BRITISH SYMPATHY.

Taranaki Daily News, 24 March 1917, Page 5

BRITISH SYMPATHY.

MR. BONAR LAWS STATEMENT. London, March 22. In the House of Commons, Mr.. Bonar Law, in moving the Government's resolution about Russia, said that the events in Russia had arrested the attention of the world. In the midst of a worldwide convulsion we were reminded of the French revolution, the bright dawn of which was quickly overcast. It was too soon to say all danger in Rusisa had passed, too soon to feel confident that the new Government was laid on a foundation on which liberty could be built ••with justice for its companion, But it was not too soon to send friendly greetings of goodwill to a Government formed for the purpose of carrying on the war and confronted with the arduous task of outliving its foreign aggressors and establishing freedom at home.

The message should .have special force coming from the Mother of Parliaments. It was not for them to judge, much less to condemn, those who had taken part in the Government of an Allied country, but he hoped he might be permitted to express a feeling which the vast majority of the House shared, namely, a feeling of compassion for the late Czar, who for three years was their loyal ally, and upon whom was laid by birth a burden which proved too heavy. Nevertheless tWy could not forget that one of the greatest issues of the war was whether free institutions could survive against the onslaughts of a military despotism. They could not but rejoice in the hope that tho final stages of the conflict would find all the Allied Powers under the direction of Governments which represented the people. (Cheers.) •Mr. Bonar Law added that the Government had submitted the resolution in the hope and belief that it would strengthen the hands of the Russian Government in the difficult task.

MR. XSQUITH'S VIEWS. ' 'Mr. Asquith said the resolution repressed the .opinion of the whole Empire. The momentous events in Russia commanded special and immediate recognition. Autocracy had been blotted out, in a few days without effective resistance or even defence. They were glad to know that the form of the future Government) would be submitted to the ire judgment of the enfranchised people Russia would thus take her place beside the great democracies of the world. Britain should be the first to rejoice at Russia's emancipation and to welcome her into the fellowship of free people. They had confidence in the men who formed the new Government and were well assured that they would concentrate their resources to bring the war to an end which would justify the Allies' sacrifices. Mr. Devlin said the Russian revolution was a warning and a portent to autocracies everywhere. He desired that the' voice of Ireland should be joined in harmony in the expression of profound sympathy with Russia's emancipation, Mr. Wnrdle supported the resolution on behalf of Labor.

Mr. Ponsonby, who was much interrupted, cast doubts on the assertion! )i the