The Daily News. WEDNESDAY, JULY 3, 1918. RUSSIA.

Taranaki Daily News, 3 July 1918, Page 4

The Daily News. WEDNESDAY, JULY 3, 1918. RUSSIA.

Can Russia be saved from Germany, and how ? These are questions that are exercising the minds ot' statesmen in Britain, America, Japan, and possibly other countries. It is a difficult problem to solve because the situatictn has grown from bad to worse and has drifted into a veritable tangle. The sympathy and good will of the Allies is with the Russians in spite oE their being led away so easily on the wrong path, and the trouble is that unless action is takeu promptly and decisively it may be too late to be of service. Kerensky's presence in London has given a sensational element to the chaotic drama, though there is a touch of pathos about his distress for iiis country and its people. How much of the latest rumors concerning momentous happenings in Bussia can be credited is

impossible to conjecture. If Korniloff, at the head of an anti-Bolshc-vik array, has occupied Moscow, it the Bolshevik Government hay fallen and Lenin, with Trotsky, compelled to flee, then the Allies may well be satisfied that the outlook is more consonant with their wishes, but the news seems almost too good to be true, and it would be only prudent to await its confirmation. We ventured to predict many months ago that it was only a question of time before the Russian people would realise that the Bolsheviks were selling the country to Germany and placing the Russians under a far more oppressive yoke than they ever experienced under the iron rule of the Romanoffs. Apparently that time has now arrived, and the most powerful elements of tTiis seething maelstrom of warring factions are struggling against Bolshevism. The more the situation is studied, the clearer becomes the fact that nothing but force can be applied to bring about an end of the present turmoil and establish a form of government that will command the respect and obedience of the people. Above all a strong, resolute, brainy leader is needed, and neither Kerensky nor Korniloff come within this category. Although the Russian military organisation has ceased to exist, there must be an enormous mass of men of proved military valor and fidelity to law and order who would rally round a leader they could trust to drive out the enemy and rehabilitate the country on democratic lines.. The Bolsheviks have had their fling, sold Russia's birthright, caused the people to be starved, plundered, and butchered, so that their exit from power by force would open the way to a repudiation of their base treachery at Brest Litovsk and in allowing the Germans to become masters of the situation. Fortunately there exists a powerful backing of army leaders who have continued the struggle against the enemy, and, in their loyalty to their country, are quite prepared to re-establish law and order and drive the enemy out of Russia. It is not, however, so easy to co-ordinate the varying aims of these leaders so as to present a united front. Their patriotism cannot be impugned, hut their trust in one another is at a low ebb, yet under a supreme leader, who inspired them with confidence, they could speedily organise an army that would attract all the law-abiding men to their standard, and in time place Russia on her feet. In all probability they would not find the task of dealing with the lawless section of the community very, difficult, especially if they adopted a judicious system of propaganda that would convince the waverers of the necessity for restoring chaos to order, securing the overthrow of the enemy and opening up a new era that will be worthy of the country. What help the Allies can give will assuredly be forthcoming, but in the present state of affairs they find it extremely difficult to proffer assistance, by reason of inability to see their way clear as to the best steps to take. Manifestly, until there is an acceptable authority in Russia able and willing to make the best use of any help that is possible. no move can be made. America is disposed to assist towards reestablishing stable economic conditions, but not to provide an armed force. Japan, also seems unable to decide as to her action, for a similar reason to that which perplexes the other Allies, Then there are the Czechs and Slovaks, who in large numbers deserted to the Russian armies from the Aus-tro-German forces early in jthe war, and who subsequently allowed themselves to be captured rather than fight against their Slav kinsfolk. The formidable opposition they have developed afainst the Bolsheviks and the Central Powers fits them for acting' Avith the Cossacks and the remnants of the forces controlled by Alexieff, Brussiloffi and Kornilofi in defeating Bolshevism as veil as the common enemy. Nothing can save Russia but the institution of military force, and the elements of that force are available for the purpose, only a masterful leader is needed, and then the Allies Avill be justified in giving all the assistance at their command, while America may be relied upon to do her part. Without a supreme authority Russia is like a ship without a helm. There is no need to dwell on the wasted opportunities of the past. It is the present and the future that demand attention. R ussia has suffered heavily from misrule and anarchy, but under firm discipline should emerge victorious and trimripbant, as well as chastened. Hei.process ot curing the patient may be pamful, but this is in,table lf the cure is to be permanent.