of the human race.

The schools are staffed by Russian ami natives of proved ability, assisted by <t motley collection of Indians who have been attracted to Tashkent to fill the role of trained agitators. W hen the pupils are thoroughly soaked in Bolshevism they are sent out to spread the new “ gospel.” TALE OF HORRORS.

In addition to the schools, a number of propaganda trains have been established. Those are. fitted with kinema apparatus for showing the alleged horrors of our rule in India, and the extent to which tho British yoke is pressing upon all Oriental peoples. I hey arc equipped with literature to meet the requirements of Kirghiz, Turkoman, Kitlmuk, and Sart, and trained spokesmen with a fluent grasp of the vernacular discourse lalsc and irrelevant material to their native audiences and prepare the way for the fiery cross of the demagogues of Moscow. The trains consist' of dining and sleeping cars elaborately fitted up foi the comfort of the revolutionary stall. To inflame the Asiatic mind many interesting libels are circulated concerning ourselves. It is said that the Prophet’s tomb at Medina has been bombarded, that the Koran has been cast among swine, and that we are blooil-thirstv exploiters. In their plans for the immediate future the Bolsheviks consider that by a general conflagration in the East- the British can he burnt out of India and tho world revolution will then go on unchecked. At the same time there is method in their madness, for they appreciate the dangers involved in an Asiatic flare and realise that only by continually directing the force, against •a can they prevent its turning and burning themselves. £35,000,000 SEIZED BY REDS. Bolshevism in Turkestan has derived jreat strength from the capture of Bokhara and the wealth of its Amir. To secure the safety of his wealth, totalling £35.000,000 in gold and silver, coins “anti ingots, he offered to confide it to our care, requesting us to take charge of it pending the dawn of brighter days. This tribute to our integrity slid ' cd how high our credit stood even in remote Bokhara. It was imnosrihb for several practical reasons to do as !.e wished, so the wealth of the BoM nr.au Amirs remained in its vaults, u 1: ma'c-ly becoming the prey of the BolsLcv.i-. who left m> stone unturned to sect:’- ■• In India, taking into ' •nlerauon the firmness and admit ten ~° our rule, we need have little K • ■ 10 Soviet onslaught. Regarding > :mn and its four hundred millions of peop.>. it is highly improbable that Bolshevism will gain a footing there. I ft

the past lour thousand years the'teachings of Confucius, and the respect shown for education and authority, have dominated the moral and material welfare of the nation, and the .Chinese will not readily turn against the principles that have been handed down to them through all the centuries.