The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. SATURDAY, MAY 28th. 1927. THE SENSATIONAL RAID.

Hokitika Guardian, 28 May 1927, Page 2

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. SATURDAY, MAY 28th. 1927. THE SENSATIONAL RAID.

Thk British raid on the Russian trading quarters in London has grown in importance. The event was of a very sensational character. It was a very extreme step for a Government to take, and naturally would not he undertaken. excepting under exceptional circumstances. Just '.'hat was the main object of the search is not disclosed. A valuable document is missing still, evidently, hut all- Baldwin's statement reveals the neutral gravity of the situation, and the warrantee there was for those in authority having regard to the safety of'tile nation and its wide spread interests, to watch any subversive attempts to undermine those national interests at Home nr abroad. It does not appear that the Prime Minister revealed the "hole story. It is understandable that the full account has not been made public yet, hut enough has-been said to justify what was done. The result is rather ample confirmation of a state of affairs which is a menace to British interests in the Old Land and Overseas The fact that suclr extreme action was taken, and that the ultimate effect would he to strain commercial and diplomatic relations between Britain and Russia to the fullest, indicates how much in the way of national security was at stake. Great Britain has been forced by the circumstances of the case to grapple very determinedly with the menace of Russian intrigue through communist channels. It would appear the work of the communists extend even to New- Zealand, and no doubt the proper authorities have had explicit advice on the subject ere this, In commenting an the raid the other day, arid the show of injured

innocent e made by the SovidY authorities to counter or minimise the possible effect of the raid, an exchange remarked that it was curious and instructive to observe the altitude taken up by the .Soviet hierarchy uhenevei it had to face such a situation as this. According to the Bolsheik dictators the IJlvimdf letter was a ‘’forgery”; the

documents seized in the S ivict Li lion at Peking were “forgeries” ; ;

even before the character of the paper ronl'iM-ntcd hv the London police i

known Moscow assures the world that anything incriminating the Soviet Stale will necessarily he a “forgery.” The humorous side of the situation consists in this that the Soviet Government and the Third International make no pretence of concealing their hatred of Britain, and their doterniTuat ion to promote revolutions in Britain and throughout the British Umpire so as to destroy Capitalism and Democracy together. But as soon as ever any compromising documents"arc discovered and cited as proof positive of their intentions, then they at once protest their innocence and cry shame upon their slanderers. There is another aspect. and that is not so humorous, the readiness with which a section of the British in Parliament and out of it. are ready to champion the Soviet's cause, and regard the Russian intri-

gums as greater saints than sinners. There is a good deal of this sympathetic propaganda going on just now. and some of the advocates seek l > turn the occasion to a trumped up event to favor the Conservatives in an appeal to the people ! The last election showed how strong the government was in the country, and Home and foreign affairs are trending towards the confirmation of that popularity with the masses. It is hardly necessary to seek extraneous aid for the purpose suggested, but iL is necessary to quit the country of the revolutionary element, who apparently will stop at nothing in the attenipi to disrupt the country The Government has acted with fearless boldness in this matter. If was not a light task to attempt. for failure meant much obloquy. However, assured of the ground, and prompted by the necessity of the ease, the Government did ,a duty to the country for which there will lie much gratitude felt. And other countries will lie able to benefit. The information gleaned will he useful in other countries, so that once again wc have the outstanding fact of Kngland risking all for the benefit of all. The full effect: of the raid is far from being revealed yet. There will he many echoes of it. hut it is plain Great Biitain took timely action, and has done good service to the nation and the world at large.