THE RUSSIAN SITUATION.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume XI, Issue 3392, 23 January 1920, Page 6

THE RUSSIAN SITUATION.

‘SIGNIFICANT ”INNO'UNC’EME‘N¢T

RESUMPTION or TRADE.

IS PEACE BEING NEGOTIATED.

LONDON, Jan. 17.

Newspapers regard a communique anhduncing modified resumption of trade with Russia as -c-f first importance. ‘They point out that the decision involves raising the blockade and may ‘well be the first step towards peace with Russia.

MR LLOYD GEORGE OPTIMISTIC.

L0“1~TDON, Jan. 117‘

Paris correspondents agree that no new war is con’Eenlplated.~ The arrival of the Hon. W. Long, Mr‘ Churchill, Lord Beatty, and Sir Henry Wilson gave rise to al-arrnivst reports, but these |a.dvisers were summoned to the conference to discuss the general European situation. It is understood Mr Lloyd George does not share the fear ‘of the Bolsheviks co-operating with the Turks to foment a holy war. On the contrary he is confident a year of peace is ahesad‘, and that the European unrest is diminishing. It is ‘significant that Mr Lloyd G~eorge’s ‘birthday message published in London newspapers, states: “The ‘tumult of human anger and unrest is settling down to .-.ls»sure7l’peace In¢‘ications are becoming steadily. more favourable. ’ ’

Allied measures will probably be confined to defensive action to protect Per'§ia and the new republic around the Ilajspjang . 1.-

THE BOLSHEVIK ADVANCE.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 17.

According to ‘édvices received from Tokio, Bolshcvik forces have arrived at Kiatha, on the Mongolian frontier.

WARNING AGAINST BOLSHEVISM.

MIXED RECEPTION ‘IN LONDON.

LONDON, Jan.‘ 13.

The Imperial General Stafl"s declaration Athat there were clouds looming in Asia has met with :9i'mixed reception. The \Ve'stm*inster Gazette states: Mr Churchill does not convince the public that the b'ols'he-viks intend aggression. It‘ is notorious that Mr Churchill supports a policy of crushing the Bolsheviks by military campaigns, which the Premier regards as insane. Nothing short of conclusive evidence that the renewal of war in Europe and Asia. is compelled by the Bolshevists z-..'~.i.‘rl'tion will secure support for c':-Lmpaigns, the expenditure on which would be illimitable. No one can for-see the end of such wars.

Gcneral Maurice, In the Daily News, says: The Bolsheviks will not attempt invasions unless as coun"tel'-strokes to the Allies’ campaign. The only safe policy is to open the door to Russia, and let the League of Nations investi-

gate the. facts. V The Daily Herald brands the meeting of war chiefs at. Paris as ominous, and adds: They are plotting new Wars while conscription is still law. Brit'3.in’s War-mongers are Labour’s enemies, and are making a last effort to excite the public mind to war fever by scare cries that white. women in India ere in danger.” The paper urges Mr Henderson to convene urgently the Labour executives at London. The Manchester Guardian declares that unexpected strength of interVelltiOlliSts came from America, which is scared by the Bolshevist bogey, and Wishes to lynch the Soviet idea. The Guardian adds that it has information that the American hysterics are decreasing. ' Other newspapers regard as strong the evidence that the Bolshevists intend world-wide campaigns, propaganda baeked by armies being the only hope of maintaining the Soviet system in Russia. V

BOLSHEVIK }.E;‘L,_[)@}.lS, _'f.iEE~"!'

BE ‘:1 .-‘\ VIO U R.

cOISENtI':I§AGEN, Jan 17‘

Advices depict Soviet leaders as being on their best, behaviour. Lenin has renounced é.'apijra}l punishment, and dispensed with the weapon of terror, though he threaten.»-' to impose it if the Allies intol‘Veno.

D9l'ji‘‘-'sk§' 3*‘ ‘t‘xtl'aor(lil)'-3l'):\' comm is_sion }lp.~{boun dishanded_ I.itvin'otf st‘a‘.m] that the dmacle of the w.hi+es_ woula~-pm-mat also um me. dom of the press.

PJISING THE ‘BLOCKADE.

PARIS, Jan. 19.

The decision to partially raise the blockade against Russia. was taken on the ‘initiative of My Lloyd George.

JAPANESE AND SIBERIA‘

LONDON, Jan. 194

The Sunday Expross’s T-okio correspondent states t.ha'lT" the Japanese army authorities advise sending .’f»{l,000 troops to establish a. zone sanitairo in Siberia. The Cabinet, however, is anxious to keep down military commitments. The Press opposes ixitervontion, regarding the 801shcviks as 100 .<?l'Ong.

POSSIBILITIES OF REAL PEACE.

LONDON. Jan. 19.

Mr J. L. Gar‘rin sees indications pointing to possibilities of real peace with Russia. Ho believes the 801sheviks are ready to attempt industrial reconstrucfion. The All-icsneed full light on infernal conditions in Russia. Resumption of trade will afford. opportunities for inquiry and an authoritative report.

AMERICAN FOOD CONTROLLER’S

OPINION‘

WASHINGTON, Jan. 17.

Mr Hoover commended the Supreme Couneil’s decision to lift the Russian blocade. DHC said it would result. in the greatest blow to the Bolshevists’ moral, since ‘the Bolshevik unanimity had bekzn brought by the blockade. He added that is was improbable that Russia could have any wheat, flax or cotton for export. v