The Daily News. THURSDAY,, MAY 10, 1917. THE RUSSIAN EXTREMISTS.

Taranaki Daily News, 10 May 1917, Page 4

The Daily News. THURSDAY,, MAY 10, 1917. THE RUSSIAN EXTREMISTS.

Favorable as were tlio auspices under which the Russian revolution became an accomplished fact, it was too much to expect that there would: be no grit in the new machinery. In every country where a revolution against autonomy has succeeded there has been found a section known as extremists, and Russia was no exception to the rule. This faction is invariably characterised: by selfishness and lack of common-sense. They are not content with systematic development), but consider there must be tangible evidence of a great change in the direction of immediate benefits to themselves. In the case of Russia this blemish was intensified by the machination of a host of German agents whose business it) was to stir up strife and ibring about a state of chaos, so that Germany's task of conquering Russia would be' greatly facilitated. It was the existence of German plots in Russian Court circles that brought about the downfall of the Czar, and the same pernicious canker has been eating its way into the political life, of the new Russia. 'Hero ive have an illustration of an evil force acting like a double-edged sword. The revolution was the outcome of intense anti-German feeling, and yet the extremists (or irreconcila'bles) are allowing the German schemers to try and wreck the people's Government. It seems almost incredible that men could be found to lend themselves as tools for such bare-faced tricksters as the disseminators of German propaganda. The moral of the old fable of the dog and the shadow is of as great import as it was in the days of Aesop. The spirit exhibited by the moderates is beyond all praise. They knew only too ■well the extent of the German plotting in Russia ,and tho corrupt influence it had exercised on those entrusted with the government of the country during the late regime. In their wisdom they saw that democratic government could not possibly be systematised so as to produce the most beneficial results for the people until the German menace was utterly obliterated, hence the determination to first win the war by a decisive defeat of the enemy which threatened the very existenco of the, nation, and then turn their attention to tho development, of democratic institutions, unmolested by outside dangers, and actuated 'by a common impiulse to enter upon a new era ot freedom and which would enable the people to achieve the great destiny Which is the rightful heritage of such a vast and 'rich country. All would have gone well but for the troublesome dupest k)f German schemers, whose aim was to; create ..disunion, so that {Russia would ,bei rent asunder by her* internal and external enemies. Fortunately, the disillusioning .process has now set in, and it is toMbe. hoped that ib will not be long before Russia speaks withunited voice iu favor of a (vigorous prosecution of the war, 'Which all far-seeing Russians recognise is to lay -the foundations of the future greatness of the country. Meanwhile tjme presses and the Germans are ■making threatening movements towards ■Petrograd. It is gratifying tt> note that tho policy, of the moderates is gaining ground' -in spite of enemy plots. The absurdity of agitating for a peace without annexations and indemnities is daily being emphasised. Russia is in urgent need of free access to the open sea, and that can only (be obtained iby annexation!, for .it must be patent to every Russian patriot tlmt the Dardanelles must be their route to the world'B markets. The dark clouds seem to be rolling away, and ortue the extremists are reduced to an impotent and negligible quantity, tho Russian giant should .get into his stride aind give.-a good account of his immense strength at the crucial stage of the igreat'flvar. Tho ominous news as to the .internal state of Germany should act as a stimulus to immediate action.