The Daily News. MONDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 1017. RUSSIA'S DARK HOUR.

Taranaki Daily News, 12 November 1917, Page 4

The Daily News. MONDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 1017. RUSSIA'S DARK HOUR.

The condition into which Russia has fallen is so chaotic and deplorable that it almost defies the usual methods of analysis. Not since the dramatic announcement of the Czar's dethronement has there been such a sensation created as by the news of Kerensky's downfall eclipsing as it does the Korniloff incidents which at one time threatened to become extremely gfrave. Matters have come to such a pass in Russia that sensations may be expected to follow one another with startling rapidity. The whole nati<s> is unhinged and rnauv conflicting forces are ,-fc work, dit vim '.t« paH/tost* lar aims, the attainment of which appears to be of far greater importance than tho safety and solidarity of the country. This grasping at the sliadow and losing the substance is one of the outstanding features of most revolutions. For the time being, law and order are out oi action, and as a consequence lawlessness is rampant. There is scarcely anything that could happen in Russia—except th« institution of a strong, stable government—that would come as a surprise to the outside world. Latest accounts of the condition of the country show matters have been getting worse day by day. From time to time the cables have in-fonr-d us of the brigandage, lootings and lather atrocities committed by soldiers and others with comparative impunity, but only those who know by actual experience what is taking place in various parts of Russia can realise the terrible state of affairs into which the country has been plunged for th# want of a strong and firm government. While Russia's defection from the Allies' cause evokes our indignation, her sorry plight arouses our utmost pity, for there seems to be no hope of any improvement for a long time to come, unless there should arise a strong man with indomitable will, courage and administrative ability sufficient to attract all law-abiding citizens to his standard and to repress all disloyalty. :Such a dictator, however, is not in sight, and even if ho came upon the scene it is doubtful if his life would be worth a moment's purchase. The aristocracy and educated classes have been bravely sacrificing their lives daily by hundreds against the enemy, while workers and anarchists have been arguing in committees and scheming for a taste of power. Kerensky promised Well at the outset, but he, too, was more bent on securing popular favor than 011 repressing the cankers that have been eating their way into the body politic of his country. He, also, has indulged in much talking when action was imperative, with the result that to-day he is flung fromg his pedestal by the extremists and forced to seek refuge in flight. Recent arrivals from Russia assert that the best men in the country are loyal to Russia and will fight against Germany to the last ditch. They are even eager to get to the United •States to join the American army to fight against the common enemy of tho Allie*. and there are hundreds of thousands of pensnnt land owners whose loval- • to good government is unquestionable. There is no difficulty about the best men; the whole of the trouble is caused and fostered by the worst and most lawless meinljrrs of the community. It is said that the interior cities and villages are filled with Russian troops who refuse > tight, officers being murdered daily, and tile («ovornnient lifts ])P'>n powerless to do more than promise to investigate. The latest movement of the Maximalists ■has given them the upper hand in Pctro--51 ail anil as tliey have the command of the lelagraph system ami can thereby control the. use of this means of eommnmcnting what is happening, it is noccssiirv to accept with caution all news now coming from the capital. For ages

the Russian masses have boon cowed into docility and it is the only process t'hoy understand. As to the matter of making peace terms with the, enemy the, idea seems under present circumstances to be utterly absurd, for the extremists who have seized the reins in Petrograd are merely a section of irresponsibles devoid of all authority. What takes place in the capital does not reveal conditions throughout Russia, and in the light of the recent manifestations of loyalty to the Allies by the Don Cossacks it is •ardly likely the real fighting power of Russia will allow the rabble to treat with the enemy for a peace that would manifestly be a faree. At present the anarchists are in the linelight, and are making the fost of their opportunity in gaining over the soldiers to their cause, but the liaiser lias distinctly given an indication, in connection with the sensational episode at Riga, that if Russia comes under his control, the Czar will be restored to sovereignty, and an end put to the revolution, as Oell as to Russia s freedom. Unless the Russians come to theiv senses in time, there bids fair to be a terrible future in store for themselves and their country.