The Daily News. THURSDAY, JANUARY 10, 1918. AUSTRO-GERMANY AND RUSSIA.

Taranaki Daily News, 10 January 1918, Page 4

The Daily News. THURSDAY, JANUARY 10, 1918. AUSTRO-GERMANY AND RUSSIA.

If any credence is to be placed in th'j statements alleged to have been recently made by Count Czernin to an interviewer, another illustration is afforded of the duplicity of the Central Powers in their dealings with other nations. The Brest Litovsk conference, wnich has ended in a collapse, was entered upon ostensibly to arrange peace terms on a "no annexation" basis, and yet Count Czernin is reported as stating that as the re- ■ suit of the negotiations the. map of Europe would be completely changed in Austria's favor and that there would no longer be any frontier between Russia and , the Austrian monarchy from Bukowina to Silesia. Moreover, he appeared to be confident that the independence of Poland would bring the Poles into the Austrian monarchy and that the borders of Russia would be removed hundred of miles. It seems almost incredible that at the time when it was essential to the success of the schemes of the Central Powers that Russian fears should be allayed, Count Czernin should have blurted out tho secret hopes of Austria in the direction of an enlarged monarchy, which practically means extended German domination. It is as well, however, that the policy of the Austro-Germans with regard to Russia should be indicated now rather than hereafter, so that the Russian pacifists may know into what sort of a trap they are falling, Fortunately the peace negotiations have fallen through, and the forceful exposition of the Allies' aims, aj set forth by the British Premier, have brought about a diversion that may enable Russia to recover her sanity. Very little heed need be paid to the recriminations between the Germans and Austrians, though they indicate a lack of that unity and fellowship which is said to exist amongst the criminal class; nor | it is advisable to pay much attention to the split between the pan-Germans and | the Moderates In all probability these side issues are the outcome of intense strain and possibly not devoid of the element of fear for the future. That the Central Powers are desperately in need of peace is beyond dispute and the Russians appear to be prepared to go to great lengths to come to terms, but there is no royal road to realise this desire. The recent pronouncement by Mr. Lloyd George appears to be entirely I acceptable to-<the Bolsheviks, and if they would only be guided by the Allies they woukl have good reasons to be satisfied with the result. Unfortunately the majority of the Russians are so ignorant that they regard the destruction of all existing political, industrial, social and other forms as essential to the regeneration of humanity, and they believe that all the nations, Germany included, will readily follow the Russian lead. It is extremely difficult to deal with such visionaries, but disclosures like those of Count Czernin, and demands like those made by the enemy at the peace conference should open the eves of even those ignorant enthusiasts 'to the net which is spread for their enslavement. It is perfectly clear that, as far as Germany is concerned, her eagerness to enter into peace negotiations was caused, not hy the desire to enable the Russians to devote their whole energies to internal affairs, but to obtain more troops for Western operations and to get j'rom Jtiussia all the food And raw material it was possible to obtain, even if the Bus-

sians were reduced to starvation. There is not a particle of humanity about Gorman schemes. She 'baijly needs num power in the West, but still more pressingly needs the neutralising of the .Allied naval blockade. The 'Russians may cnrtainly rely on Germany striving to obtain by force what she cannot secure by fraud or other means, and if she is pre-

vented obtaining food stuffs, coal and oil in Bussifi, it will not be by the I!ol=heviks, but. by the Cossacks and Ukrainians who have already placed an embargo on wheat for Pct-rograd. The more the position is analysed, the clearer become? the conclusion that Germany's troubles in. Russia are only commencing, though it is equally evident that Russian exhaustion is rapidly becoming more pronounced. While the Russians are fighting among themselves and intensifying this exhaustion the Central Powers arc scheming how to divide the country if they get the chance. There is only one way in which Russia can be saved and that is by tile prompt recognition of the manifest dangers by which she is surrounded, within and without. With the full knowledge of enemy designs it behoves the Russian people to abandon once and for all the idea of making terms with the enemy who has no regard for truth, honor or fair dealing. The breaking off of the negotiations may prove the salvation of Russia from German domination.

HJKEKURA PARK. We are pleased to see that, the Pukekura Park Board is turning its attention to further improving its beautiful -grounds ij.V establishing a fernery. Mr. C. E. Bellringer brought up the matter at Tuesday's meeting, remarking that the Parkoffered facilities for establishing a fernery second to none in cS~ew Zealand. Taranaki is perhaps more favored than any other part of New Zealand in regard to ferns, the favorable climate, of course, being mainly responsible. Sixty-four varieties are indigenous to the province out of a little over a hundred varieties existing in the whole of the Dominion. There is no reason at all why all varieties should not have a place in the Park, which is already a botanical treasure house. It would be an additjpnal source of interest to visitors, and an educational asset for our own people, especially the children, who could not be interested in a more valuable or more engaging hobby. The gullies of the Park, not the least interesting feature of the grounds, are very suitable for a fernery. Mr Bellringer's idea is to utilise the gully just below the people's stand of the racecourse, and a more picturesque spot could not be found. Here there is the necessary water, the shade and accessibility. It will, of course, cost money. Mr. Bellringer suggests the public shorn bo approached for a definite sum for the purpose, and expresses the belief that the response will be ready and adequate. We are sure he is right, for the people of the town and district realise more titan ever what a glorious heritage and valuable asset they have in the park, and have never turned aside any appeal made on its behalf. A "Park Day" for the special purpose of the fernery could be made with the greatest confidence, and we trust the Board will interest the many institutions that have by the Park in the past and arrange a gala day or something of the sort to raise the necessary funds. -Let us add that in the present curator the town has a specialist whose heart and soul is in the grounds, and his knowledge and experience should be availed, of to a greater extent- than it has 'been. We would like to see Mm given the direction of all the scenic spots, reservations and beaches of the town—acting generally as town beautifier. There is no place where there is greater scope for ibis talents and no place that would respond more readily or lavishly.