The Daily News. THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 1918.

Taranaki Daily News, 12 September 1918, Page 4

The Daily News. THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 1918.

"BOLSHIE" POLITICIANS. One of the most remarkable actions of the present time is that which Mr. Havelock Wilson (secretary of the British Seamen's Union) has taken in appealing for funds to enable the Merchant Seamen's League to fight, at the general election, and oppose every "Bolshie"—defeatist or pacifist—whether lie belongs to the Labor or any other party. Bolshevism is not by any means confined to Russia, for its main features may be traced in almost every country on the globe. It is a form of extreme Socialism that seeks to grasp power, and ride rough-shod over labor, capital, industry, landholders and the possessors of this world's goods. In Britain, according to Mr Havelock Wilson, the Bolshies control the Labor Party's machinery and political funds, hence the danger that he is desirous of averting. It must uot be supposed for a moment that Mr. Wilson's campaign has any reference to military operations; rather is he (as well as others) alarmed at the insidious and unscrupulous means which have stamped Bolshevism as being almost—if not quite—as dangerous as German peaceful penetration. It is over twelve months ago since the Socialist "Vorwaerts" de-| clared that "in the eyes of the majority of the white and yellow in-

regarded as the tyrannical and despotic conqueror, and her .en-; envies are considered to be liberators." As the result of the Russian revolution, and the American declaration of war this tempest of world opinion has assumed the proportions of a hurricane. To-day there is everywhere a more intense detestation «f German policy, and an equal hatred of Bolshevism, while the determination to sweep both away has certainly greatly strengthened. Our civilisation can only stand a strain up to a point* so that one of two things must happen—either it will break, or the causes of pressure must be removed. The evil which the very patriotic secretary of the Seamen's Union regards as being so great as to need drastic treatment is by no means confined to the Labor Party. It is to be found among the members of other parties, and as it mainly aims at the seizure of power as a prelude to carrying out its selfish policy, it is naturally alluring to those who possess the weakest traits, much as moths are drawn to the flame of a candle. It is significant that Mr. Arthur Henderson, a Labor leader, and at one time a member of the British War Cabinet, is disappointed at the attitude of the German Socialists, though it is difficult to find a satisfactory reason why he has failed to understand that they are Germans first and Socialists last. The attitude of Socialists in enemy countries has been perfectly clear throughout the struggle. They endorsed the war, they rejoiced at the prospect of easy victory and rich booty, and it is only when their illusions are on the road to destruction that they have altered their tune. Here, again, is an illustration of the attraction of power and profit, with an aftermath of anger at being foiled—this being strikingly illustrated by the present attitude of the Bolsheviks against France and Britain, merely because, in the best interests of Russia, they are seeking to uproot Bolshevism and all it stands for. There is a remarkable similarity in many things between German despotism and Bolshevik anarchy. Both are doomed to destruction, and it is equally necessary to eliminate Bolshie tactics from the political life of the universe. It is a canker that needs uprooting before the body politic is injuriously affected.