The Daily News. FRIDAY, JANUARY 4, 1918. THE BOLSHEVIK PEACE FARCE.

Taranaki Daily News, 4 January 1918, Page 4

The Daily News. FRIDAY, JANUARY 4, 1918. THE BOLSHEVIK PEACE FARCE.

Since the inauguration, of the Brest Litovsk conference between delegates representing the Bolsheviks and the Central Powers, there has been much beating of the air by Trotsky, who loses no opportunity of self advertisement and not infrequently poses openly as a dictator to the Russians, the Central Powers and the Allies. It is not easy to ascertain exactly what has happened atthat conference beyond the agreement for an armistice. There were Russian demands, a declaration by Count C'zernin (doubtless inspired by German schemers) and blatant pronouncements by Trotsky. Though all the maze of pacifist moves there is not a single definite statement of Germany's peace cr war aims, but there are not wanting signs which indicate how desperately the Central Powers are working for peace —a German made peace, marking the enemy's triumph. Germany holds the Bolsheviks under the whip, but these craven-hearted conspirators tl" not represent Russia, nor have they any mandate from the people to barter away Russian rights or confiscate the property of Riii-'in landholders and bankers. They have seized the reins of Government in Petrograd, but the Cossacks, the Ukrainians, the Fins, and the whole of the middle and upper classes of the country are more or less at war with these spoliators and power seekers, It is quite clear that Germany is using these extremists as a means to an end, and from the way in which Trotsky is threatening the Allies it would seem as it he were subsidised to act in Germany's interests by bringing pressure to bear on the Entente Powera to enter upon peace negotiations. Any attempt to reach the Allies through Russia must inevitably fail, if only for the very potent reason that the Bolshevik Government has no standing in the alliance, and Germany is well aware of this fact. The hypocr : -y of the Austro-German proposals is so manifest that M. Piehon, in his reply to the French Socialists interpellation, alluded to them with scorn. The Bolsheviks appear to be bent on dismembering Russia and putting back the era of freedom indefinitely, perhaps for very many years. In dallying with the Germans they have been playing with fire that will devastate the country. it could hardly be expected that this band of conliscators of other people's property would approach the question of restoration and rehabilitation of Belgium, Servia, France, Roumania and other nations with any sense of justice or humanity. They are well fitted to be associated with the unscrupulous Iluns. In their demands at the conference there was not I f word about restoration or reparation, lhat conquered territories should be ii4aouated and political independence re |stored. They have nothing to lose, but hope to fatten on the plunder of their own countrymen. It was not only an easy, but a congenial task that Count Czernin had in replying to such demands. Troops could be withdrawn from occupied territory; there was no intention to deprive any nation of political independence; no indemnities to be paid, anci p. reversion to the status quo before the war This is on a par with the Turkish proposal join the Allies if they g?.ve up the territory they had conquered. The Daily Chronicle's Petrograd correspondent was quite right when he stated that the trend of the. conversations showed that Germany only looks upon On- negotiations as a means for opening intercourse with the Allies with the object or a ■.ciii-'ral peace, hcn<v the Germans

insist tliev must have ib-ir colonies back. This Bolshevik pea.e !.ii)\e ain't the defection aS Rumua. caa only have

the effect of stiffening the Allies' resistance ami confirming their decision to continue tile struggle until they can dictate the terms of a petite that will lie iluri able and effective. destitution without reparation and reliable safeguards cam not be entertained for a moment. The Allies have no power to prevent the liolsheviks from ruining Russia if tliey are not crushed before it is too late to save the country from their disastrous activities. They are obsessed with the one idea of self-Government and are utterly callous as regards the sufferings of the victims of -Prussian military despotism and ruthlessnes.s. Germany, for the time being, is only too ready and anxious to withdraw her troops from Russia, for .Russia as far as the war is concerned is a'back number, and the German forces are needed to fight in the West and against Italy, but Germany has not done with Russia for she has avowed her intention of restoring an autocratic regime and then the full extent of the Bolshevik madness will be realised. The only question is whether the Allies can abandon Russia to such a fate. China and Japan are already facing this question which has particular interest for Japan, for it is in the vast undeveloped territory of Russia tllat Japan could find scope for industrial activity and expansion. Nothing but the victory of the Allies can save Russia, and the Bolshevik peace farce should arouse the saner portion of the Russian community to rally to the Allies and put an end to German hopes of ultimately dominating the cunntry. The Allies' war aims remain unaltered and the latest German threats and concentrations will be unavailing to alter the decision arrived at to continue the war to a victorious issue.