RUSSIA.

Taranaki Daily News, 17 January 1919, Page 5

RUSSIA.

A LETT SOVIET REPUBLIC.

| FORMED AT RIGAI London, Jan. 13. I A Lett E jviet republic has been formed in Riga—Aus.-N.Z. Cable A woe. j FRIENDS OF ENTENTE EXECUTED. Petrograd, Jan. 13. j There have b«n fresh executions of friends of the Entente, including Admirals Stcsokin, i'ahler, and Kovalevaki.— Aus.-N.2i. Cable Assn. MOTHER WAR* WOBLEM OF RUSSIA. ACTIVITY IN LONDON; 'London, Dee, 25. That another "war is on hand is a grim fact the public is slowly realising. Thera is an outbreak in the newspapers of querulous protests and questionings concerning the of our policy in Russia, showing a general fear that a large campaign will be under!taken.

The Manchester Guardian says: — "There ia no sympathy in Berliil with the Russian Bolsheviks, but the working class and soldiers are alarmed lest our policy lead to a great and ever-increas-ing military interference in Russian affairs."

Government newspaper# point out thai it is impossible that Britain should leave the friendly Russians who are gathered in Murmansk and SiVaia under Hie British standard.

There ia some talk of another expedition in the Ukraine, whilst Esthonian appeals for assistance are bringing Allied naval and possible military assistance, though it is believed tliat the Germans are exaggerating the strength of the Bolshevik armies in Efatbooia. CENTRE OF RUSSIAN POLICY. Most important deliberations are proceeding in London, which has become the ceture of Russian policy owing to the French lukewarmness concerning fnture Russian expeditions. M. MHiulcoff has arrived in London through Turkey and France with a delegation representing the non-Bolshevik element. M. Kerensky and other former Russian loaders are available in London. It i 3 believed that Dr. Wilson's unexpected visit ia partly due to ihe United States commitments, and a desire to finalise the Russian ventures. Considerable activity is already noticeable, but whether Anglo-American action will develop into heavy warfare depends on early consultations. The Bolsheviks offered peace two months ago, and it i 3 believed tlir.t thuy are anxious to make a deal, being eagir tor recognition, food, and British and American materials. Liberal urge the Government to negotiate with the Bolshovika, recognwing that they have for 14 months been master in Russia, but the strongest controversy rages.

"APPALLING CATASTROPHE" M. MiliukoJ, a former Russian Foreign Minister, in tiie course of an interview, declared that Russia was threatened vrifch the most apprlling catastrophe in tiw history of the world. Allied intervene tion was aosolutely imperative. A small effort would have savod Rimsia a year ago, hut to-day a strong army was required. Allied Labor and Socialist opposition to intervention was due to an erroneous belief that Bolshevism was Socialism. Bolshevism was not economic progress, but a terrible set-back. Ninetyoina p&r ceut. of the population of Russia, including the moderate Socialists, favored Allied intervention. MILTOKOFF "UNNECESSARY." Le 'Matin says that M, Paul Miliukoff, the former Russian Foreign Minister, '.vaa obliged to leave Paris. Hiu presence was considered unnecessary, and he was accused last July o£ Germanophile leanings. A Washington message reports that the Ukrainian leaders in the United Statts suggest an American occupation of the Ukraine in order to stabilise conditions there. TAMING THE BEARBIG PROBLEM POR THE ALLIES. CONSOLIDATING LOYAL TROOPS. BOLSHEVIK STRENGTH OVERSTATED. London, Dec. 22. fieatcr learns from, an authoritative source that the whole question of Russia is under the serious consideration of the Allies. No plan, however, can be formulated, and nothing can be settled definitely until the matter is discussed with President Wilson.

It is fully realised that the Russian problem is most urgent, and it is hoped that it will be possible to discuss it with President Wilson in London with a view to prompt aetioH. The alarmist reports regarding the size of the Bolshevik army are considered ©yaggerated. Their actual fighting strength ia probably from 200,000 to 600,000. It is true that improved discipline has been introduced, but. only by means far more tyrannical than anything known under the old regime. For months it hag been impossible for opponents of the Soviet to express their opinions publicly.

FIGHTING THE BOLSHEVIKS. I All ihe anti-Bolshevik leaders have been forced to escape to Siberia or to the south. In this regio* are susanS) anti-Bolshevik Governments. In the Kuban district General Alesleff's volunteer army, now commanded by General Denikin, is valiantly fighting the Germans and the Bolsheviks. A Provisional Government has oeen established composed of moderate politicians like M. Sazonoff, with the Cadets (Constitional Democrats), and moderate. Social-Revolutionaries. The Alliej are, Ui touch with this Government, wliich possesses a most efficient ariay of 100,000 and a British military mission has been ' despatched to enquire into' tho position. In the Don district is another antiBolshevik Government. Here General I ICrasnoff's army is operating under the political control of M. TfarlAmnff » jfod., iarafin

UNITING THE LOYAL RUSSIANS. This Government if. in elose «s:ocifc tion with 'he Kuban Government, an( both cooperate with the Provisional G*» verument in the Crimea. The position in the Ukraino is moat complicated. Theio >.oa recently fighting ai ICicff between General DenikinV volunteers and certain Ukrainian separatists commanded by Pethura and Via. michenko. Genera] Denikin's troopi were compelled to retire iiom KiefT, whid IV'Uiurn entered with his motley band*. Tliirre is reason to hope tliat tho policies of the A will promote unity between various Governments in Sentient Russia. A later satisfactory aeeelopment h&i besn the steady flow of eminent loyal Russians of all parties in the direction *■ of London and Paris for the purpose at establishing an organisation to deal with Bolshevik problems, and to be at hind during iJie Peace Conference. 1 WOULD POISON ALURD TROOPS. neuter's correspondent at Copenhagen reports that the Danish Minister to BWb Bia.i who lias arrived from Petrograd, i states that the Bolshevik Government tally understands that the only potrihO* ity of maintaining its existence He* fan an international revolution. The Bolsheviks say that if the occupies the Baltic Provinces tin Ukraine, they -will be able to zWolotiouise the French and British troops as they revolutionised the German troojMt Their only fear is lest the Enlentfrghooß occupy Petrograd ar.d Moscow The Minister states that thousands Ot disb&uded Chinese soldiers have joined the Red Guards in Ri:isia. A batch of Chinamen who were recently repatriated from Russia included a number of traim cd revolutionary propagandist#. Immediate Allied intervention wifli Russia would set meet with modi r»* sistancc.