THE OTAGO DAILY TIMES WEDNESDAY, JULY 30, 1919. RUSSIA AND GERMANY.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17690, 30 July 1919, Page 4

THE OTAGO DAILY TIMES WEDNESDAY, JULY 30, 1919. RUSSIA AND GERMANY.

It has been made abundantly clear by onr recent cable messages that tho Russian situation is causing concern to the Imperial Government. The alternative, it has been said, to tlio exertion of a considerable effort in Russia is the prospect that the country may be dominated by Germany in a very few yeaTs. A recent statement in the House of Commons by the Minister of War l egarcling tlie situation was chiefly significant for the impression it conveyed that Russia is fast falling under the German yoke. Such a fate was, we surmise, bound to overtake sooner or later a country which is con- • tent to be led by men of the stamp of Leniii and Trotsky. How far these fanatics have already delivered Russia over to Germany, and how difficult tho task will be of undoing their work, if it can be undone, remain to be seen. German influence in Russia is no new thing. It was manifested to a large extent prior to the war, and there was too much of it during the war. The infamous Treaty of Brest-Litovsk, dictated when Germany believed that fehe had only to turn all her energy westward to be victorious there as well as in the east, gave a clear indication of th® dominion which she hoped to establish over Russia. The stipulations of that treaty were-undoubtedly based upon, tho idea, for many years advanced by influential political thinkers and writers in Germany, that Russia should be divided against herself and the various portions should he brought under Ger-

man. domination, with the ultimate object that the whole country should be made a gigantic German protectorate and colony. A beginning of this scheme was to be seen in. the bestowal of a sham independence under the German Government to the newly-created Russian border States, with a population of sixty millions. These were to be German protectorates. The absorption of them by a victorious Germany wouid probably in the course of time have been, followed by that of the remaining parts of Russia as well. Countless German publications which were issued during tlie war recommended the gradual absorption of all Russia. It is not reasonable to suppose that in the annihilation of all her dreams of western advancement Germany will abandon her designs upon Russia., Frustrated, indeed, in so many other directions, it is probable that she will concentrate upon these designs," believing, as she may well do, that her greatest hope of rehabilitation as a world-power lies in Russia. She has long been keenly alive to the vast potentialities of that country. Russia, it is .suggested, could supply her with all the soldiers, food, and raw materials which her most ambitious militarists could wish for in their wildest dreams. In 1913. Germany supplied Russia with more than one-half of her foreign imports, and these consisted chiefly of manufactures required for the development of the 1 country. During the last few decades Russia had become as dependent upon Germans for the direction and development of her economic life as for the conduct of her policy and the direction of military affairs. The Germans had obtained so strong a hold upon the Russian army and administration, upon tlie Russian universities and Russian business, that the Russians found it exceedingly difficult to dispense with German assistance when war brcko out. They did not, in fact, dispense with it to the extent that was to btv desired. The revolution in Russia, moreover,

and its sequel as we see it to-day are largely traceable to German influence and intrigue. It was Germany's policy to bring Russia as speedily as possible to such a pitch of disorganisation as would render her incapable of continuing the war and would make her an easy victim to the'yoke that was being prepared for her. Under the Bolshevists the way is being paved for a reconstruction in which Germany will assuredly hope to reassert and greatly enlarge her influence. The Germans and Russians co-operated in the*past for their joint advantage. They were drawn together by a mutual antipathy to the Poles, by the desire of the Germans to exploit the Russian State and people, and by the desire of the Russians to make use of the abilities of the Germans. The currents of history, it is truly observed, are not easily reversed. Moreover, the advantages which Germany could derive by obtaining dominance over Russia will appeal irresistibly to her. Russia is the largest connected State in the world. Her potentialities in respect to agriculture, minerals, forests, and industries are practically unlimited. She might conceivably become the foremost State in the world in tho matter- of population, production, and wealth. She might also, bev come the most powerful country m the world, so far as military power depends on population and wealth. These considerations can hardly fail to appeal to Germans who desire to see a resumption of the triumphant expansion of thoir country. Germans who think in terms of roilitai'ism and those who think in terms of trade and commerce can hardly fail to discern alluring prospects in a Russia open Do German in- I

flucnco and in a condition to admit of tho extension of that influence. Their aspirations will bo stimulated by tho hopo that under skilful and tactful management tho bulk of Russia's wealth might peacefully bo transferred to Germany. Germany lias mercilessly exploited Russia and brought her to ruin, and intelligent Russians may be extremely reluctant to fall once more under German influence. But circumstancos may be too strong for them. Germany lies near at hand. The Bolshevists have done, and are still doing, their best to exterminate the intellectual leaders of tho Russian nation. Tho new Russia will more than ever have to rely upon tho guidance of aisle foreigners. Against her will Russia may have to look to Germany for the material assistance and tho skilled leaders sho requires, and on their part tlio Germans will need no direct encouragement to seek to permeate Russia and obtain once more the direction and control of the government of the country, of its army, of its administration, of its intellectual life, and of all its economic factors. Such is the danger which is said to be even now visibly materialising. To meet it a counter-movement on the part of the Powers which have fought to vindicate the world's liberties will bo required. As "Politieus" well puts it in an article in the Fortnightly Review: "Itis in the highest interest of Europe and of the world that Russia should be wealthy, cultured, independent,, happy, and strong, that Russia's power and Russia's legions should not fall again under the influence of a foreign Power, and be hurled by that Power against the peaceful nations of the world. Therefore the Governments of the victorious democracies should devote their intelligence and energy not only to tho setting up of a chain of independent States physically separating Russia from Germany, but should ■ by all means in their power promote the economic, intellectual, and administrative regeneration of that country, the fate of svhicli may conceivably determine the fate of the world."