The Daily News. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 16, 1917. A CLOUD ON THE HORIZON.

Taranaki Daily News, 18 April 1917, Page 4

The Daily News. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 16, 1917. A CLOUD ON THE HORIZON.

The position of the Allies was never stronger than at present. The British and French are driving the enemy from enormously strong positions which were' regarded as impregnable, and punishing him unmercifully in the process, hut there is one cause for anxiety—the Russian situation. Last meek the world was startled by the news from Pctrograd that the Provisional Government had decided to give up the thought of Constantinople, but later came n contradiction oi the statement, indicating a conflict of opinion between the Government and the Council of Workmen and Soldiers. The latter organisation was appointed during the early days of the .revolution to advise and assisi; the Provisional Government, but, judging from later messages it seems to have become a supreme Council of State—another case of the tail wagging the dog. It is not a matter of vital concern to the Allies if .Russia renounces her ambition to hold the gates of tlio Golden Horn, so long as the Turks are expelled, but it is hard to believe f.lni the thinking Russian people have given up the centurieseld desire to obtain a warm-water outlet for the Empire. But it is a matter for concern that this Russian organisation lias appointed a committee to open up direct peace negotiations with the enemy. For men imbued with such ideas to have influence in the counsels of State and in the conduct of war is' dangerous to the Allies' cause. These agitators have already done a good deal of harm, for it is said the Russian reverse on the Stokhod was directly attributable to tho agitators who were interesting the soldiers in politics at a time when their line was in danger. The committee of workmen and soldiers has since modified its views by declaring that the official renunciation by all Governments of ideas o£ territorial expansion will powerfully contribute to the ending of the war, but significantly adding:—"Whilst'the war continues the Russian democracy recognises that any disorganisation of'the army or weakening of its fighting capacity would be disastrous to country and the liberty of the people. Tho committee appeal) to the people to concentrate their energies upon assuring the army that the population will do everything that is indispensable to the aims of the war.'' The committee further denies that it had sent Russian Socialists to Copenhagen on secret peace negotiations. If the Russian democracy maintain these principles, all 'will he well, but the recent turmoil and the revelations of th» perfidy of the late Russian Government cannot help:'giving rise to anxiety. Th» cloven 'hoof is still visible—the hoof of the 'Teuton, who realises that his only chance of preserving his domains lies in dividing the Allies. Onee Russia were placated, the Germans could make • much 'better stand against the other Allies and secure better terms for themselves. But Russia could hardly play false with the Allies that have done so nrach for her. Even the initiation of peace terms on her -part would be a breach of the Pact of London, which stipulates a joint peace, and to which all the Great Powers warring against Germany—excepting America, which will probably also sign soon—are signatories. A celebrated general recently stated that the Allies, with their powerful artillery and extraordinarily effective shells, and their superiority in men, could smash through at any place along the Western line and at any time, but the point was, could Russia hold? Until she could move forward and fully extend the armies arrayed agajinst her, the Allies could not deliver a (shattering blow. And recent events certainly do not encourage the belief that the Russians can be depended upon to take the aggressive. No doubt the Allies will do their utmost to assist their Ally, but for Russia to move forward at all her people must all have their hearts in tho war with the inflexible determination to carry it through to a su'.'cccsfnl issue, no matter at: what cost. Are the Russians as a whole possessed of this spirit? That is the question. Wc all hope they are, for then victory, decisive and complete, will soon come. The Allies are fighting not only for their own freedom, but for t'lio great ideals that must shape the course of civilisation, and any compromising with the enemy, the embodiment of evil, in any shape or form is utterly unthinkable. United the Allies will win; divided they may fail.