THE RUSSIAN PROBLEM.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume XI, Issue 3396, 29 January 1920, Page 6

THE RUSSIAN PROBLEM.

SPLIT IN BRITISH CABINET. . TREMENDOUS CONFLAGRATION POSSIBLE. LONDON, Jan. 26. The Westminster Gazette’s Paris correspondent states that it is no secret that there is a split in, the British Cabinet over Russia. Mr Lloyd George is still trying to make peace with the Bolsheviks. He believes it more dangerous to fight Bolshevism miliitarily than to allow Bolshevism to develop, and probably die. The correspondent states that without the smallest reserve, Mr Lloyd Geoige is implacably opposed to intervention of any description. It is equally clear that Mr Churchill believes that unless we crush Bolshevism, Bolshevism will crush us. Mr Churchill, when in Paris, ■ did not attempt to disguise this opinion. He, with Lord Heniy Wilson, Beatty, and Mr Walter Long hurried to France in order to put a spoke, in Mr Lloyd George’s wheel when the lifting of the blockade was announced. The correspondent has reason to believe that Mr Lloyd George is disgusted with the so-called “Loyal Russians,” who received British arms and then traded them. The pale of munitions to the Bolsheviks is one of the greatest scandals of the whole Russian business. Meanwhile the Poles have made on unfortunate step in advancing on Russia. The strongest unofficial represlenations were made to dissuade them, because they ar e jeopardising the whole work of Mr O’Grady and M. Litvinoff, who are in negotiation. The correspondent believes that Mr Lloyd George is annoyed at the Polish move, which raises the question of whether in the ©vent of serious trouble the Allies, should support Poland. The correspondent understands that precautionary measures involving certain Allied naval and military operations in Po-

laud and the Black Sea and elsewhere save already been taken. There arc obviously all the elements nere of a .tremendous conflagration. The correspondent concludes: The Russian question seems to be again in the melting pot. The situation is such that we must choose between Mr Llyod Oeorge’s and Mr Churchills policies.

LLOYD GEORGE AND CHURCHILL AT VARIANCE, LONDON, Jan. 23. Although, there is no evidence that Mr Churchill contemplates resignation indeed it is stated in political circles that he and Mr Lloyd George have composed their differences, the British Weekly, which has been considered in close touch with Mr. Lloyd George, says; “We arc so sure that Mr Lloyd George and Mr Churchill are at variance in an elemental, vital and fundamental issue, that we wish to see Mr Churchill out of the Cabinet, or at least out of the War Office. He h£s driving froce, but must not drive us over the precipice.

TRADE WITH RUSSIA. BOLSHEVIKS REFUSE TO AUTHORISE RESUMPTION. i THREATEN .TO .SINK ALLIED SHIPS, PARIS, Jan. 28. Debas states that -the Bolshevik Government has notified the Allies of their ’ authorise .resumption of trade r,eJat|oi}s except., tilt-db the- , conr elusion of .an ,armistice. They will sink all Allied ships in Russian ports; ■unless an armistice is concluded.

, SOVIET PLANS. WASHINGTON, .Jan. 22. Martens, Soviet ambassador, .at the Senate investigation denied that the Lsui», regime planned a world Lenin ■ recently advised the Italian radicals, against precipitate action. The Soviets were now strong enough to face the vrorld. Agitation propaganda was no longer necessary abroad* ,y. >

JAPANESE IN SIBERIA. PREMIER’S OUTSPOKEN , , .. remarks. TOKIO, Jan. 26. Premier Kara to-day declared that the despatch of reinforcements for the Japanese troops in Siberia was unavoidable in order to* assist the Czechs to guard the railways. Premier Bara declared that there wa s no reason to -withdraw Japanese troops from Siberia because the United States did <so t Be pointed out that the position •of Japan and China in the Far East was "different from the position of the United States and Britain. .