The Daily News. TUESDAY, MARCH 4, 1919. A SITUATION OF STARK HORROR.

Taranaki Daily News, 4 March 1919, Page 4

The Daily News. TUESDAY, MARCH 4, 1919. A SITUATION OF STARK HORROR.

For some time past there have been references in the cabled messages to all sorts of social, political and industrial upheavals, but the more recent of these indicates that the outlook is becoming more ominous and alarming.. "Whether or not Bolshevism is the cause of this plague is an open question. That it exists and threatens to become a serious menace to the nations must be admitted, and unless it is eliminated national life and activities will be completely paralysed. The foundation of the evil is undoubtedly to be found in that pernicious doetnne of freedom of action, wherein lies all the desire of unrestrained humanity for the exercise of power—the primal instinct of brute force as a means for obtaining selfish ends. The removal of the iron rod of autocracy has had the ( effect of unhinging the mental '.balance of those who heretofore .were mere slaves to the ruling powers, and when it is considered tliat the people of the countries have got out of hand,; it is little to be marvelled At thafc the ne®.

ly freed serfs of despotism have lost their heads in a maze of theories, without pausing to think of the chaos they are developing in the process of doing what they please. One of the great surprises in this upheaval is to be found in Germany, where the Sparta cists are striving their utmost to prevent the institution of a stable government. The much vaunted educational, system there appears to have done little more than give a keener edge to individual primitive instincts than in other countries. Under the despotic rule of the Hohenzoilerns Germany was a law unto itself, and the people have imbibed this principle so thoroughly that a Berne messag3 states that unless the Government succeeds in suppressing the growing revolutionary movement in central Germany the Government will be rendered virtually powerless and the National Assembly will fall. Strikes and riots are in full swing involving loss and damage, besides armed conflicts and casualties. According to the American correspondent, Mr Charles Russell, "Europe is on the verge of chaos, disruption and anarchy. Of four hundred million people, three hundred million are approaching acute destitution, and the world is faced by a situation of stark horror which is likely to strike at the structure of modern society." Turning to Russia it is stated that the Bolshevik army has grown to more than a million well fed and fabulously paid men, while the rest of the people are deprived of supplies, and it is significant that both in Germany and Russia there appears to be no remedy but Allied intervention. The Allies, however, have their own troubles, especially Britain, where not only is the industrial evil to be remedied, but the scourge of influenza is raging with terrible consequences. The Munich tragedies are another phase of the same disease which is eating the vitals out of the nations. The revolutionary transformations that are taking place are a distinct slur on civilisation, and it is obvious there must come a time when the present chaotic conditions must be dealt with effectively unless national bankruptcy and ruin are to he general. The lust of destruction did not end with the signing of the armistice; it only took new shape and form. The extremists saw their opportunity and were not slow to make use of it, but it is apparent that unless social, political and industrial peace is secured the sufferings caused by the war will be trifling in comparison to those which will result from a continuance of the insane tactics that are now rampant. The war against authority, law and order, is accentuated by the struggle which has for its' object the destruction of capital. It is a case of the blind leading the blind to disaster. There are certain laws which cannot be broken without causing grave peril to the community, and it is high time this fact should be generally recognised. Nothing is more disastrous than organised strife, whether it be political or industrial, and it is amazing that with the example of Russia, Germany, Bavaria and other countries offering such plain lessons, that no heed is taken of the undermining of national happiness and prosperity by revolutions which can only end in destruction. At no time in the world's history has there been such a pressing need for constructive methods as is the case now. The colossal drain on national rej sources has made Mich great inroads upon all that makes for the good of the people, that one views with horror (he attenuating pro':ess which is heedlessly proceeding. Even in New Zealand, far I removed from the s.'.orm centre of .European strife, (here is unrest that should nrl exist Look where you will there seems to be seething f.wblo, din'erinp' only in form and extent from the chaos and cri-ae of Russia. It has been as.cwo'ted that these upheavals are merely a passing phase, but Ihoy j bid fair, if not cheeked, to be-

»ome a permanent menace that will play havoc with all the nations. Unfortunateiy the evil has taken a firm grip of the extremists: it appeals to them with telling force, hut what; are the sane, sober-minded people doing? Mostly marking time in the hope of gaining material advantage at the exnence of solidarity and cohesion. With the era of pence there is needed an ago of wisdom and toleration, beside?, the recognition bv the masses that criminal selfishness will react on them. There are hardships to b? remedied and differences to be adjusted, but before an improvemmt is reached that will be solid and permanent sanity and reason must be enthroned where license and chaos new reign.