RUSSIA NEAR A CRISIS.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXX, Issue 5373, 11 January 1929, Page 4

RUSSIA NEAR A CRISIS.

DRASTIC CHANGE PREDICTED. An qarly and drastic change in Russia was predicted recently, in an address in L ondton, by Bishop Bury, who, as Anglican Bishop for Northern and Central Europe, was a constant visitor to Russia before thq revolu-i tion. He said all observers, who knew the country, and 'had real information from Russia itse)f, agreed that nothing could improve until there; was a complete and entire change, which was coming very quickly. Not only was that the opinion of those; who counted themselves friends, of. Russia, but it was, shown in the Russian official press. It was clear that a very great change was inevitable. To the credit of the Russian Government no attempt was made to hush thing? up. There was terrible privation in Russia. There was. already great need of fo.od, fuel, and' ordinary necessities such as clothing, andi the winter, which lasted until March, had yet to be faced. The foreign represent tatives were thinking of leaving Moscow, because they could not get enough to eat, and there was no fuel. The Soviet' Government could hot give them special permits, for food, be* cause the populace would not stand it. A terrible state; of things exist-; ed; That could, not last, and was bound to result in a complete breakdown. The Soviet had not known how t'o Govern. Government was a fine art, which could be learned only by experience. Some of. the Cbm-, , missarjes did not know their Russia, having spent most of their time in exile. The wonder was that they had done so wejl. Their Government had been based on the erroneous veiw that all must share alike; Social life ; could not 'have stability if it drew no distinction betjveen the industrious, the good, and the thrifty, and the nefersdo-well, and if there was no security for the fruit of labour, . Those conditions had brought about the present anxious situation, and there was gradually emerging a’ Left ; and Right wing—-with the Right longing fo,r something like the old capitalistic system. So far, as he; could • see nothing .could avert an end to the present Government, unless it began , to govern the interests of the people i and let them nave constitutional rule. The great danger was the food sh'ort- , age. Absence of food) brought down the; old. regime, and it would bring down the present regime unless a miracle happened.