The Daily News. MONDAY, JANUARY 6, 1919. INTERVENTION IN RUSSIA.

Taranaki Daily News, 6 January 1919, Page 4

The Daily News. MONDAY, JANUARY 6, 1919. INTERVENTION IN RUSSIA.

The cable news concerning happenings in Russia is so unreliable that it is impossible to arrive at any satisfactory conclusion as to the actual position of affairs there. It is, however, quite clear that chaos and terrorism prevail, and the indications are that until the Bolsheviks are crushed there will be no improvement in this deplorable state of affairs. How long that will be is beyond conjecture. Some months back it was stated that the Bolshevik regime was on the verge of collapsing, but subsequent events have proved that these terrorists are far from being played out. From time to time appeals have been made to the 'Allies to put an end to the causes of disorder and anarchy in Russia, at first to prevent Germany becoming dominant there, and subsequently to give the sane portion of the community a chance of establishing a stable government. While the Allies were engaged in the war it was not to expected they could spare any adequate force to restore order in Russia, but even then a small body of troops was sent to northern Russia. The cessation of hostilities has now taken place and it would be possible to render the necessary aid to effectually deal with the Bolsheviks, but there arises the question as to whether it would be politic to take such a course. Jn this connection it is worthy of note that the French Foreign Minister (M. Pichon), speaking recently in the Chamber of Deputies, after referring to the .fact that French •- troops had landed at Odessa, and that other forces had gone to Archangel and Siberia and had cleared the transSiberian railway as a potential means of intervening at any moment, added:

"The Allies aim at preserving the healthy portions of Russia against the Bolsheviks, but the strictest orders have been given to the military chiefs that the effort necessary to crush Bolshevism must be made by the Russian forces." As an exposition of policy this statement by M. Pichon is based on sound, lines, but it is evident that the Russian forces, must first be organised and equipped before they can be of service. That work cannot possibly be carried out without the aid of the Allies and the presence of a sufficient force to instil confidence into the Russians as a foundation for a determined effort to eliminate the forces of anarchy. . Against this view M. Pichon put forward a very cogent argument when he said: "Any peace that allows Russia in a state of civil war with the present hateful and abominable government cannot be a peace of justice. We would be constantly threatened with a resumption . of hostilities.'' The scourge that is now afflicting Russia needs drastic measures , for its removal. The Czechs are doing their utmost. but their resources are very inadequate for such a great task. Both Prance and Britain have large interests in Russia, and for weighty reasons affecting the world's peace, it is necessary that order and good government should be established there. It may reasonably be assumed that progressives, moderates and all sane and enlightened Russians would welcome'intervention, and would assist as far as they could in defeating the forces of,disorder. At the same time it would only be right that the Allies should be given reliable guarantees in this, direction before rendering aid by means of large military forces, and it should be distinctly understood that Russia will defray all the expenses attendant on intervention. Once they get the Bolsheviks out of Petrograd and Warsaw their subsequent elimination should not prove a lengthy operation if the requisite energy is exercised by the Russians themselves. The problem of restoring order throughout the country is. a large and difficult one to solve. The British fleet now in the Gulf of Finland could cover the landing of a force that would suffice as a founda-: tion for Russian self help and independence on safe lines. If the various raees who are striving for independence would first Unite in stairping out the evil of Bolshevism, they would speedily attain the end in view, but it is too i much to expect from them in view fil tkeir, low, order of intelligence.

and liigh. development of mistrust and suspicion. I£ they would only trust the Allies to give them a fair and square deal in the dire n tion of attaining their just hopes and aspirations, the outlook would be greatly improved and the chance of success would certainly incline the Allies to entertain the question of intervention seriously and favorably. They are well aware that Russia cannot be left to tear itself to shreds, and there are indications that action of some sort will be taken. This is supported by a recent statement made by the official war correspondent witjli the New Zealand forces, who said that "if the Allies send a force to Russia, there will be no New Zealand contingent, and it is understood that any New Zealanders volunteering will have to join the British Amy," There is a significance about this statement which would seem to imply that intervention is taking shape. Whether or not America would join in the effort is not quite clear, but the more closely the situation is examined the more insistent becomes the claim fdr rendering aid to place Russia on her feet in the near future, but it is unlikely that any concerted steps will be taken until after peace is signed, and by that time climatie conditions will be more favorable than at present. With Russia restored to sanity and good government the long looked for era of peace may be regarded as having definitely set in.