RUSSIA AND PEACE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 1722, 7 June 1917, Page 2

RUSSIA AND PEACE.

WRITING on the Russian situation and the possibility of a separate peace, Mr Stead, in Stead’s Review for May 2Gth, says:—There is a marked bitterness against the Russians manifesting itself, and it is even asserted roundly, in some quarters, that Russia began the war! We know, of course —have we not been told so countless times — that Germany began this war, prepared for it systematically for forty years! How then could Russia have precipitated the struggle? On one thing, however, we are practically all agreed, namely, that the inevitable catastrophe was precipitated by rivalries between Russia and the Central Rowers in the Balkans. As Russia now has no desire for Constantinople, her interest in controlling the Balkans has vanished, and the greatest obstacle ‘which stood in the way of a peace between Russia and Germany has been removed. A cynic would joy in the present situation. We are lighting to destroy military autocracies, to democratise the people of Europe, to help them shake off their despots and rule themselves, and the very lirst fruit of our effort deals us a staggering blow. The autocratic Tsar, at any rate, stood by his Allies; his freed people are apparently going to desert them. Whilst we cannot but rejoice that the downtrodden moujik- has come into his own, the change from a government by a responsible monarch to that of an irresponsible mob is likelv to be a disaster for us.