RUSSIA SEEKS HER OLDTIME PRESTIGE.

Otaki Mail, 15 June 1923, Page 4

RUSSIA SEEKS HER OLDTIME PRESTIGE.

DAXUEJI TU xVXGLU-AilEßl CAN LNFLUENCE.

CIIINA V PAWN IN Till-: GA.VUE. In the following article, the second of the series being contributed l)> a special representative of the '• Morning Post," London, tin- writer draws some iinconifortabli conclusions regacdJug the possibility of tb<: formation of " Far Eastern bloc, which may eventual]}- oust Anglo-American busiiies, ami influence. Russia, as usual, is regarded a< Hie instigator of this policy. LOXDOX, .lime 1". l.'P to 1004, no European nation. probably, had more influence at Pekin than Russia, but the Japanese war gave her a set-back from which she Las not recovered. To the Russians, this disaster was unbearable, and the events of the Great War and the Revolution only hardened the hearts of her pokucitns In tl.-.. determination to re-establish her position ia Asiatic affairs. With the recapture of Vladivostock last October, the old Pacific door was reopened to Russian inliuence. The Soviet In now determined. with oi without China's help to regain and consolidate her previous Oriental interests. In M. .Jofffc, its Minister at Pektn. the Soviet has one of its best-trained and cleverest diploma W*. On his instructions from Moscow, depends not a little, the futute Eastern balance of power. If Russia throws in her lot with Japan, these two nations, together, will soon be too strong for- Western influence in China north of the Vang-Tse-Kiantr, while if lit: Sun-Yat-Seu accepts Russia's assistance to make Canton the predominant influence in Chinese politics, the Soviet will get a foothold all over China. That, if cunningly handled, will do mor e than any spasmodic propajand i lo stir up trouble in our own Indian possessions. a Bolshevist circular, dated November 25, 1022, stated definitely that Central Asia and Instates bordering on India are to Russia the outposto from which Soviet authority should be able the threaten England. CHINESE SECRET SOCIETY. The powerful Chinese secret society Quo-Min-Tang, has a distinct lenient of Bolshevist control, and it was the power behind the disa-strous Hong I»"oiig strike early in 1921. This society, through its adherents in Java. recently employed its rnatchinery to terrorise Chinese residents in Mala;, a. w.'l to .strike a blow at the heart ot British prosperity In that, country. Dr. Sun-Yat-Sen, for some time, uae tnis society for his own ends, a.t the Rami' time as he was corresponding with Moscow and Berlin, is to th- need of Bolshevist propaganda aseistaace Such propaganda has a fertile field In the dissatisfied ambitions ot Chinee student classes, but it would k>e exaggeration to gay that Bolshevist influence will make much headway : irnong the ordinary peasant popula- : tion. The;,- jdeals are founded .on for a sweepstake in connection with however small. They do not wish for ! i Communistic existence, but there Is j :» danger that the Chinese, as a whole. 1 might follow their leaders without I Qaving any idea whither that lead was taking them. They have a proverb Chat: "He who rides on a tiger can ' -sever dismount." and if they are wise :hey will apply this to any Soviet a il j iance. M. Jo ffe recently spent som* i tonslderable time in Japan in a per- i xctly open manner. Although Lia oh- i ect may nave been to discuss the faure of Saghalien, it i 8 not improb- 1 tble .hat Gi.-.er mattera vital to Euro>ean inflnence in the Far East were ; ''so discussed. The Russian power in I ""-' Easl '''-*• Present is almost entirely I •- Propaganda one. Any clash of arms ! lowever small, in the Far East bas-d m an understanding between Russia i ■-o Japan could not but have a --eCei ' iction in India, where sporadic unrest >r eves mutiny, would materially ', -npp :fc any assistance England could ■' rive in Far Eastern affairs. , 1 GERMAN INTEREST RBVXV3KO. i It is worth wtioie pointing out that ' large German Interests in China, which perforce were abandoned during the war, hav© entered, upoa a jer-

iod of recrudosence. There have even been hints of an understanding: between Germany, Russia and Japan in these matters. Such a combination could not be expected to favour Anglo American influence in the I- 'i- East and might even create s. solid bloc, which would successfully squeeze out even well-established businesses. Germany is actively connected with Russia in Europe, both as regards future trade enterprises, and with respect to hostility to other Western nations. Russia is seeking the recaipure of her Pacific postion, not at Japan'* expense, but in harmony with her, Both groups naturally desire lo win over a large -share of the present Aiißlo-Amc rican influence and hiterw eats. Although the partner.: in these alliances may be strange bedfellow* yet from the similaiity of their uira* they may In combination, do irreparable damage before coming to blows among themselves. Whichever way the problem be viewed it cannot be said to be- favourable to thr- prefect balance- of power in the Pacific.—By arrangement with " Morning Post."